
Driving the Paved Scenic Road to Garcia's Pass
South Africa, africa
68.5 km
548 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for Garcia's Pass in South Africa's Western Cape! This beauty climbs to 548 meters (1,797 feet) and is nestled north of Riversdale, right in the heart of the Garcia Nature Reserve.
The R323, a fully paved road, stretches for 68.5 km (42.56 miles) connecting Riversdale, a sweet coastal farming town, with Ladismith, further inland in the Karoo. Think winding roads, softened curves (thanks to some widening work!), and seriously impressive supporting walls built by convicts back in the day, some reaching a whopping 15 meters high!
Opened way back in 1877, this pass offers incredible views over the valley and is usually pretty quiet, so you can really soak it all in at your own pace. Get ready for a magnificent drive!
Where is it?
Driving the Paved Scenic Road to Garcia's Pass is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -31.5313, 23.9419
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 68.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 548 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -31.5313, 23.9419
Related Roads in africa
easyA memorable road trip to Gamsberg Pass
🇳🇦 Namibia
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Let's talk Gamsberg Pass in Namibia's Khomas region. Perched way up high at 1,867m (that's over 6,000ft!), this is one of Namibia's highest drives. You'll find it nestled in the Gamsberg Nature Reserve, right in the heart of the country. And trust me, the scenery is *chef's kiss*. They even call this the Garden Route of Namibia! Get ready for some serious off-roading, though. This 38.2 km (23.73 miles) stretch of the C26 Road – running from Kos to Weissenfels – is entirely unpaved. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically essential! Seriously, this pass is stunning. The views overlooking the Kuiseb River valley are unreal, making it one of the most scenic 4x4 routes you can find. Make sure you pull over at the top to soak in the panoramic views of the hills and the crazy winding road down to the desert. The Kuiseb River views from up here? Epic!
extremeA sensational road to Barkly Pass in the Eastern Cape
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Barkly Pass! Perched high in the Eastern Cape highlands of South Africa, this beauty clocks in at 2,018m (6,620ft) above sea level. Named after a bigwig colonial governor from way back when, it's steeped in history. The R58, as it's known, is paved, so no 4x4 needed! But don't get complacent - those gradients are STEEP and the curves are seriously sharp. Keep an eye on your speed, and you'll be fine. Stretching 62 km (38 miles) from Elliot (Khowa) to Barkly East, this pass is a proper climb. You'll gain a whopping 626 meters in just 12 km, after leaving Elliot at 1,473 meters above sea level. Think hairpin bends galore before you reach that summit! Nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains, be warned: winter here means SNOW. Like, serious snow that can shut things down. Cold weather + ice = a recipe for disaster, so take it slow. Expect closures when the first snow hits, especially between Barkly East and Elliot. But hey, the views are worth it!
hardWhere is Us-Hoogte Pass?
🇳🇦 Namibia
Us-Hoogte Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.878m (6,161ft) above sea level, located in the Khomas region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. Where is Us-Hoogte Pass? The pass is located in the central part of the country, on the outskirts of the Namib Desert. Is Us-Hoogte Pass unpaved? The road to the summit, also known as Us-Pass, is totally unpaved. It’s called D1982. The road is steep, hitting a 1:10 of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Corrugated sections are quite common. The road winds through several dry river courses which are sometimes impassable to sedan cars after heavy rains. It’s well worth a drive if you want to get dust on your car. How long is the road through Us-Hoogte Pass? The road is 201km (124 miles) long, running east-west from , south of Windhoek, to C14 road. Pic: http://mapio.net/pic/p-74163354/ Travel Guide to Sossusvlei Driving Namibia’s D707 Through the Namtib Desert Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateWhere is Tizi n'Tichka?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Tizi n'Tichka Pass in Morocco – get ready for a ride! This epic route climbs to a whopping 2,212m (7,257ft), straddling the Marrakesh-Safi and Drâa-Tafilalet regions, right in the heart of the High Atlas mountains. "Tizi n’Tichka" basically means "difficult mountain pasture" in Berber, which kinda tells you what to expect. This entirely paved ribbon of road, also known as Route Nationale 9, stretches for 54km (33 miles) between Zerkten and Agouim. It’s been around since 1936, carved out by the French army as a military highway. Nowadays, it’s your ticket from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. The pass is generally open year-round, but be warned: from November to March, snow can shut things down. Even when it's clear, the sun can be intense. Is it dangerous? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think winding roads, some a lane and a half wide, with a distinct lack of guardrails and seriously steep drops. Expect over 100 turns! The road quality varies – you might find yourself on a newly sealed section one minute, then bouncing along an older stretch the next. And the wind? Prepare to be windswept! A 2WD can handle it though. Mornings are your friend – hit this road early to beat the tour buses *and* the trucks. But, oh, the views! Each switchback reveals another jaw-dropping vista of the Atlas Mountains. At the summit, prepare to be wowed. Descending towards Ouarzazate, you'll glimpse the pre-Sahara landscape, a stark contrast to the majestic Atlas peaks. This road often gets blocked by snow in winter, making your kasbah (clay medieval fortress) journey all the more interesting. Plus, just near the pass, you'll find Aït Benhaddou, the famous kasbah where they filmed *Gladiator* (and tons of other movies). It's in fantastic condition, and still has families living there! You can even grab some minerals from the shops at the top. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience.