Eselbank Pass in SA: 4x4 vehicles only

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Eselbank Pass (aka Kerskop Pass) in South Africa's Western Cape! We're talking serious mountain vibes at 978m (3,208ft) up in the Cederberg Wilderness Area.

Now, listen up: this ain't a Sunday drive in your average sedan. This 39.6 km (24.60 miles) track running from Wuppertal to Cederberg Oasis is mostly unpaved, and some sections are crazy steep (up to 1:5 gradient!), so a 4x4 is essential. Seriously, this is more track than road at times, especially when the weather turns sour. Parts are super narrow, so get ready to "make a plan" when you meet another vehicle.

Expect a 1.5-2 hour slow and steady trek. After you follow the low-level causeway, a sign warns you about taking the right fork with your 4x4. Then you climb a concrete base, hit a hairpin, and the road heads south, climbing steadily for another 2 km to the next switchback onto concrete. The second half is very steep, so take it slowly and enjoy the amazing views all around you. You'll be rewarded with weathered red Cederberg sandstone formations and a sandy track at the summit. Soon you will skirt some Rooibos tea plantations and experience some relatively easy sections. Be careful - the track can be soft and sandy, and if you are not in a 4x4, this section might give you problems. Before the sharp right-hand bend at the causeway at Eselbank, take a 200 meter detour to look at the Eselbank Waterfall.