How to drive to Masjiennek Pass in Mpumalanga?
South Africa, africa
55 km
2,090 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip lovers, let me tell you about the Masjiennek Pass in Mpumalanga, South Africa! This baby climbs up to 2,090 meters (that's nearly 7,000 feet!). It's one of the highest paved passes around, and the views of the Drakensberg escarpment? Seriously stunning.
You'll find it chilling just west of the Long Tom Pass, winding through the Makobulaan Nature Reserve. Think unique high-altitude plants and rugged, rocky terrain. The road itself (the R37) is smooth as butter thanks to some top-notch engineering.
But don't get complacent! This 55-kilometer (34-mile) stretch from Sabie (right on the Sabie River) to Lydenburg (aka Mashishing) is packed with more twists and turns than you can shake a stick at. Be ready for some serious inclines too, with gradients hitting 10% in places. And keep an eye on the weather – winter snow can make things a bit dicey.
Where is it?
How to drive to Masjiennek Pass in Mpumalanga? is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -31.9061, 21.1528
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 55 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,090 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -31.9061, 21.1528
Related Roads in africa
extremeDriving to Tizi n’Izdaden: A high-altitude 4x4 challenge in the Atlas Mountains
🇲🇦 Morocco
Deep in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, you’ll find Tizi n’Izdaden, one of Morocco’s highest and wildest mountain passes. At a staggering 2,832m (9,291ft), this pass throws down the gauntlet for any off-road adventurer bold enough to try it. You'll be traversing a seriously rugged desert landscape in the High Atlas range. It's one of the highest drives you can find in the country! Forget your average Sunday drive. This terrain is all loose shale, nasty rocks, and high-altitude dust devils. This is where your vehicle hits its absolute limits. You absolutely NEED a high-clearance 4x4 with skid plates and diff lockers. Anything less, and you're just asking for mechanical carnage and shredded tires thanks to the razor-sharp volcanic rocks that litter the entire route. Your adventure starts in the tiny, isolated village of Taaraart. From there, you've got 30 km (18.6 miles) of crazy, barely-there tracks to conquer. Finding the right way is a total head-scratcher; even with GPS, the shifting sands and a complete lack of landmarks will keep you guessing. The initial part is navigating those lower desert plains before the serious climbing begins. The highlight (or lowlight, depending on your perspective!)? Near the summit, the road throws a brutal set of 18 super-tight, super-steep hairpin turns at you. These switchbacks are carved right into the side of the mountain with absolutely zero safety barriers. You’ll need mad skills and nerves of steel. One slip on these rocky climbs, and you're taking a very unwanted slide down the scree slopes. Safety first, always! This area is seriously remote, so never tackle this alone. In the summer, expect scorching temps over 40°C, and the sun at nearly 3,000 meters is relentless. Pack a ton of water and emergency supplies; help could be hours (or even days!) away. Since there’s basically no actual road surface, landslides and rockfalls can change the route at any moment. And that crazy steepness near the end of the 30 km puts insane pressure on your cooling system and brakes. This is an adrenaline-fueled ride for experienced desert drivers only, those ready for the raw, untamed beauty (and brutality) of the Moroccan High Atlas.
hardDriving the wild unpaved road to Ouberg Pass in Western Cape
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, adventurers, listen up! I've got a killer route for you in South Africa's Western Cape: the Ouberg Pass. Just east of Cape Town, this isn't some boring highway cruise. Heads up, though, there are *three* Ouberg Passes in South Africa, so make sure your GPS is set for the Western Cape one! This pass climbs to a cool 1,014 meters (that's over 3,300 feet!). The road is all gravel, and while most vehicles can handle it, you'll definitely want to keep it under 60 km/h. It's got a pretty steady climb and drops almost 500 meters in just under 8 kilometers. Starting near Montagu, you're in for a 23-kilometer haul. Trust me, though, the views are totally worth it. Get ready for some serious South African scenery!
moderateHow to drive the paved R63 road to Ouberg Pass in Eastern Cape?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk about Ouberg Pass in the Eastern Cape of South Africa! This baby climbs to a cool 1,165 meters (3,822 feet) above sea level, and let me tell you, the views are worth every inch of elevation gain. Just a heads up, there are actually *three* passes in South Africa with the same name, so make sure you're headed to the one in the Eastern Cape, not the Northern or Western Cape! You'll be cruising along the R63, a fully paved road in great condition. Expect some twists, turns, and a few steep climbs, but nothing your average car can't handle. The scenery is absolutely incredible. This east-west route stretches for about 90 kilometers (55 miles), connecting Graaff-Reinet (a real South African historical gem!) to Murraysburg way over in the northeast of the Western Cape. Trust me, it's a drive you won't forget!
moderateAll About the Road to Oukaimeden ski resort
🇲🇦 Morocco
Alright, snow-seekers and adventure-junkies, listen up! Ever dreamt of skiing in Africa? Well, Oukaïmeden in Morocco’s Al Haouz Province is calling your name! Perched at a lofty 2,622m (8,602ft), they say this is Africa's highest ski resort, and one of Morocco's highest roads. Tucked away in the Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz region, you’ll find the resort nestled in the shadow of the majestic Toubkal Heights. And long before skiers carved up the slopes, an ancient civilization left its mark – keep an eye out for the petroglyphs as you roll into town! The journey itself is an adventure. The road, known as P2030, is a well-paved ribbon of asphalt that dramatically twists and turns through the stunning valley it’s named after, offering breathtaking views at every curve. Starting from Tamezindert on the P2017, the road stretches for 30.1km (18.70 miles), climbing a whopping 1,637 meters. Expect an average gradient of 5.43%, with some ramps hitting a maximum of 8%. Get ready for a scenic, winding climb you won’t soon forget!