Is the road to Mahlasela Pass paved?
Lesotho, africa
77.9 km
3,278 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the A1 in Lesotho's Butha-Buthe District, headed toward Mahlasela Pass. You're climbing to a whopping 3,278m (10,754ft) above sea level! This 77.9 km (48.4 miles) stretch from Qalo to Letseng-la-Terae is totally paved, though you'll find more potholes than tar the closer you get to Mokhotlong.
The road can get steep, with a max slope of 17%, and you'll be sharing the road with a fair amount of traffic, including some big rigs. Plan ahead though! This is the northern Highlands, so heavy snow can shut things down in winter – icy conditions can be super treacherous. But trust me, the views from the top are totally worth it.
The journey itself is stunning, think frozen rivers, breathtaking vistas, and seriously spectacular views. It’ll take you between 1.5 and 2 hours to drive, but remember, this road is your gateway to Lesotho's high-altitude adventure, including the Afriski Mountain Resort. It's said to be one of the highest road passes in Southern Africa, so get ready for an unforgettable ride.
Road Details
- Country
- Lesotho
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 77.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,278 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in africa
moderateWhere is Tizi n’Tadermant?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up! You absolutely HAVE to experience Tizi n’Tadermant, a seriously epic mountain pass clinging to the peaks of Morocco’s Drâa-Tafilalet region. Seriously, it’s sky-high, making it one of the country’s loftiest roads. Find it nestled west of Imilchil, high above Agoudal, right in the heart of Morocco. But a word of warning: this isn’t your average Sunday drive! We’re talking roughly ** miles of rugged road**. You'll need a 4x4 - seriously, don't even think about attempting this in anything less! The road can be rough, but the views are absolutely breathtaking. Just picture yourself winding through the mountains, surrounded by incredible scenery that stretches as far as the eye can see. Keep an eye out for the hazards, but focus on that view of Tislit Lake. Tizi n’Tadermant, running east to west from Agoudal, is an adventure you won't soon forget!
hardWhere is Skeleton Coast?
🇳🇦 Namibia
Located along Namibia’s hauntingly barren Skeleton Coast, in the country’s northwest, the Skeleton Coast Road is one of the most stunning drives in the world. Where is Skeleton Coast? The road is tucked away in the Skeleton Coast National Park, in the northern part of the Atlantic coast of Namibia, between the coast and the central plains, near the Angola border, in southwest Africa. Why is the Skeleton Coast famous? The coast is famous all over the world for the many shipwrecks which litter its shoreline. Nicknamed the world’s largest ship cemetery, the reason for the wrecks is the thick fog that occurs there when the warm air from the desert meets the cold moist air coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. Further north is the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. Can you drive to Skeleton Coast? The road, officially known as C34-D2302, is 437 km (271 miles) long. The surface of this road is sand and salt and runs south-north from the old German colonial town of Swakopmund to the tiny settlement of Terrace Bay. The road takes you through a desert area almost completely empty but for the occasional shipwreck embedded in the sand. The sense of being very close to the end of the world is overpowering. How remote is the road to Skeleton Coast? Along the drive, you’ll feel like you're on the edge of the world and surrounded by sand and very little else for miles and miles in all directions. Petrol stations are rare sightings along the road, so it is best to fill up with fuel whenever possible. The road, also known as the Skeleton Coast Freeway, is extremely lonely in a remote and little-visited place. Is the Skeleton Coast Road paved? The road along the coast is a "salt" road, which is smoother than an asphalt road and very nice to drive on. But when there is mist from the ocean, the road gets very slippery, a bit like black ice. The road comprises tarmac, gravel, sand, and even salt-paved. 4x4 vehicles only with sufficient spares and water. Is the Skeleton Coast Road dangerous? You are requested to drive, even in daylight, using your headlights to alert oncoming vehicles of your presence. The mirage effect along this coast is common. Following heavy mist, the salt road becomes very slippery. Please drive accordingly. In the unlikely event of it raining, you are advised not to make use of the road. There is little traction on the surface even for 4x4s. Salt and mud accumulate on the vehicle and are costly to remove. Driving on the road when it has been softened by rains will damage the surface even further, making it longer and more costly for the Roads Authority to repair the road to a serviceable condition. Do not attempt to drive across the salt pans, even in a 4X4. Although Namibia has used the metric system for over forty years, you will notice that all of the distance signs along the Skeleton Coast Road are marked in miles and not kilometers. Pic: Florian Habenicht Spreetshoogte Pass is one of the steepest (14%) roads in Namibia Van Zyl's Pass is the wildest 4x4 trip in Namibia 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.
moderateCrossing the scary Linyanti River bridge
🇳🇦 Namibia
Okay, picture this: You're in Namibia, way up in the Zambezi Region, smack-dab in the middle of Mamili National Park. You're about to cross the Linyanti River, but not on some boring, modern bridge. Nope, you're facing the Sangwali Bridge - a 40m stretch of iron planks suspended over a muddy, watery abyss. Honestly, it's less "bridge" and more "a dare to your suspension and nerves." This isn't for the faint of heart! But if you're up for an adventure, and have nerves of steel, the views are unforgettable. Just remember this baby ain't for sissies; it's a wild ride with unbelievable scenery. Just hold on tight!
moderateMount Kenya Ring Road
🇰🇪 Kenya
# Mount Kenya Ring Road: A Scenic Loop Around Africa's Second Giant Ready for an adventure? The Mount Kenya Ring Road is a stunning 330-kilometer loop that circles one of Africa's most iconic peaks—the snow-capped Mount Kenya at 5,199 meters. Spoiler alert: the views are absolutely worth the drive. What makes this route special is the incredible diversity you'll experience. Start on the wetter southern slopes where you'll drive through lush cedar and bamboo forests that feel almost otherworldly. As you continue around, you'll pass through some of Kenya's most productive regions—sprawling tea and coffee plantations in Nyeri and Meru where the morning mist adds to the magic. The northern side transitions into semi-arid bushland with a completely different vibe, while traditional farmland worked by Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities dots the entire route. The towns of Nanyuki, Meru, Embu, and Nyeri serve as your main stops along the way, and each offers its own charm. But honestly? The real stars are the viewpoints. On clear mornings—especially from the north near Nanyuki—you'll get those jaw-dropping views of Mount Kenya's twin peaks, Batian and Nelion, with their glaciated summits and dramatic rock spires piercing the sky. It's the kind of scenery that makes you understand why people become mountain photographers. Beyond the views, you'll have easy access to Mount Kenya National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and several community conservancies where you might spot elephants, buffalo, and if you're lucky, the elusive bongo antelope deep in the montane forests. This loop truly offers something for every kind of traveler.