Otto Du Plessis Pass is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the Eastern Cape

Otto Du Plessis Pass is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the Eastern Cape

South Africa, africa

Length

50 km

Elevation

2,115 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Otto Du Plessis Pass! Located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, this beauty climbs to a cool 2,115m (6,938ft). Think classic gravel road vibes – we're talking intrigue, a bit of danger, and views that'll make your jaw drop.

Keep an eye out for the 2-meter stone obelisk at the summit, a memorial dating all the way back to 1959. The pass is named for the politician Otto du Plessis.

The entire 50 km (31 miles) route, stretching from Clifford to Deochandorris, is unpaved. A normal car can handle it if the weather’s on your side, but a 4x4 with some ground clearance is your best bet when the rains hit and things get muddy.

The summit views are seriously panoramic, and the descent winds you through gorges, forests, and pure wilderness. On a clear day, you can soak up views for miles over the Tsomo Valley and the Drakensberg escarpment. Rumor has it you can even spot the Indian Ocean way off in the distance!

Where is it?

Otto Du Plessis Pass is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the Eastern Cape is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -31.8182, 22.2472

Share this road

Road Details

Country
South Africa
Continent
africa
Length
50 km
Max Elevation
2,115 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-31.8182, 22.2472

Related Roads in africa

Where is Us-Hoogte Pass?hard

Where 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.

Jebel Ouamenzri: Driving the high R704 road to Agoudalhard

Jebel Ouamenzri: Driving the high R704 road to Agoudal

🇲🇦 Morocco

Okay, buckle up for an adventure to Jebel Ouamenzri! This insane mountain pass tops out at a dizzying 2,583 meters (8,474 feet) in central Morocco's Tinghir Province. We're talking deep in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, right on the iconic R704 road that connects the Dades Valley to the remote Agoudal plateau. The road's got a split personality! Leaving Boumalne Dades, you'll cruise on smooth asphalt through the stunning Dades Gorges. But hold on tight, because as you climb towards Jebel Ouamenzri, the pavement vanishes! Get ready for a rugged dirt and gravel track (piste). It's usually pretty firm, but expect a layer of loose gravel that'll keep you on your toes, especially on the steep bits. And heads up: there are zero guardrails and some seriously exposed drop-offs. Total focus is a must!

An Unforgettable Drive to Tizi n’Bou Oudiextreme

An Unforgettable Drive to Tizi n’Bou Oudi

🇲🇦 Morocco

Okay, fellow adventurers, buckle up for Tizi n’Bou Oudi, a seriously high mountain pass soaring to 9,166 feet in Morocco’s Drâa-Tafilalet Region. Seriously, it's up there with the highest roads in the whole country! You’ll find this gem nestled in Tinghir Province, right in the heart of Morocco. The R704, the iconic road snaking through the pass, stretches for 48 glorious miles from Boumalne Dadès up to Agoudal. And the adventure kicks off with a bang, winding through the legendary Gorges du Dadès. Now, listen up: the road starts paved as you leave Boumalne Dadès. But, trust me, you're gonna want a 4x4 for what comes next. This turns into a seriously rugged dirt road, a rollercoaster of hairpin turns, slick patches, and unforgiving gravel that demands your full attention. This route isn't for the faint of heart, with nerve-wracking drop-offs and zero guardrails. Perched high in the Atlas Mountains, Tizi n’Bou Oudi is usually open year-round. Winter can throw a wrench in the plans though, with occasional closures due to gnarly weather.

Where is Tizi N´Talghaumt?moderate

Where is Tizi N´Talghaumt?

🇲🇦 Morocco

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through central Morocco, right on the edge of the Middle and High Atlas mountains. You're tackling the Tizi N´Talghaumt pass, sitting pretty at 1,907m (6,256ft). This beauty marks the spot where Errachidia province meets Khénifra province. It's a 50.8 km (31.56 miles) stretch of sweet, paved road, Route Nationale N°13 (N-13), taking you from Ait El Abbass up to Midelt. Sure, it gets a little steep in places, but nothing your ride can't handle. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The views are insane: rugged cliffs, crazy deep gorges, and these valleys bursting with green. And the payoff? At the top, you're looking out over the whole world! Plus, if you're feeling adventurous, there's a little gravel road that’ll take you even higher to Aguerdn Zegzaoun Pass at 2,339m (7,673ft). Trust me, your camera roll will thank you.