Take the Scenic Road and Discover Blounek

Take the Scenic Road and Discover Blounek

South Africa, africa

Length

110 km

Elevation

1,643 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up for Blounek Pass! This beauty straddles the Western and Northern Cape provinces in South Africa, clocking in at a cool 1,643 meters (that's 5,390 feet!) above sea level.

You'll find it nestled in the Nuweveld Mountain Range, south of Molteno Pass and north of Roseberg Pass. Picture this: for most of the 110 km (68 miles), you're cruising alongside the eastern edge of the Karoo National Park.

Built way back in 1881, this stretch of the R381 offers a mixed bag of gravel and asphalt. You'll be travelling from Beaufort West (the Karoo's biggest town) all the way north to Loxton. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and soak in those vast Karoo landscapes!

Where is it?

Take the Scenic Road and Discover Blounek is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -30.0989, 22.6236

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Road Details

Country
South Africa
Continent
africa
Length
110 km
Max Elevation
1,643 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-30.0989, 22.6236

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