Where is Masjiennek Pass?
South Africa, africa
55 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! We're heading to Masjiennek Pass in South Africa's Mpumalanga province – a seriously epic, high-altitude adventure. This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking one of the highest paved passes around, with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Drakensberg escarpment.
You'll find this beauty nestled in the northeastern part of the country, a stone's throw from the iconic Long Tom Pass. "Masjiennek," which means something like "Machine Neck" in Afrikaans, winds its way through the Makobulaan Nature Reserve – think unique high-altitude plants and rugged, rocky vistas.
The R37 highway is your path, a fully paved ribbon of asphalt that's generally in tip-top shape, thanks to some seriously good engineering. But don't get too comfy; this road throws curveballs – literally! Expect endless twists and turns, and some seriously steep sections that will test your car's (and your) mettle. Keep an eye on the weather, too. Winter can bring snow, turning the asphalt into an ice rink.
This thrilling stretch of road clocks in at 55 km (34 miles), stretching between the forestry town of Sabie (right on the Sabie River) and Mashishing.
Heads up, though! Two things to watch out for: First, this area is notorious for sudden, super-thick fog. Seriously, visibility can drop to almost nothing in seconds. Second, the R37 is a major economic artery, so expect a good amount of traffic, including big mining and timber trucks. Overtaking needs to be handled with extreme care because of all the curves.
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 55 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
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