Why is it called Barkly Pass?
South Africa, africa
62 km
1,473 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, so you're headed to South Africa's Eastern Cape? You HAVE to drive the Barkly Pass! This beauty climbs up to 2,018m (6,620ft) in the highlands, and it's named after some old governor dude, Sir Henry Barkly.
The road itself, the R58, is all paved and usually in good shape. But don't get too comfy! It's got some seriously steep sections and tight curves that'll keep you on your toes. Stick to the speed limit, and you'll be golden.
The whole pass stretches about 62 km (38 miles) from Elliot (Khowa) up to Barkly East, starting at 1,473 meters. It’s a pretty steady climb for the first 12 km, gaining over 600 meters, before you hit those hairpin turns leading to the summit.
Word of warning: this area is nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains, so winter can be brutal. Expect snow, ice, and possible road closures. Seriously, be careful – people have gotten into trouble here due to the freezing conditions. Check the weather before you go, especially if it's near winter! You don't want to be stuck.
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 62 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,473 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in africa
hardWhere is the R704 road located?
🇲🇦 Morocco
This Moroccan road is a wild ride through the High Atlas Mountains! We're talking about the R704, connecting the lush Dadès Valley to the remote northern plateaus, near Tinghir. Get ready for a serious climb! You'll hit a whopping 2,910 meters (9,547 feet) at the Tizi-n'Ouano pass! The total length is 122 km, but here's the kicker: the first 70 km from Boumalne Dades is smooth asphalt winding through incredible gorges. Then BAM! The next 52 km to Agoudal turns into a rugged, unpaved "piste"—think loose gravel, hard dirt, and sharp rocks. A high-clearance 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's mandatory! You'll be conquering some serious passes: Tizi-n'Ouano (the highest!), Tizi-n'Tinififft at 2,794m (9,166ft), and Tizi-n'Isly at 2,583m (8,474ft). Snow can shut this road down from November to April, so plan accordingly. Once the pavement ends, things get real. Expect hairpin turns with no guardrails and massive drop-offs. Much of the road is single-track. Watch out for sticky clay patches at higher elevations that turn into a muddy nightmare after rain. Flash floods in the lower gorges and rockfalls on the upper slopes are other things to consider. The sweet spot for driving the whole thing is late May to September, when the passes are clear of snow. If you're just exploring the Dadès Valley, March to May offers ideal temps. Fill up your tank and stock up on water before heading out. You won't find any services once you leave the gorges and head towards Agoudal!
moderateIs the road to Col de Timicha paved?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Tizi n' Timicha is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.397m (7,864ft) above sea level, located in Midelt Province of the Drâa-Tafilalet administrative region of Morocco. Is the road to Col de Timicha paved? Located in the central part of the country, the winding road to the summit, also known as Col de Timicha and Tizi Timicha, is fully paved but very steep. It’s called P7319. How long is the road through Col de Timicha? The pass is 20.3 km (12.61 miles) long, running west-east from Anfgou to Anemzi, via Tamaloute. Is the road to Col de Timicha dangerous in winters? Set high in the High Atlas, a mountain range in central Morocco in Northern Africa, the road through the summit is open to traffic throughout the year, may be closed for short periods in winter when the weather is bad. The higher parts of the High Atlas mountains receive snow during winter; however, it is relatively rare for roads to be blocked. Valleys may be susceptible to flash flooding from rain and in spring (from snowmelt). Driving the Scenic Road of 1,000 Kasbahs in the High Atlas A scenic paved road to Tizi n'Tinififft in the Atlas Mountains 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.
moderateTiffindell Ski Resort
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! South Africa’s got a secret, and it involves a ski resort – Tiffindell, the only one in the whole country! Getting there is half the fun, because you’ll be tackling one of the highest roads in SA, winding your way up to a whopping 2,780 meters (that's 9,120 feet!). You'll find this hidden gem nestled in the Eastern Cape highlands. The road’s a gravel one, usually in decent shape, but don’t let that fool you. You’re high up, exposed, and at the mercy of Mother Nature. Seriously, the wind here is NO JOKE! It howls year-round, and the weather can change in a heartbeat. Even in summer, you might find yourself staring at snow, which is pretty wild for South Africa, right? Winter? Brutal. Pack layers. Think freezing temps and potential snowdrifts. Tiffindell has been around since '93, so it’s got some history too! Just a heads up: fuel up in Barkly East because you won't find any in Rhodes or Tiffindell itself. Get ready for some epic views and a truly unique South African experience!
extremeDriving Morocco: From the High Atlas Peaks to the Sahara Desert Gates
🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco is road trip heaven! From the wild Atlantic coast to the spiky High Atlas Mountains and the dreamy Sahara dunes, this North African gem has scenery that'll blow your mind. Driving here is like stepping back to the 14th century, with ancient mountain tracks and legendary desert gateways at every turn. Headed south for a Sahara adventure? You'll probably find yourself on the N9 highway. This iconic road slices right through the mountains towards Ouarzazate, aka the "Gateway to the Sahara." But that's not all – Ouarzazate is also known as the "Hollywood of Morocco," thanks to the massive Atlas Film Studios. We're talking over 322,000 square feet of movie magic! Sure, Casablanca got its name on the map with that famous movie, but Ouarzazate is where modern epics like Gladiator, Star Wars, and Kingdom of Heaven were filmed. Driving through these desert sets, which are often open to explore, feels like time-traveling through different eras. Now, driving in Morocco is an adventure, but come prepared! While the main highways between cities like Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir are smooth sailing, those mountain passes in the High Atlas can get a little dicey. Expect sudden snowfalls in winter or flash floods in desert valleys (wadis) that can change road conditions in a heartbeat. Make sure your ride is ready for anything – from snowy mountain peaks to scorching desert heat!