Bridges, Roads,Tunnels and Mountain Passes – Colour Dots

Adderley Street Cape Town

carynkaleido — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 09:26:36 +0000

In 1850, Adderley Street was so named in honour of Charles Bowyer Adderley, who supported the campaign against British plans to use the Cape as a penal colony for convicts. Residents renamed the street as a gesture of appreciation for his efforts. Adderley Street later developed into Cape Town’s main commercial and civic thoroughfare. Early banks, department stores and government offices were established here, making it a central part of the city’s business district. The street originally connected the Company’s Garden with the harbour, placing it at the heart of trade and daily activity. Later foreshore reclamation projects pushed the coastline further outward, changing its original relationship with the sea. Adderley Street was originally paved entirely with wooden blocks. By the 1900’s, the street had become very busy and noisy. The city planners paved it with wood in an attempt to muffle the noise. Traffic consisted of many wagons, carts and horses. A construction crew upgrading the city’s pedestrian and cycle lanes uncovered the closely fitted wooden setts (cobbles) while they were digging up the road surface in August 2010. Heritage Western Cape stepped in after the discovery was made to conserve part of the city’s history. Before the street was paved over, it was a Graaght(canal). Read the story of Cape Town’s water Find the flower sellers

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Attaquaskloof Ox wagon trail

carynkaleido — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 16:01:39 +0000

The Attaquaskloof Ox wagon trail was discovered in 1689. It has a long history and was one of the earliest recorded crossings of the Outeniqua mountains into the Klein Karoo. Khoi chief Hykon of the Inkgua people, who lived in the Klein Karoo, requested a trade visit from the European settlers at the Cape, who had by then been established for 37 years. The request was approved by Governor Simon van der Stel, who sent Ensign Isaac Schrijver of the Dutch East India Company and a party of 21 men on the journey. Travelling east along the old Kaapse Wagenweg before turning inland near present-day Mossel Bay, the expedition followed an established Khoi migration route through Attaquaskloof. Schrijver’s crossing became the first documented settler route over the mountains and took about a week to complete. Over time, Attaquaskloof became an important transport route into the interior and was later used by explorers, including Van Plettenberg and Van Reenen. For nearly 180 years, thousands of ox wagons passed through the pass carrying people and supplies. Until the Robinson Pass was built in 1869, the route was trampled by thousands of oxen dragging wagons. This is rated as one of the top 10 4×4 trails in Southern Africa. Interesting sights of historical significance are the ruins of an old toll house and an Anglo-Boer War blockhouse.

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Boyes Drive

carynkaleido — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 11:54:20 +0000

This road is a 7 km stretch of road along the mountain above the False Bay coast. It provides stunning sunrise and ocean views as well as an abundance of wildlife spotting opportunities. The building of the road was first started in August 1896 and was completed in 1929. It is now a wonderful scenic drive that stretches from Lakeside, over Muizenberg and St James, and through to Kalk Bay. During autumn and winter, you can watch for whales from the lookout points along the drive. There are many hiking trails in the southern peninsula and several start from Boyes Drive. This route is known as the M75. Staircase up to Boyes Drive History of Boyes Drive click here Hikes from Boyes Drive Muizenberg peak (above Muizenberg and via Pecks Valley trail) Pecks Valley (above Muizenberg) Ou Kraal Hiking trail (above Muizenberg) Bailey’s Kloof hike (above St James) Echo Valley hike (above Kalk Bay) Silvermine hiking trail (above Muizenberg & Lakeside) Silvermine Amphitheatre (above St James) See some other scenic drives and road trips and browse the complete Western Cape guide

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Clarence Drive

carynkaleido — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:55:23 +0000

Clarence Drive is a scenic coastal road stretching about 22 km between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-Els. It forms part of the R44 and is well known for its sharp bends and dramatic panoramic cliffside views of False Bay, the coastline, Table Mountain, and parts of the Cape Peninsula. The coast is popular with anglers and whale watchers. Kogel Bay Resort provides great surfing opportunities Before its construction, access to the Hangklip and Betty’s Bay. area was minimal. Supplies had to be transported over Sir Lowry’s Pass and across the Palmiet River. Two routes existed: the established Gantouw Pass over the mountains, used for centuries by migrating eland and by Khoi communities, and a rough track skirting the mountains near Cape Hangklip. The latter became known as a route favoured by escaped slaves, deserters, and others avoiding colonial authority. Access was still difficult in 1912, even after the Stony Point Whaling Station opened. Supplies from Cape Town had to cross Sir Lowry’s Pass, travel by ox-wagon to the Palmiet River, be ferried across by pontoon, and then continue to Betty’s Bay. The idea for the road was first proposed in 1940 by businessman Jack Clarence, who owned property in the area and played a key role in the development of Betty’s Bay. World War II accelerated the need for roads. The South African military had installed radar stations along the coast to monitor shipping and detect potential enemy movement. A road was needed to provide access to these installations. Much of the construction was carried out by Italian prisoners of war; South Africa held more than 60,000 at that time, and several hundred were sent to the Hangklip area. Because the road now served a military purpose, construction moved quickly. Clarence Drive was completed during the war years, greatly improving coastal access. In the 1990s, the road was upgraded, and a new section was opened in 1998. Remnants of the original metal bridges and stone retaining walls are still visible in places. Despite these modern upgrades, Clarence Drive largely follows its original alignment with 77 bends and curves and hugging the coastline. Gordons Bay See some other scenic drives and road trips and browse the complete Western Cape guide

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Constantia Nek

carynkaleido — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 06:41:32 +0000

Constantia Nek is a low pass that crosses Table Mountain from Constantia to Hout Bay. It is one of the passes that connects Hout Bay to the city. Constantia Nek was also known as Cloof Pass. The road is busy as it is a single carriageway, even though it is a major thoroughfare. A bit of history When a rich source of timber was discovered on the slopes of the back end of Table Mountain, the area was called Hout Bay, meaning ‘Wood Bay’. Transporting wood out of the area meant building a road big enough for horse-drawn carts. Construction of this dirt road began in 1666. Horse-drawn carriages had to climb to the summit of Constantia Nek, where a toll station and lay-by were used by workers moving logs from the Hout Bay plantations to the Castle of Good Hope in the city centre. Remains of the Conway Redoubt can be seen behind the La Prada restaurant. It was built during the French military occupation of the Cape. The occupation was in support of the Dutch colonists. With the arrival of the French troops, under Colonel Conway, on 3 July 1781, the so-called ‘French Period’ began. The French occupation saw great prosperity in the Cape. House property, slaves and horse values rose 50-100%. The demand for produce grew so much that the Company had to fix maximum prices to protect itself. Back in the day, the journey from Hout Bay to Cape Town that troops took would be a six to seven-hour march. The road up to the Nek was a pleasant walk. Le Vaillant used to take on Sundays. He was furious when the road was badly ripped up. It was thought that the British were about to attack the Cape. To prevent the road from being used by the British, large holes were dug to prevent wagons and artillery from being transported over the Nek. The road slopes gently from connecting the back side of Table Mountain with the Vlakkenberg and Constantiaberg. At the summit of the Nek is a large car park on one side of the road. From here, one can walk between Constantia Nek and Kirstenbosch. Also at the summit are a couple of restaurants. The original building there was the oldest restaurant in Cape Town. City tramways fleet on Constantia nek early 1900s Hike to Kirstenbosch Take a relatively easy 6km walk on a dirt path along the eastern slopes of Table Mountain that takes about 2.5 hours. It is mostly flat with a few inclines in the beginning and downhill at the end. You will pass Cecelia forest and cross a few streams with wooden bridges The walk starts on a jeep track, then joins the Contour Path after about half an hour into the walk (Continue on the Contour Path until you reach the sign for Skeleton Gorge. Head down along Smuts Track to get to Kirstenbosch. Dogs on leashes allowed. However, they are not allowed in Kirstenbosch gardens, so you can continue along the Contour Path to Newlands Forest more See some other scenic drives and road trips and browse the complete Western Cape guide

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De Waal Drive now known as Philip Kgosana Drive

carynkaleido — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 18:56:21 +0000

In the early 1920s, Sir Nicolas Fredrick De Waal, The first administrator of the Western Cape, ordered the construction of a high-level road to link the upper part of the City Bowl with the Southern Suburbs. The roadway was called which was De Waal Drive. It has now been renamed Philip Kgosana Drive. Philip Kgosana, a member of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) risked his life and took a stand against the apartheid regime and unjust government pass laws marching along the road to Parliament in 1960, He was arrested and later fled into exile. De Waal Drive in the 1920s

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Du Toit’s Kloof Tunnel and Pass

carynkaleido — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:39:05 +0000

The short tunnel on the historic Du Toitskloof Pass is often overshadowed by the much longer Huguenot Tunnel, but it forms part of one of the Western Cape’s most significant mountain roads. The tunnel is approximately 200 metres long and was completed as part of the new Du Toitskloof Pass, which opened in 1949. The pass lies between Paarl and Worcester. Before the opening of the 3.9 km Huguenot Tunnel in 1988, it formed part of the N1 national road and was one of the main routes between Cape Town and the interior. Early Routes Through the Mountains The pass is named after François du Toit, a French Huguenot refugee who settled in the area during the late 17th century. For many years, the route through the mountains was little more than a cattle track used by farmers travelling between the Cape and the interior. As farming expanded, there was a greater need for a proper road. In the early 1800s, Detlef Siegfried Schönfeldt, a German farmer and former cavalry officer, proposed the construction of a wagon road through Du Toitskloof. He persuaded farmers from Paarl, Worcester, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek to contribute funds and began work on the most difficult section of the route, known as Kleigat. Although Schönfeldt succeeded in building part of the road, the project exhausted its funding. When government engineers later investigated the proposal, they concluded that the existing route was adequate and refused further support. The decision left Schönfeldt financially ruined, and the project was abandoned. Several further proposals followed during the nineteenth century, but none got past the planning stage. Building the Modern Pass Interest in the route was revived during the 1930s as traffic volumes increased and better roads became necessary. Government engineer P.A. de Villiers surveyed a modern route through the mountains, and construction began during the summer of 1941–42. A large part of the work was carried out by Italian prisoners of war held in South Africa during the Second World War. Many of the prisoners had experience in construction and engineering and worked on sections of the pass, including the tunnel. The project was completed in 1949 at a cost of approximately £750,000 and was officially opened by Prime Minister D.F. Malan. The new pass provided a safer and more reliable route through the mountains and significantly improved travel between Cape Town and the interior. The original Du Toitskloof Pass was approximately 48 kilometres long and climbed to an elevation of around 820 metres. In 1988, the Huguenot Tunnel opened, shortening the route by approximately 11 kilometres and bypassing much of the mountain pass. Today, most traffic uses the toll tunnel, while the original pass remains one of the Western Cape’s most scenic mountain drives. Although no longer the province’s primary route, Du Toitskloof Pass remains an impressive engineering achievement. Travellers can still experience the historic tunnel, dramatic mountain scenery and the route that generations of farmers, wagon drivers, engineers and labourers struggled to establish through the mountains. Beyond its engineering history, Du Toitskloof offers a glimpse into the geology of the Western Cape, while the Mapping Museum in Mowbray highlights the surveying and mapmaking efforts that helped explorers, engineers and road builders navigate the region’s rugged terrain The pass stands as a lasting monument to nearly two centuries of effort to connect the Cape interior with the coast.

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Four passes circular route

carynkaleido — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:53:13 +0000

Four Passes Circular Route (Stellenbosch Loop) A scenic and challenging circular route through the Cape Winelands. Popular with both drivers and mountain bikers. Expect long climbs, rewarding views, and good stop options along the way. Route Overview Distance: ±130kmElevation gain: ±2000mStart/Finish: StellenboschBest direction: Anti-clockwise (recommended) This loop covers four major passes: Sir Lowry’s Pass Viljoen’s Pass Franschhoek Pass Helshoogte Pass Stellenbosch to Grabouw (via Sir Lowry’s Pass) Head out of Stellenbosch towards Somerset West using back roads parallel to the N2. Avoid the highway where possible. Follow the Old Sir Lowry’s road, which is lined with trees It is recommended to do Sir Lowry’s Pass early in the day, before the traffic increases and the wind begins to blow. There are no dedicated bike lanes on this pass. The pass climbs for 3.9 km, gaining an elevation of 265m Descend towards Grabouw, where you can stop off at the Peregrine Farm Stall or Elgin Railway Market if you are there on the weekend Grabouw to Franschhoek (via Viljoen’s Pass) From Grabouw, turn left onto Viljoen’s Pass. This section is mostly steady and rideable, with a fast descent through the pass. Watch your speed on the hairpins. Continue towards Theewaterskloof Dam. Take care not to miss the turn-off towards Franschhoek. Theewaterskloof to Franschhoek (via Franschhoek Pass) Turn left and begin the 10km climb up Franschhoek Pass, with an elevation gain of 420m There is a natural fresh water spring just after the summit where clear water runs off the mountain. Then begin the descent towards Franschhoek. This is a great place to find somewhere to eat or visit heritage sites or the transport museum. Franschhoek to Stellenbosch (via Helshoogte Pass) Leave Franschhoek and follow the relatively flat stretch towards Pniel. Climb Helshoogte Pass back towards Stellenbosch: Climb: 8.5km Elevation gain: 190m Includes a steeper ±2km section Descend back into Stellenbosch to complete the loop. Stops: Boschendal (picnic stop) Bartinney Tasting Shed (viewpoint) Notes for Cyclists Ride anti-clockwise to tackle Sir Lowry’s Pass early Expect traffic on Sir Lowry’s Pass (no shoulder) Watch for strong winds, especially later in the day Be cautious on descents (sharp bends and changing road surfaces) Carry water, although there are refill points along the route Summary A well-balanced Winelands loop with four distinct passes, varied scenery, and multiple stop options. Suitable for experienced cyclists and a rewarding scenic drive See some other scenic drives and road trips and browse the complete Western Cape guide

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Hex River Tunnels

carynkaleido — Sat, 16 May 2026 10:17:06 +0000

The Hex River Tunnels are a system of four railway tunnels located on the main Cape Town to Johannesburg rail line in the Hex River Mountains of the Western Cape, South Africa. The route runs between De Doorns in the Hex River Valley and Touws River in the Great Karoo. It was built to eliminate one of the most difficult sections of railway in South Africa, where steep gradients and tight curves through the mountains previously created a major bottleneck. In total, the system consists of four tunnels: one twin tunnel of approximately 500 metres, and three single tunnels measuring about 1.1 km, 1.2 km, and 13.5 km. Together, they carry a significant portion of the railway line underground, with around 16.8 km of the route passing through tunnels. Early Railway Challenges The Hex River Mountains form part of the Cape Fold Belt, a major natural barrier between the coastal plain and the interior plateau. This made early railway expansion extremely difficult. In 1872, the Cape Government authorised the construction of a railway line through the region as part of a wider plan to connect Cape Town to the interior and the diamond fields at Kimberley. Survey work began in 1874 under engineer Wells Hood, who identified a possible route through the Hex River Valley and over the mountains via Osplaas and Matroosberg. The terrain was extremely challenging, requiring steep gradients of around 1 in 40 and sharp curves that limited train size and speed. A short tunnel was included on the original line, which became the first railway tunnel in South Africa. This early route was completed in the late 1870s and became part of the main rail connection between Cape Town and the interior. However, it remained a difficult section of track for more than a century. Early Tunnels and Upgrades The original tunnel served for more than 50 years before increasing rail traffic and larger locomotives required improvements. In 1929, a second concrete-lined tunnel was constructed alongside the original to ease the curve and improve clearance. This allowed continued use of the route but did not fully solve the operational limitations of the mountain pass. By the mid-20th century, it became clear that a more modern solution was needed. The steep gradients and sharp bends still slowed trains and limited capacity on one of South Africa’s most important rail corridors. Construction of the Tunnel System In the 1940s, engineers proposed a major realignment of the railway through the Hex River Mountains. The plan involved constructing a series of long tunnels to bypass the old mountain pass entirely. Work began during the Second World War era but was delayed multiple times due to funding shortages, changing priorities, and difficult geological conditions. Construction was carried out in stages over several decades. Work on some tunnels began in the 1940s, with further progress in the 1960s and 1970s. The final and longest tunnel, measuring approximately 13.5 km, was completed in the late 1980s. At the time of completion, it was the longest railway tunnel in Africa. The system officially became operational in 1989. It significantly improved rail efficiency by reducing travel time, easing gradients, and eliminating the need for heavy banking locomotives on the mountain section. Engineering Features The longest tunnel passes through solid mountain rock with significant overburden above it. Ventilation shafts were constructed to support airflow and safety during operation. Some sections include widened internal profiles to allow trains to pass or to accommodate electrification requirements. The completed system reduced the ruling gradient on this section of line to approximately 1 in 66 and significantly shortened the effective distance and curvature of the route. This made it far more efficient for both freight and passenger services between Cape Town and the interior. The Old Pass Today After the tunnel system opened, the original Hex River rail pass was closed. Sections of track were removed, but parts of the old railway alignment remain. Today, sections of the former line are used for recreational access and adventure tourism, including hiking and 4×4 routes through the mountains. The Hex River Tunnels remain one of the most important railway engineering projects in South Africa, representing more than a century of planning, construction, and adaptation to one of the country’s most challenging landscapes. Find out more about railways in the Western Cape Read more about the Geology of the Western Cape

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Hodges Bridge

carynkaleido — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:19:45 +0000

Hodges Bridge, located at the southwestern end of Cogmanskloof, was the first road bridge built in the dramatic kloof and marked the start of the historic Cogmanskloof Pass. It opened in January 1872 and formed part of the first completed section of the pass, constructed from the Ashton side of the Langeberg Mountains. The bridge was named after Frederick Hodges, resident magistrate of Robertson and chairman of the divisional council. Hodges played a key role in securing funding from the Cape government for the bridge and road construction. The official opening on 10 January 1872 was a major event. Businesses in Montagu and Robertson closed, and residents gathered to watch Hodges, escorted by a 30-horseman guard of honour, declare the bridge and road section open. He later rode through the kloof and was formally thanked by the people of Montagu. Hodges Bridge consists of two stone-masonry culverts, each with a rectangular opening for water flow. The bridge decks were originally constructed from Yellowwood beams, later partially replaced and reinforced with concrete. Inscriptions remain on both sections: “Unity is strength” on the Ashton side and “Welcome to Montagu over the Hodges Bridge” on the opposite side. Five years later, in 1877, Thomas Bain completed the full Cogmanskloof Pass, providing Montagu and the Little Karoo with improved access to the western Cape Colony. The road was realigned in the 1950s and underwent major reconstruction between 2015 and 2021. As traffic volumes increased, Hodges Bridge—also known as Hortjiesbrug—fell into disuse. The road upgrades included the construction of three newer bridges: the Boy Retief Bridge near Ashton, the Loftus Bridge beneath the tunnel, and the Voortrekker Bridge at the Montagu entrance.

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