Chapman's Peak Drive

Description

Chapman’s Peak Drive is a spectacular scenic drive meandering between Noordhoek and Hout Bay on the south-western tip of South Africa. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this 9km route is one of the most enchanting marine drives in the world with 114 bends, 180° views, and various picnic spots where you can stop and enjoy the vista.

Lovingly known as “Chappies”, Chapman's Peak is a playground for drives, picnics, jogging, dog walking, hiking, and biking. Its the perfect venue for a lazy Sunday afternoon drive. Built into the face of the mountain between 1915 and 1922, the road was considered a major feat of engineering in its time. While it was closed temporarily in the 1990s after a rockfall caused a death, it opened in 2005 as a toll road, with new structures in place to protect motorists from rockfalls.

Various picnic spots and vantage points (some 593m above sea level) offer the chance to spot whales, dolphins, and boats in the ocean below. Chapman's Peak Drive is included in the route of two of South Africa's biggest races, namely the Cape Argus Cycle Race and the Two Oceans Marathon. Those who want to experience the drive without paying the toll fees can hike up Chapman's Peak,