Du Toitskloof Pass

Description

The Du Toitskloof Pass (Du Toit's Gap) links Paarl and Cape Town to Worcester on the regional road R101 in the Western Cape. Initially an animal track, it was named after Francois Du Toit, a 17th-century Huguenot pioneer who settled in the foothills of the area. The pass ascends to over 800m above sea-level, and provides beautiful views of Paarl from the one side, and Worcester and the Berg River Valley on the other.

The Du Toitskloof Pass is 48km long and reaches 820m in height. The Huguenot Tunnel, opened in 1988, is the largest curved structure in South Africa and shortens the road by 11km. It is operated as a toll road. There is an impressive viaduct on the Paarl approach side. If you have the time, make sure you stop once you have climbed the pass, as the view of Table Mountain in the distance is simply beautiful on a clear day.