Bainskloof Pass (Afrikaans: Bainskloofpas) is a mountain pass on the R301 regional road between Wellington and Ceres in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The 18-kilometer (11-mile)[1] pass, opened in 1854,[2] was constructed by road engineer Andrew Geddes Bain with the use of convict labour.[1] Originally built for horse-drawn traffic, the pass was later tarred.
| Bainskloof Pass | |
|---|---|
| Bainskloofpas | |
 Part of the scenery | |
| Elevation | 594 metres (1,949 ft) |
| Location | Wellington and Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 33°37′00″S 19°06′00″E / 33.6166666667°S 19.1°E |
  | |
The pass reaches 594 metres (1,949 ft)[3] at its highest point. Here, the road joins the Witte River, which descends the northern side of the mountains through a precipitous cleft to a stretch of rapids, waterfalls and natural pools. Bainskloof Pass is now a national monument.[3]
Plaques of the Bainskloof Pass
After roadworks starting in 2018, it finally reopened to the public in June 2022.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Discover the secret of the Winelands". Bainskloof. Archived from the original on 10 February 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Rosenthal, Eric. 1978. Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. Cape Town and Johannesburg: Juta and Company Limited
- ^ a b "Bains Kloof Pass (R301)". Cyber Drive Mountain Passes South Africa. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Getaway Magazine
External links
edit- Passes Index at Wild Dog Adventure Riding website
- Bainskloof history [1]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bain's Kloof Pass.