Bainskloof Pass
Encyclopedia
Bainskloof Pass is situated in the Western Cape
province of South Africa
, on the Regional road R303
between Wellington
and Ceres
. This 30 kilometer pass was completed in 1853 and is one of the most picturesque passes in the Cape. The pass was built using convict labour, by Andrew Geddes Bain
, the most famous of southern Africa's road engineers. At the summit 595 metres (1,952.1 ft) are a plantation and picnic ground. 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 was originally built for horse drawn traffic in 1853. Since then the western side has been somewhat altered but the eastern side is pretty much as it was other than it has been tarred.
Half way down the pass is an attractive camping ground, with an especially beautiful river pool set amid smooth boulders. A popular circular walk through what is known as Wolvenkloof begins here, it features many interesting rock formations and wild flowers.
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
province of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, on the Regional road R303
R303 (Western Cape)
The R303 is a Regional Route in South Africa that connects Citrusdal with Ceres via the Koue Bokkeveld. It begins at the N7 outside Citrusdal, passes through that town, and then climbs over the Middelberg Pass and the Buffelshoek Pass...
between Wellington
Wellington, Western Cape
Wellington is a town in the Western Cape Winelands 45 minutes from Cape Town, in South Africa with a population of approximately 58,300. Wellington's economy is centered around agriculture such as wine, table grapes, citrus fruit and a brandy industry. The town is located 75 km north-east of...
and Ceres
Ceres, Western Cape
Ceres is a town with 46,251 inhabitants in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is the administrative centre and largest town of the Witzenberg Local Municipality. Ceres serves as a regional centre for the surrounding towns of Wolseley, Tulbagh, Op-die-Berg and Prince Alfred Hamlet...
. This 30 kilometer pass was completed in 1853 and is one of the most picturesque passes in the Cape. The pass was built using convict labour, by Andrew Geddes Bain
Andrew Geddes Bain
Andrew Geddes Bain , South African geologist, road engineer, palaeontologist and explorer.-Life history:...
, the most famous of southern Africa's road engineers. At the summit 595 metres (1,952.1 ft) are a plantation and picnic ground. 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 was originally built for horse drawn traffic in 1853. Since then the western side has been somewhat altered but the eastern side is pretty much as it was other than it has been tarred.
Half way down the pass is an attractive camping ground, with an especially beautiful river pool set amid smooth boulders. A popular circular walk through what is known as Wolvenkloof begins here, it features many interesting rock formations and wild flowers.