Du Toitskloof Pass
Encyclopedia
Du Toitskloof Pass is situated in the Western Cape
province of South Africa
, on the Regional road R101 between Paarl
and Worcester
. The pass was named after Francois Du Toit, a 17th century Huguenot pioneer who settled in the foothills. It was initially an animal track where a road was built around the time of World War II.
Originally 48km long, the pass climbed to 820 metres (2,690.3 ft). The Huguenot Tunnel
, opened in 1988, is the largest curved structure in South Africa and shortens the road by 11 kilometres (6.8 mi). It is operated as a toll road. There is an impressive viaduct on the Paarl approach side.
The surrounding peaks often sport a covering of snow and the Mountain Club of South Africa
has huts in the area. Du Toits Peak
is the highest mountain at 1995 metres (6,545.3 ft).
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 R101 between Paarl
Paarl
Paarl is a town with 191,013 inhabitants in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Its the third oldest European settlement in the Republic of South Africa and the largest town in the Cape Winelands. Due to the growth of the Mbekweni township, it is now a de facto urban unit with Wellington...
and Worcester
Worcester, Western Cape
Worcester is a town in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is located 120 km north-east of Cape Town on the N1 highway north to Johannesburg....
. The pass was named after Francois Du Toit, a 17th century Huguenot pioneer who settled in the foothills. It was initially an animal track where a road was built around the time of World War II.
Originally 48km long, the pass climbed to 820 metres (2,690.3 ft). The Huguenot Tunnel
Huguenot Tunnel
The Huguenot Tunnel is a toll tunnel near Cape Town, South Africa. It extends the N1 national road through the Du Toitskloof mountains that separate Paarl from Worcester, providing a route that is safer, faster and shorter than the old Du Toitskloof Pass travelling over the mountain.Geological...
, opened in 1988, is the largest curved structure in South Africa and shortens the road by 11 kilometres (6.8 mi). It is operated as a toll road. There is an impressive viaduct on the Paarl approach side.
The surrounding peaks often sport a covering of snow and the Mountain Club of South Africa
Mountain Club of South Africa
The Mountain Club of South Africa is the largest and oldest mountaineering club in South Africa. It facilitates and engages in mountaineering, climbing of all types, bouldering, hiking, international expeditions, mountain search and rescue, training, conservation of mountain areas, and procurement...
has huts in the area. Du Toits Peak
Du Toits Peak
Du Toits Peak is the highest seaward facing peak in the Cape Fold Belt ranges, i.e. the highest peak in the Western Cape within direct sight of the ocean. Located between Paarl and Worcester in the south-west of South Africa, 70 km to the north-east of the provincial capital of Cape Town...
is the highest mountain at 1995 metres (6,545.3 ft).