Du Toitskloof Pass

Coordinates: 33°43′29.1″S 19°08′48.0″E / 33.724750°S 19.146667°E / -33.724750; 19.146667

Highest point sign

View from the pass

Part of the pass

Du Toitskloof Pass (English: Du Toit's Gap) 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 48 km long, the pass climbed to 820 metres (2,690 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 1,995 metres (6,545 ft).

References

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