Bainskloof Pass

Bainskloof Pass
Bainskloofpas
Part of the scenery
Elevation 594 metres (1,949 ft)
Location Wellington and Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa
Coordinates 33°21′39″S 19°03′51″E / 33.36086°S 19.06422°E / -33.36086; 19.06422Coordinates: 33°21′39″S 19°03′51″E / 33.36086°S 19.06422°E / -33.36086; 19.06422

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 kilometres (11 mi)[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.

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

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Discover the secret of the Winelands". Bainskloof. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  2. ↑ Rosenthal, Eric. 1978. Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. Cape Town and Johannesburg: Juta and Company Limited
  3. 1 2 "Bains Kloof Pass (R301)". Cyber Drive Mountain Passes South Africa. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
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