What are the most spectacular roads in South Africa?

Get ready to rev up the engine on the roads of South Africa. Tarmac, gravel, or dirt, the roads in the country has it all, from dangerous mountain passes, to coastal drives. Located at the southern tip of the African continent, South Africa covers an area of approximately 1,221,037 square kilometers. It’s bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho. It has a very varied climate, from arid to subtropical and rainfall patterns influenced by the Indian and Atlantic oceans.

The country hosts many of the most spectacular roads in the world, and becomes a dream for every driver: Swartberg Pass, switchbacks and breathtaking views at every turn, climbing up to 1.574m (5,164ft) above sea level in the Western Cape province, or the world famous Sani Pass, a hairy drive to the roof of Africa at 2.876m (9,400ft) above sea level, on the border of South Africa and Lesotho. If you prefer the seaside, Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, offering unparalleled scenic beauty and thrilling twists along the way. If you’re searching more defiant drives, don’t forget to check out our content about the highest roads of the country,

Located in the Southern Cape of South Africa, the Gourits River Bridge is 131.88 m (432.69 ft) long. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Normandien Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.992m (6,535ft) above the sea level, located in Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa. This pass is recommended to be driven in a 4x4 or 4x2 bakkie with diff-lock.

Hanse Kop is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.159m (3,802ft) above the sea level, located in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Steenkampsberg Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.248m (7,375ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Baster Voetslaan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.240m (7,349ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Avoid the pass entirely when it is wet, as conditions get slippery at best.

Lundins Nek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.170m (7,119ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape, in South Africa.

Ikhupe Pass (also known as Mkupe Pass) is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.469m (4,820ft) above the sea level, located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Ouberg Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.014m (3,326ft) above the sea level, located in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Lichens Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.953m (6,407ft) above the sea level, located in the Free State of South Africa.

Clivia Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.968m (6,456ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, in eastern South Africa.

Perdepoort Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 906m (2,972ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Ongeluks Nek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.541m (8,336ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, near the border with Lesotho. This is a high rainfall area, therefore this track is often very muddy and slippery. No road maintenance is done on this road. Do not travel this pass in severe weather conditions. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of South Africa.

Ben Macdhui is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.995m (9,826ft) located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It’s one of the highest roads of the country. Even in summer you can confront with snowy days.

Endoumeni Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.375m (4,511ft) above the sea level, located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Rooinek Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 782m (2,565ft) above the sea level, located in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Santa Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.068m (6,784ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Jaap se Hoogte is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.888m (6,194ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, in South Africa.

Vanrooyshoogte Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.023m (6,637ft) above the sea level, located in the Free State, South Africa.

Qacha's Nek is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.989m (6,525ft) above sea level, located on the border of Lesotho and South Africa.

Bottelnek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.201m (7,221ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape, in South Africa.

Groot Zuikerboschkop Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.102m (6,896ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The road is not suitable for vehicles with low clearance and even 4x4's will have issues here in wet weather.

Pitseng Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.900m (6,233ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is quite OK to drive it in a normal car in clear, dry weather.

Allemansnek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.847m (6,059ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa. This pass is straightforward with no sharp curves or steep gradients.

Uitkyk Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.022m (3,353ft) above the sea level, located in Western Cape, in South Africa.

Sak se Pad Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.942m (6,371ft) above the sea level, located in KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. The road to the pass is not for sissies. This route should not be attempted by inexperienced off-road drivers or in a single vehicle.

Sentinel Peak is a high mountain parking lot at an elevation of 2.545m (8,349ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Kastrolnek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.031m (6,663ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Ferndale Scenic Circle 4x4 Route is a 18.7km loop located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Vehicles need good ground clearance. The trail goes through some of the highest peaks in the Henderson Heights range.

Smuts Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.916m (6,286ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Majubanek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.848m (6,0625ft) above the sea level, located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. There are some very steep sections at 1:5.

Masjiennek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.090m (6,856ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

De Jagersnek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.870m (6,135ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The road is suitable for all vehicles, except in heavy rain or snow when 4WD would be much safer.

Jantjieshoek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.001m (6,564ft) above the sea level, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Think carefully before driving this pass, especially if poor weather is threatening and you are not in a 4WD vehicle.

Benjaminshoogte Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.950m (6,397ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Vlaknek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.853m (6,079ft) above the sea level, located in the Free State, in South Africa. The road has moderate gradients and no corners.

Mokobulaan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.921m (6,302ft) above the sea level, located in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.

Greylings Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.953m (6,407ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape, in South Africa. In snow or very wet weather, it’s recommended a 4WD vehicle to drive this pass. In fair weather it is suitable for all vehicles.

Tiffindell Ski Resort is the only ski resort in South Africa. Located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, the road to the resort climbs up to 2.780m (9,120ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

The bustling city of Cape Town, on South Africa’s southwest coast, launched a massive infrastructure project in the late 1960s to manage its ever-increasing traffic and congestion. Abandoned since the 1970’s, it’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.