Otto Du Plessis Pass, one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the Eastern Cape

Otto Du Plessis Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.115m (6,938ft) located in the Eastern Cape, in South Africa. The pass has all the elements a classic gravel road pass of intrigue, danger, views and technical driving.

Otto Du Plessis Pass

The road to the summit, also known as Duplessispas, is unpaved. It’s located on the road between Ida, Eastern Cape and Clifford, Eastern Cape. The road is suitable for normal cars in fair weather but best tackled in a 4x4 with good ground clearance and low range when it rains heavily and the surface gets muddy. On a nice day, this is a perfect place to enjoy the never ending views over the Tsomo Valley and the Drakensberg escarpment. It is reputed that on a clear day it is possible to see the Indian Ocean. The summit of Otto du Plessis pass has amazing panoramic views, and as you descend it twists through gorges, forests and beautiful wilderness areas.

The pass is named after the politician and Minister of Health Otto du Plessis. The summit hosts a 2 meter high, stone obelisk memorial to the doctor dating the pass back to 1959.
Pic: Bea SA

 

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