Bainskloofpas

Bain’s Kloof Pass is one of South Africa’s most scenic passes and was built in the 1850’s by Andrew Geddes Bain. The name Bain is linked to almost every well-made mountain pass in South Africa and he was the father of Thomas Bain, who built the famous Swartberg Pass. Andrew Geddes Bain was an engineer, writer, palaeontologist and painter but he will always be well remembered for the beautiful roads he built.

Distance 30km
Gradient average 1:63
Gradient maximum 1:5
Summit 594m
Surface Tar

Wellington’s real association with the rest of South Africa only came after it was connected to Ceres and the Tulbagh Valley via Bain’s Kloof Pass.

Height restriction

Please note that due to an overhanging rock Bain's Kloof has a height restriction of 3,87m.

History

The pass is 30 km long and took 4 years to build. It was Andrew Bain's first road he built and probably his most famous. There was a constant labour force of 400 men, mostly convicts doing their time. They were housed in special barracks and given a hospital, kitchens, stables, blacksmiths’ and carpenters’ quarters as well as a church, a school and a recreational area.

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