Sir Lowry's Pass

Sir Lowry’s Pass is on the N2 national road which crosses the Hottentots-Holland mountain range between Somerset West and Grabouw on the main national road between Cape town and the Garden Route. There is a railway line which also crosses at this point.

Distance 9,54km
Gradient average 1:21
Gradient maximum 1:15
Summit 452m
Surface Tar

This beautiful pass, that was formerly a rutted wagon track is often shrouded in mist and rain. The deep ruts left by heavy wagons being dragged over the mountains can still be seen. Today it is 4 lanes wide and subject to heavy traffic especially at the start and end of holiday periods when many people travel in and out of the Cape Town area and it is sometimes seen as an ‘accident black spot’.

The summit of the pass is at 420m with a viewpoint which is also used as a paragliding launch point. The mountain fynbos is fairly accessible and one can take three to four hours exploring the mountain side and the lower areas where streams which are densely vegetated become a haunt for bird watchers and nature lovers alike. On the Grabouw side, the road passes the Steenbras Dam whilst Sir Lowry's Pass Village is situated near the base of the pass.

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