Bainskloof – Dutoitskloof Pass Day Trip
Bainskloof – Dutoitskloof Pass Day Trip
They say that a picture paints a thousand words! This day trip, only 120kms long, will keep you talking as the beautiful scenery will stay with you forever.
Quick summary of this drive:
Drive over the Bainskloof Pass. Enter the Breede Valley and drive towards Rawsonville and then back to Wellington via Paarl over the Du Toitskloof Pass.
It can take as long as you want it to take because you will want to linger…and it will be worth it!
It all depends on how fast you drive and how much time you spend at various places but we would suggest you make at least 5 hours available for this day trip.
Options:
This trip is flexible and depending on the time available one could go to Ceres and Tulbagh instead of Rawsonvile and Du Toitskloof or travel via Worcester on the way back.
The Trip
Travel all the way down Church Street towards the mountains. About 5 km outside town on your right you will find Bovlei Cellars which is well worth a stop. On the left you will find Redemption Shoes where you can shop for various leather articles including shoes. Napier wines and De KleineValleij is about 1 km further towards the mountain.
About 2 km further on the right is the well known Antonies Vlei Picnic area. It is about here where you start ascending onto the pass.
Bainskloof Pass
Bainskloof Pass was opened 1853 and was built by Andrew Geddes Bain.
The workforce was comprised entirely of convict labour and numbered almost 1000. It took about 4 years to complete. The pass is about 30 km long and one is forced to drive slowly as the view is absolutely incredible. The road was tarred in the early 1930’s and was declared a national Monument in 1980.
There are many stop areas on the pass and it is recommended that you pull of frequently and savour the view.
One can see for absolute miles and miles and the whole of the Wellington and Paarl Valley is visible on a clear day.
There are various waterfalls and streams on the side of the road so keep an eye out for them.
About 3km up the pass there is a sign reading “Bains Tunnel” where a few houses are situated. A further 5 km takes you to Eerste Tol which is the starting point for many of the Limietberg Hiking Trails.
This is also where Bain set up a construction village at the time. On the left of the road at the turn off to the restaurant is a monument which commemorates the building of Bainskloof Pass. It also remembers the convicts who were killed during the construction process. Another landmark here is Bainskloof Corner Lodge. Stop for a light lunch or a drink and spend some time wandering about. Here you will also be able to get permits for some of the hiking trails in the area.
Rock Formations
You are now entering a section of the pass where you will see the most incredible rock formations, with such interesting names as ‘Biskop se Boog (Bishop’s Bow) and Bell Rotse (Bell’s Rocks). Drive at your leisure until you get to Tweede Tol. This is a camping site run by Cape Nature which also has a picnic area for day visitors. Various hiking trails also start at this spot. Enquiries can be made at the gate and permits can be issued from here.
Going down the mountain
You are now getting to the end of the pass. Go over Borcherd Bridge and if you have not yet had a drink you can stop off at the Calabash Bush Pub on your left. From here travel over the Darling Bridge and after the bridge you will find the turn-off to the right towards Worcester.
Alternative Route
Here you have to turn right and travel towards Worcester but you could carry on straight if you would like to visit Ceres & Wolseley and Tulbagh.
This road is also the start of the Breede Valley and is well known for its wines and beautiful scenery.
All around you will find vineyards and mountains.
Firstly you will find Waboomsrivier Wine Cellar (about 3 km from the turn off) and a few km further look out for the Container Farm Stall as well as the Rietdakkie Farm Stall. Botha Cellars is another 3 km further down the road.
To Rawsonville
About 7 km from Botha Cellars turn right and take the Rawsonville / Goudiniweg turnoff. For the next 4 km one can see beautiful mountains and vineyards all around. Take the Rawsonville turnoff to the left.
Drive about 4 km over the N1 passing the Groot Eiland Wine Cellars. At the crossing (Route 101) one could turn left to go to Worcester or go straight to Rawsonville but here we turn right towards Paarl. About 600m further one could turn right to go to Goudini Spa. It is well worth a visit but perhaps on another trip. Travel approximately 6 km towards Paarl passing the Du Toitskloof Cellars and link up with the N1.
Another Mountain coming up!
Turn left onto the N1. Paarl is now 33 km away.
About 10 km further on the right is the Du Toitskloof Resort & Trout Farm. Stop here for coffee or an ice cream and wander about for a while. Watch the people fishing in the large ponds.
Turn right towards Paarl. After about 3, 5 km the road splits and you can go straight to go to Paarl via the Huguenot Tunnel or take the left and go to Paarl via the Du Toitskloof Pass.
Take the exit to the left.
As you ascend the pass you will go through a short tunnel which was built by Italian POWs during the Second World War, many of whom stayed on in Paarl after the war. The pass itself was also built by approximately 500 Italian POWs to keep them busy. A cross was erected on the mountain by the prisoners to commemorate their stay in Paarl.
The view here once again is incredible.
There are various spots where you can pull of the road to enjoy the view and we suggest you take advantage of that. Once over the top you will be confronted by the most incredible view of the Paarl valley and the Paarl Mountain with Paarl Rock. To the right one can see Wellington (from the opposite side) and on a clear day Table Mountain is visible.
Back to Wellington
Travel further down the mountain and find on your left the Amberg Lodge where you can stay overnight or just stop to have a drink. You are now about 5 km from Paarl.
Drive until you reach the 4 way stop at Sonstraal Road and Langenhoven Road. Continue straight for about 2 km and take the first exit at the circle. Continue for +- 10km to return to Wellington.
You would have travelled about 120 km and crossed the same mountain range on two occasions at different places.