South Africa · Mountain · Fast sweepers · Smooth surface
Franschhoek Pass
R45 · Cape Winelands
- Length
- 15 km9 miles
- High point
- 701 m2,300 ft
- Driving time
- 20 minutes
- Season
- Year-round
- Toll
- Free
- Country
- South Africa
The R45 climbs out of the wine town of Franschhoek, crosses the mountains at about 700 m and descends towards Theewaterskloof Dam. It is roughly 15 km of smooth, wide, well-cambered tarmac, and it is the default Sunday-morning road for Cape Town's sports car owners.
The drive
The Franschhoek side is a short, sharp climb with a couple of hairpins and a lookout over the valley. The far side is longer and faster, running down a fynbos-covered valley and across the historic Jan Joubert's Gat Bridge.
Make it a loop by continuing to Villiersdorp and returning over Viljoen's Pass and Sir Lowry's Pass, or via Grabouw and the coast road through Betty's Bay, Clarence Drive, which is spectacular in its own right.
In your Lotus
The surface and camber are good enough that this pass has been used for manufacturer launches. It suits a Lotus on road tyres perfectly: quick enough to work the car, short enough to turn round and do again.
Watch out for
- Baboons sit on the road and on the barriers.
- Rockfall after rain, and occasional closures for repairs.
- Busy with bikes and car clubs on weekend mornings.
