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Bainskloof Pass

Coordinates: 33°37′00″S 19°06′00″E / 33.6166666667°S 19.1°E / -33.6166666667; 19.1
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Bainskloof Pass
Bainskloofpas
Part of the scenery
Elevation594 metres (1,949 ft)
LocationWellington and Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa
Coordinates33°37′00″S 19°06′00″E / 33.6166666667°S 19.1°E / -33.6166666667; 19.1
Bainskloof Pass is located in Western Cape
Bainskloof Pass

Bainskloof Pass (Afrikaans: Bainskloofpas) is a mountain pass on the R301 regional road between Wellington and Ceres in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The 18-kilometer (11-mile)[1] pass, opened in 1854,[2] was constructed by road engineer Andrew Geddes Bain with the use of convict labour.[1] Originally built for horse-drawn traffic, the pass was later tarred.

The pass reaches 594 metres (1,949 ft)[3] at its highest point. Here, the road joins the Witte River, which descends the northern side of the mountains through a precipitous cleft to a stretch of rapids, waterfalls and natural pools. Bainskloof Pass is now a national monument.[3]

Plaques of the Bainskloof Pass

After roadworks starting in 2018, it finally reopened to the public in June 2022.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Discover the secret of the Winelands". Bainskloof. Archived from the original on 10 February 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  2. ^ Rosenthal, Eric. 1978. Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. Cape Town and Johannesburg: Juta and Company Limited
  3. ^ a b "Bains Kloof Pass (R301)". Cyber Drive Mountain Passes South Africa. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  4. ^ Getaway Magazine
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