Your Travel Guide Online

GETTING THERE: FROM HEIDELBERG
From the south it is much quicker and simpler. From Heidelberg,
drive east along Van Riebeeck Street and just after crossing the
Duiwenhoksrivier, take the first turn left. This is a tarred road, which
becomes gravel later. Head north for 7km until you arrive at a fork
at GPS S34.032989 E20.957071. Keep right at the fork and drive for
15km to arrive at the southern start of Gysmanshoek Pass.
FROM RIVERSDALE (R323)
You will be approaching Gysmanshoek from the east. From
Riversdale drive on the tarred R323 north west for 3,2km. Take the
gravel road to the left at GPS S34.068246 E21.240291. Drive north
west for 25km to arrive at the southern start of Gysmanshoek Pass.
As altitude is gained the views become increasingly impressive to
the left as the farms and valleys look almost toy like in the
distance. Most of the bends are easy up until this point, but at the
4,3km mark, the road curves to the right through 160 degrees. The
radius of this bend is not very sharp and no reduction in speed
is necessary, but the condition of the track can become quite
rough here, so choose your driving lines with care. The presence
of lots of fist sized stones can cause traction issues for non 4WD
vehicles.
If you’re not in a 4x4, you will need to maintain some momentum
to get up this final part of the ascent, which lasts for 400m. The
summit point comes up quickly. The road is reasonably wide at
the summit and a two spoor track leads off to the right, where
you can park if you want to stop a while and enjoy the views or
take photos.
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