Outeniqua Pass Road — George to Uniondale via the Outeniqua Mountains High Route
The pass everyone forgot when the tunnel opened.
Before the Outeniqua Pass tunnel opened in 2005, every truck and bakkie bound for the Little Karoo used to haul up and over the old mountain road via what is now a mostly-forgotten route connecting George on the coast to Uniondale in the interior. The old pass crests at around 1,090 m through dense indigenous Outeniqua yellowwood forest before breaking out onto the dry Karoo fynbos scrub of the Langkloof Valley. The descent into Uniondale side is loose gravel in sections, with long blind corners and drop-offs that demand your attention — and reward it with views back over the Langkloof apricot orchards that are genuinely stunning in spring.
This is not a gnarly technical route — a capable high-clearance bakkie or a loaded Land Cruiser handles it fine year-round in dry conditions, though rain turns sections greasy. Moderate difficulty, suitable for experienced drivers with reasonable clearance. Best in September–October when the Langkloof orchards are in bloom, or April–May after summer heat fades. No permits needed; fuel in George before departure. The route is far less travelled than the parallel Swartberg and Meiringspoort and pairs well with both. A quiet one for drivers who like old mountain roads with real character and no crowds.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 47 mi / 75 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3576 ft |
| Best season | April-May, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD or 4WD |
| Nearest town | George, Western Cape |
| Land manager | Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works; SANPARKS — Garden Route National Park (adjacent) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Western Cape Government — Outeniqua Pass |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need 4WD to run the Outeniqua Pass high route, or will a high-clearance 2WD manage?
A high-clearance 2WD handles this route in dry conditions — the gravel surface is generally well-maintained and the gradients are manageable. 4WD becomes useful after rain when the gravel gets loose and rutted on the steeper mountain sections. Don't attempt it in a standard sedan or low-clearance vehicle regardless of conditions.
What's the road like in winter — is this route passable June through August?
Winter brings rain and occasional mist to the Outeniqua Mountains, and the gravel sections can deteriorate quickly after heavy rain. The route isn't snow-closed, but muddy sections between George and the pass summit can get slippery enough to catch out 2WD vehicles. April–May and September–October give you the best balance of dry roads and green mountain scenery.
Are there any permits required to drive the old Outeniqua Pass road?
No permit is required to drive the public road — it falls under the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works and is open to vehicles. If you plan to camp in areas adjacent to the Garden Route National Park boundary, check SANPARKS regulations as those zones may require a permit or overnight fee.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I be ready for?
The steepest and most technical stretch is the descent off the Outeniqua plateau toward Uniondale, where the gravel gets loose and the road narrows with little room for error on the edge. Loose surface combined with long downhill grades means brake management matters — engine braking in low range is smart even if you're in 2WD. Nothing here is rock-crawling terrain, but overconfidence on a gravel descent has ended plenty of trips.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there anywhere to camp along the route?
Fill up in George before you leave — Uniondale on the far end has a small fuel stop but don't rely on it being open outside business hours. Dispersed camping along the route itself is limited; your best options are farm stays and informal sites near Uniondale or heading into the Garden Route National Park for designated camping. At 75km total, most rigs running reasonable range won't sweat the fuel, but the remoteness means a breakdown without cell service is a real problem, so carry a recovery kit and water.
Trail track
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