Naudé’s Nek Pass — Rhodes to Barkly East via South Africa’s Highest Gravel Pass
South Africa's highest pass, loose gravel and thin air.
Naudé’s Nek is the highest road pass in South Africa, and it feels like it. You roll out of Rhodes, a village of Victorian cottages and trout streams, and the gravel starts climbing into the Drakensberg’s southern end. The air thins. The road switches back up grassy slopes dotted with Basotho horsemen, then crests at roughly 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) with views across the Eastern Cape highlands. On the far side it drops past the Karringmelkspruit valley toward Barkly East, steep and loose in places, with a drift or two to cross.
Don’t write this off because it’s a ‘pass road.’ The surface is rutted gravel with some rock, narrow sections with exposure, and fog that arrives out of nowhere. A high-clearance vehicle is smart, and 4WD gives you margin when it’s wet or iced. In winter it closes with snow, sometimes for weeks. Summer storms bring mud and fast-rising drifts. Fuel up in Barkly East or Rhodes, since there’s nothing in between, and expect patchy cell service. There’s no permit and camping opportunities are limited to local farm stays and designated sites, so don’t just pitch anywhere. What you get is a high-country drive that few overlanders bother with and big sky that does the rest. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 55 km |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8200 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Rhodes, Eastern Cape |
| Land manager | Eastern Cape Department of Transport / Joe Gqabi District Municipality |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or similar SUV do Naudé's Nek Pass?
Yes, in dry conditions. A stock high-clearance 4WD handles it fine, and the challenge is loose gravel, steep switchbacks, and washouts rather than technical obstacles. Low-clearance vehicles risk underbody damage on rutted sections, especially after rain.
Is Naudé's Nek Pass open in winter?
Not reliably. At about 2,500 m (8,200 ft) the pass gets snowed shut, typically from June through August, and can close with little warning. Best window is October to April, and you should check current conditions locally in Rhodes or Barkly East before you commit.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Naudé's Nek?
No. It's a public road maintained by the Eastern Cape Department of Transport and the Joe Gqabi District Municipality, with no permit or toll required. Much of the surrounding land is private farmland, so stay on the road and close any gates you open.
What's the hardest part of the drive?
The steep, narrow switchbacks near the summit, where loose gravel, exposed drop-offs, and sudden fog make for slow driving. Meeting oncoming traffic on the tight sections takes patience. Expect 2-3 hours for the 55 km because you won't be going fast.
Are there water crossings, and can I get fuel and cell service along the route?
Yes, there are water crossings, mostly low-level fords that rise and get slick after heavy rain or snowmelt, so walk them first if the water looks high. Cell service is spotty and there's no fuel on the pass itself, so fill up in Barkly East or Aliwal North before you go. Don't count on Rhodes having fuel.
Trail track
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