Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

South Africa, Western Cape

Bainskloof Pass

An old mountain shelf road along a boulder river, narrow and beautifully engineered.

Length

30 km

In miles

18.6 mi

Driving time

56 min

Atlas rating

9.1 / 10

Driving quality9.0
Scenery9.2

The run

Wellington to Ceres, following the R301. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.

Season

Open year round in normal conditions, with the usual care after rain or frost.

Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk

Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.

Last reviewed 14 March 2026