Prince AlbertThe Swartberg Pass
The entrance is through a narrow Cape sandstone kloof where the eye is drawn upwards by the convoluted rock faces to the sparkling sky above. The only sounds are bubbling water, the wind in the trees and birdsong. Several picnic sites near the river provide tranquil spots to stop and absorb the peace and splendour. As you drive on you gain your first sight of the valleys and peaks of the Swartberg Pass. The natural characteristics of the Pass are magnificent – as are the man-made features. This was Thomas Bain's last engineering masterpiece. His construction philosophy, which has stood the test of time was: "Good hat and good boots". Dry-stone walls - a great engineering featThe
dry stone packed retaining walls are amazing, in one place on the southern side
the wall is 2,4kms long. They range in height from ½ metre to 13 metres. Laws
of friction and cohesion govern the pressure on retaining walls. The bed (ledge,
base or shelf) measures up to 1 metre plus up to 300mm at the top. Selected
stone was used and laid with grain at right angles to the natural bedding line.
The walls were battered (sloped inward) in a rise of 1:6. To illustrate the
scale of the highest sections of the walls, Boegoekloof measures 13,1
metres vertically and the second hairpin on the north, 7,3 metres. Pressure on
the roadway through traffic has compacted and secured the walls and roadway. The
larger stones on the ledge bedding provided good drainage but further provision
was necessary. Bain’s original specifications give "rule of thumb"
measurements and clear instructions as to how many culverts, side drains etc.
there were to be, but it is not stated how these were arrived at. What is clear
is that they appear adequate, for after over a century of rain the walls are
essentially still in place and until recently, with little or no damage. In September 2000, a concerned group of design and construction professionals from Prince Albert initiated a crisis meeting with the Provincial and District Roads Engineers to discuss their difficulties in providing adequate maintenance of the Pass after the bouts of heavy rains over the past three years. The meeting resulted in all concerned walking the Pass to discuss specific problem areas and a folio of photographs and drawings was handed over. The Pass underwent specialist maintenance and Prince Alberters were delighted to see their old friend (declared a National Monument in its Centenary year 1988) receiving such a comprehensive facelift. Along the way there are relics of an old prison, toll hut, hotel and other interesting historical sites Often covered in snow in winter,
the mountains' unique micro-climate supports
fynbos and a rich bird The Swartberg Pass is now part of a World Heritage Site. Snow clings to grass at "Die Top" on a chilly spring
morning - click on picture to enlarge
There are a number of options for hiking in the Swartberg Mountains, from day hikes to a demanding five day hike. Lindsay of Dennehof Tours arranges a hiking permit and then drives you into the Swartberg Pass with a picnic lunch, a bird list and map and you hike back down to Malva Draai, where beers or soft drinks will be cooling in the river. Choose between a 9km and an 18km route. Call Lindsay on 082 456 8848 for more information. The best months for hiking and cycling are April/May and September/October. Details and permits are available from the Nature Conservation Office in Oudtshoorn. Tel: 044 279 1739, fax: 044 272 8110. You must have a permit to hike in the Swartberg Pass. Please note that the one day hiking trails are open but the five day Swartberg Mountain Trail is currently undergoing maintenance and is closed until further notice. (November 2007)
Dare-devils can hire a mountain bike to ride up and down ... or just down the Swartberg Pass! Call Lindsay of Dennehof Tours on 082 456 8848 for more information. Take a guided tour through the Swartberg Pass
Books on the Swartberg Pass
The Swartberg MountainsThe Swartberg mountains are a magnificent backdrop to the village of Prince Albert. Once considered almost impenetrable, there are now three major gateways – the Swartberg Pass, Meiringspoort and the Seweweekspoort – linking the Central Karoo with the Little Karoo and the coast. Meiringspoort and the Swartberg Pass are on Prince Albert's doorstep. Both fall within the Swartberg Nature Reserve (whose aims are to conserve fynbos and provide water). Both offer geological and natural splendours and the construction of both were spectacular engineering feats.
Why not take a day drive over the Swartberg Pass to the Cango Caves, then home to Prince Albert through de Rust and Meiringspoort? An awe-inspiring experience.
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