Chapman's Peak, Mountain pass road in Western Cape, South Africa
Chapman's Peak is a winding coastal road stretching 9 kilometers between Hout Bay and Noordhoek along Atlantic cliffs at about 600 meters elevation. The route features more than a hundred sharp turns carved into the mountainside, with pullouts and viewpoints where travelers can stop to look out at the ocean and rocky shoreline.
The road was constructed between 1915 and 1922 as a major engineering feat to connect two coastal towns that previously had no direct route between them. The project carved a path through challenging terrain and became one of the region's most important transportation links during the 20th century.
The road takes its name from an English maritime explorer who charted these waters centuries ago, and today visitors can see how the winding route hugs the cliffs in a way that feels almost like driving along the edge of the ocean itself. Many people stop at pullouts to photograph the rocky shoreline below or simply stand and watch how the light changes on the water throughout the day.
The drive is best enjoyed during daylight hours, and drivers should travel slowly as the numerous curves demand full attention on the road. Several marked stops and rest areas allow travelers to pause safely and enjoy the views without needing to pull over unexpectedly.
Despite its dramatic clifftop location and steep grades, the road was prone to rockfalls until extensive safety measures were installed with protective mesh and anchored systems to catch debris. These protective barriers remain visible today along the highest sections, making the engineering efforts to keep the route open quite apparent.
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