Chapman's Peak, Mountain pass road in Western Cape, South Africa

Chapman's Peak Drive is a 9-kilometre road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, cut into the mountain's near-vertical face above the Atlantic. It has 114 curves, and the road passes a viewpoint on Chapman's Peak at 160 metres. The photograph shows the asphalt bending around layered reddish-brown rock, with a low stone retaining wall on the seaward edge.

Chapman's Peak Drive was hacked out of the mountain face between 1915 and 1922 under the geologist Charl Marais, at the time regarded as a major feat of engineering. A rockfall in January 2000 buried 30 percent of the route, and the road was leased for 30 years to Entabeni (Pty) Ltd, which invested over 150 million rand in nets and two tunnel sections. It reopened in December 2003.

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.

The road was closed in January 2000 after 30 percent of the route was buried, then leased for 30 years to Entabeni (Pty) Ltd, which invested over 150 million rand in rebuilding it. Two tunnels were blasted at the most dangerous sections and large rockfall nets installed. It reopened in December 2003.