Oliviershoek & Van Reenen's Passes — Drakensberg EscarpmentLoop.
Distance
210 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,400 m
Oliviershoek & Van Reenen's Passes — Drakensberg Escarpment Loop.
A Drakensberg escarpment loop over two famous passes — the scenic R74 Oliviershoek Pass and the busy N3 Van Reenen's Pass — linked by the high Free State plateau and Sterkfontein Dam.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance210 km
Days1
Total climb1,400 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
BergvilleStart · Small Drakensberg foothills town; provision up before climbing the escarpment on the R74 Oliviershoek Pass.
Oliviershoek PassMountain Pass · R74 crests at 1751m on the KZN-Free State border with huge views back over the Tugela basin and the Drakensberg amphitheatre.
Sterkfontein DamScenic Point · High-altitude reservoir in a nature reserve; glassy water ringed by golden hills, a calm contrast to the passes.
HarrismithRestaurant · Free State junction town below Platberg; refuel and eat before the run east toward the N3 escarpment.
Van Reenen's PassMountain Pass · The N3 drops off the Drakensberg escarpment near 1690m through Van Reenen; mist, heavy trucks and a famous roadside chapel.
BergvilleEnd · Close the loop back at Bergville via the R616, completing the Drakensberg escarpment circuit.
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