Best Scenic Drives around Cape Town

Dubbed as one of the world’s most scenic drives, Chapman’s Peak winds along the Atlantic Coast, starting in Hout Bay and ending in Noordhoek. Affectionately known as Chappies, the road rises to the highest level at Chapman’s Point, where you’ll be greeted with the most spectacular views.

Stretching 9km, the drive is operated as a toll road to ensure regular maintenance and upkeep. Before taking this route, check the Chapman's Peak safety updates, as the area is prone to rockfalls.

Perched above Muizenberg, Boyes Drive snakes through the mountain on the northwest corner of False Bay. Offering elevated views of the shoreline below, Kalk Bay Harbour looks like a miniature version of itself. Less congested than the main road below, you’ll come across hiking paths like the Boyes Drive Loop, Silvermine Nature Reserve, and the shark spotter’s hut.

Be warned, though, on sunny days, you might find yourself in traffic as far as the Kalk Bay turnoff. Check your GPS for traffic info before venturing to this side of the world.

I remember the first time driving this road. I’d just gotten my driver’s licence and thought I was invincible. But those who know, know. Once you hit Kloof Nek, get your clutch control wrong, and it’s tickets for you.

Thankfully, I conquered peak-hour traffic. Still, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone learning to drive a manual. The best way to enjoy Camps Bay Drive is in an automatic with the sunroof open. Connecting the mountain pass to Camps Bay beachfront, you’ll be rewarded with ocean vistas for days, twists and turns included.

Victoria Road is a no-go zone during school holidays and the festive season. Those who dare to take this route from Sea Point to Hout Bay had better be prepared to sit in traffic and people-watch for at least an hour. And that’s only in Sea Point.

Once you leave the Camps Bay area, the road becomes more manageable and pleasant. There are plenty of lookout spots, so take your time before reaching Hout Bay. Stop by the coffee truck that serves ice cream cones a few kilometres after the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa. Take a dip at Llandudno Beach and then cruise on by Hout Bay Harbour for lekker fish and chips.

Time Out Tip: Recharge after the Victoria Road crowds and take a detour to the Time Out Market at the Old Power Station at the V&A Waterfront.

One of the most intriguing mountain passes, driving through Ou Kaapse Weg is like entering an otherworldly landscape. The jagged rocky outcrops are reminiscent of Middle-earth in ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Behind the next bend, you’ll expect to see Sauron’s Eye, looming over the terrain.

Literally meaning Old Cape Road, the pass connects the southern suburbs to the Fish Hoek Valley. Transversing the Steenberg Mountains and Silvermine, Ou Kaapse Weg lands you smack bang at Cape Point Nature Reserve.

Positioned on the West Coast Way Tractor Route, Philadelphia is a gem of a town. Take the scenic drive through Durbanville along the Koeberg / Adderley Road. Most of the road passes farms and is shaded by giant eucalyptus trees.

Philadelphia was first established as a farm. Today, the quaint village is home to an art gallery, restaurant, pottery studio, and gift shop. Pop in at the Pepper Tree Art Stable & Coffee Shop. Located in the old stables, Pepper Tree serves lunch, breakfast and tea.

Sir Lowry’s Pass is the gateway to the N2, leading to the Garden Route, but many ignore the engineering marvel that it is. Named after Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, Governor of the Cape in 1828, the four-lane highway is nothing like the original pass, which was dangerous and steep. 

Peregrine Farm Stall, on the way to Elgin, is a beloved winkel offering fresh produce and artisanal goods. The in-house bakery has a variety of sweet and savoury treats, while the deli’s homemade pies are to die for.

Constructed between 1984 and 1988 at a cost of R125-million, Du Toitskloof Pass leads up to the Huguenot Tunnel from the N1 outbound.

The panoramic views give way to the high-altitude Hugosrivier Viaduct, the first of its kind to be built in South Africa. Simultaneously curved and constructed along the gradual climb of the mountain, the bridge soars high above the Hugosrivier Valley. 

For those who prefer to take things slow, bypass the tunnel and take the old pass that connects Paarl and Worcester. Despite the natural surrounding beauty, heavy trucks take the narrow pass, making it difficult to overtake.

About 26.8km from the bridge over the Breede River to the outskirts of Wellington, Bainskloof Pass remains steadfast more than 100 years later. Built by Andrew Geddes Bain in the 1840s, the road took six years to complete. Using the blood and sweat of convict labor, Bain constructed the pass with only raw, rough materials. 

Now a national monument, the northern section of the pass follows the Witte River. If anything, Eerste & Tweede Tol, Dacre’s Pulpit, Bell Rocks, and Bain’s Tunnel are worth the drive and IG humble brags.

Known to locals as the R44, Clarence Drive is a coastal road stretching 22km from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi-Els. Offering views of False Bay’s turquoise water to the left and Hottentots Hollands mountains on the right, the drive alone makes an enjoyable day trip.

Comprising 77 bends and four corners in excess of 150 degrees, Clarence Drive is not for the faint-hearted. The route is popular with cyclists, and overtaking can be somewhat harrowing. Expect to average below 60kph on busy days.

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