The lorries shift down early. For heavy vehicles, Hex River Pass is considered one of the most dangerous passes in the province, according to Mountain Passes South Africa: a long straight descent ends in a sharp left-hand bend, with an arrestor bed for emergencies.
- road
- N1
- altitude of De Doorns at the foot of the pass
- 460 m
- longest rail tunnel, since 1989
- 13.5 km
- summit of the old railway line
- c. 959 m
The railway is better recorded. It reached Worcester on 16 June 1876 and Touws River at the end of 1877, and the old line crested at about 959 metres near the Matroosberg. Since 1989 trains have run through four tunnels. The longest is 13.5 kilometres and was Africa's longest railway tunnel until 2009.
- Time needed
- Cape Town to De Doorns about 1 hour 45 minutes without traffic
- When
- in daylight; in winter the Hex River Mountains get more snow than anywhere else in the Western Cape
Our tipKeep your distance from lorries on the descent, and drive the pass in daylight.
Hex River Pass: frequently asked questions
Is Hex River Pass dangerous?
Mountain Passes South Africa counts Hex River Pass on the N1 among the most dangerous passes in the Western Cape for lorry accidents. A long straight descent ends in a sharp left-hand bend, and an arrestor bed is there for emergencies.
Where is Hex River Pass?
Hex River Pass is on the N1 between De Doorns in the Hex River valley and Touws River, north-east of Worcester.
Why does the railway at Hex River Pass run through tunnels?
Since 1989 the railway at Hex River Pass has run through four tunnels, the longest 13.5 kilometres long. They replaced the old line from the 1870s, which crested at about 959 metres.