Chapman’s Peak Drive: Cape Town’s Most Famous Road
Chapman’s Peak Drive, which connects the Cape Peninsula villages of Hout Bay and Noordhoek via the cliffs that overlook the Atlantic Ocean, is easily Cape Town’s most famous road, because of its unmatched views. It was closed for several years out of concern over rockfalls, but reopened after a host of safety measures were engineered into the route. It’s now a toll road; private cars are charged R29 for a one-way pass; the price of entry is included in most Peninsula tours (such as the Baz Bus Peninsula Tour).
- When inclement weather strikes the Cape, Chapman’s Peak may be closed; call ahead for its status: +27 (0) 21 791 8222/8220.
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The Drive is not to be missed – its views and scenery are utterly thrilling, as is the white-knuckle ride under two two-sided tunnels! Here’s the Drive in photos (going from Hout Bay to Noordhoek):
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The view you get back across to Hout Bay, once you’ve gone through the toll booth.
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Looking in the direction of Noordhoek from one of the Drive’s get-out points.
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Note the two-sided tunnel – one of two! (And look closely for the netting in the greenery.)
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This type of “tunnel” brings home the unnerving fact that you’re driving through what was once pure rock.
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The Drive as seen from the sea…
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…and in close-up.