Chapmans Peak Drive -- don't skip this one!Chapmans Peak Drive is a dramatic winding route suspended between the mountains and the restless ocean far below. The road hugs the coast above steep cliffs - take a look at this aerial photo of the coastal contours...
It is undoubtedly the highlight of an already breathtaking stretch of coastline between Camps Bay and Cape Point. Even if driving is 'not your thing' (driving with a car full of squabbling offspring leaves most of us cold so we understand!), driving this route counts as ‘soul therapy’! You’ll all be spellbound by the spectacular views out to sea (you're looking south and west across the Atlantic) as well as sights such as this one back over Hout Bay...
the Sentinel,
This road was closed in January 2000 after a bad rock fall. Much re-engineering took place before it was reopened. This award-winning engineering (catch fences and ‘roofed’ areas) is now an interesting and spectacular feature of the route.
Unfortunately, such safety features come at a high price so Chapmans Peak Drive is now a toll road - tolls are currently R20 for a light passenger vehicle travelling one way. The tollbooth is about 600m along the route after you begin to wind your way up from Hout Bay. By the way, if you're just planning to hike on the mountains above Hout Bay, you needn't pay the toll - just tell the tollbooth attendant that you need a day pass. That allows you to head along as far as the final Chapman's Peak lookout point to park, then you can access the trails on foot. Having traversed the 114 curves that make up 'Chappies' (!) you come back to earth in Noordhoek, a rural-feeling conservation village. From there you can continue your journey southwards -- as far as Cape Point if you want to -- or be diverted by various other wonderful distractions on the South Peninsula. I suggest stopping to enjoy Noordhoek and Kommetjie. Visit Noordhoek Farm Village, go camel or horse riding from Imhoff’s Farm or try snorkelling to see seals from Scuba Shack Centre in Kommetjie. There’s so much to enjoy! Back from Chapmans Peak scenic drive Home from Chapmans Peak scenic drive
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