Bainskloof Pass on a motorcycle is the perfect way to leave Cape Town: an hour from the city, you're riding narrow tar bends cut into a mountainside, with a river gorge below and the Winelands spread out behind you.
On Mufasa it's the first pass of the tour. On Simba it's the last. Either way, it sets the tone. Here's what to expect.
Bainskloof Pass at a glance
Bainskloof Pass is a tar mountain road on the R301 between Wellington and the Breede River valley near Wolseley. It opened more than 170 years ago and is a national monument.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Road | R301, Wellington to the Breede River near Wolseley |
| Surface | Tar (tarred in 1934) |
| Length | About 30 km |
| Summit | About 595 m |
| Built | 1849–1853, by Andrew Geddes Bain with convict labour |
| Status | National monument |
| Not suitable for | Large vehicles; chain barriers at both ends warn them off |
Andrew Geddes Bain was a self-taught road builder and the father of Thomas Bain, who later built the Swartberg and Prince Alfred passes. Ride Bainskloof on Day 2 of Mufasa and the Swartberg on Day 4, and you've ridden the work of father and son in three days. The pass was closed for renovation between 2020 and 2022.
What the ride is like
- Narrow and twisting. The road is cut into the mountainside, often just wide enough for two cars, with rock walls on one side and low stone walls on the other.
- The gorge. For much of the climb the river runs far below, with rock pools and waterfalls you'll glimpse through the corners.
- Blind corners. Many bends are tight and hidden by the rock. This is a pass to ride smoothly, not fast.
- Changing views. Looking back, the Wellington valley and the Winelands open up behind you. Over the top, the Breede River valley and the mountains of the interior come into view.
It's a tar pass, so it suits every rider and every bike. The challenge is the narrowness and the traffic, not the surface.
Riding tips and stops
- 1.Ride it early or midweek. Weekends bring cyclists, hikers and day-trippers from Cape Town.
- 2.Keep left in the blind bends. Oncoming cars often cut the corners. New to riding on the left? Take this pass slowly.
- 3.Watch for cyclists and hikers on the road, especially near the top, where trails start.
- 4.Expect wet patches in the shaded gorge sections after rain.
- 5.Stop at the viewpoints. There are regular pull-offs with room to park safely.
- 6.Take a break at the top. Tweede Tol, about 16 km from Wellington, has a picnic area and rock pools, and there's a small village near the northern end.
Ride Bainskloof on Mufasa or Simba
- [Mufasa](/tour/mufasa) opens with it. Day 2 leaves Cape Town over Bainskloof, then crosses the Hex River Valley before the tar ends and the Karoo gravel begins, arriving at Inverdoorn Big Five reserve for the night.
- [Simba](/tour/simba) saves it for the end. Day 8 rides from Aquila Private Game Reserve back to Cape Town over Bainskloof, with the Winelands below you on the way home.
Both tours have a guide in front, a support vehicle with a spare bike behind, and a choice of more than ten adventure motorcycles. Not sure which suits you? Read Simba or Mufasa: road tour or gravel tour?, or see Simba dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bainskloof Pass tar or gravel?
Tar, since 1934. It's narrow and twisty, but fully paved.
How far is Bainskloof Pass from Cape Town?
The pass starts at Wellington, about an hour's ride from Cape Town.
How long is Bainskloof Pass?
About 30 km from Wellington to the Breede River near Wolseley.
Who built Bainskloof Pass?
Andrew Geddes Bain, between 1849 and 1853, using convict labour. His son Thomas built the Swartberg and Prince Alfred passes.
Is Bainskloof Pass suitable for beginners?
Yes, for anyone comfortable on a motorcycle. It's tar throughout. Just take the blind corners slowly.
Can large vehicles use the pass?
No. It's unsuitable for large vehicles, and chain barriers at both ends warn them off.
About the author
Kerren Wolfin is the founder and lead guide of Africa Moto Tours. He personally leads every South Africa departure and rides Bainskloof at the start or end of every tour. He built AMT to give riders the African adventure he wanted to find as a new guide, and to create a home for guides who meet the same standard.
