The gravel road that climbs from Oudtshoorn over the Swartberg Mountains and down into the Karoo town of Prince Albert on the other side is one of the most dramatic mountain drives in South Africa. The pass rises more than 1,500 metres in under 24 kilometres, with switchback after switchback and views that extend across the entire Little Karoo.
The road is classified as a National Monument and is maintained in roughly its original nineteenth-century condition — which means it is gravel, sometimes steep, and not suitable for low-clearance vehicles. A standard sedan in good condition can usually manage it in dry weather, but check conditions before setting out. The drive to Prince Albert and back is a full day trip and a very good one.