The quest for the best driving roads in the Cape

Posted on 26 April 2013

Living in the Western Cape and being a petrolhead has its advantages when it comes to driving. The tarmac is well-maintained and, combined with scenery and views pinched directly from a travel brochure, you’re looking at many kilometres of driving heaven.

For the first of my Europcar Road Tripper excursions which was to the Franschhoek Motor Museum, I briefly experienced an exhilarating stretch of tarmac outside of Stellenbosch. This got me thinking. Beyond Franschhoek, how many more kilometres of driving Utopia lay ahead? How much ground could I cover in a few hours? 

I had taken advice from all corners – everyone knew of an impressive road which would satisfy my desire. The trouble was I needed to link them all together. Using the Road Tripper app on Facebook, I spent a few hours trying to work a decent route which would cover the maximum distance possible over the best roads.

Then there was the question of choice of vehicle. Naturally, I was looking for something with a bit of power. Initially I’d gone for gold and requested a McLaren Mp4-12C – according to many the most precise driving tool on the road right now, but sadly some logistics prevented the keys from falling into my hands. Thanks to an amazing bit of last-minute negotiation, I landed up behind the wheel of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Off the top of my head, I realised this little Briton easily ticked all the boxes. It was quick, it was pretty and more importantly, it wasn’t going to be uncomfortable to drive long distances.

The route is identical to the first trip and in the time it took to get to Stellenbosch, I took the time to familiarise myself with this British brute. Once through Stellenbosch, you’re looking for the Helshoogte road to Franschhoek and this is the first stretch of driving heaven.

Helshoogte Pass

This is a seven kilometre stretch of road which joins Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Combining many sweeping bends with good straight stretches, Helshoogte Pass is a good place to warm up. It is two lanes for most of the way too, meaning slower traffic should keep to the left. Many superbikes also come out to play on this road so be wary. The trick here is to take it gently and appreciate the sweeps. Once you’re done, coast through the town of Pniel and then turn right onto the R45 to Franschhoek.

Franschhoek is a tourist town and offers visitors a bewildering array of food and wine choices. I wasn’t hungry, but the Aston was and a quick 15-minute stop at a petrol station was necessary. With the Vantage sipping unleaded and me sipping Red Bull, it was time to head to the world-famous Franschhoek Pass.

Franschhoek Pass

Right, this is the big one: the daddy of Cape mountain roads. It’s fast, it’s technical and there is little margin for error. Once you pass the brown sign marked ‘Franschhoek Pass for 13km’, it’s time put the hammer down. The road is a single lane up the hill with easy turns, with a cliff face on your right, and a sheer drop to your left. Your first challenges are the two tighter-than-they-look hairpin bends and then once you’re at the top, you can stop and admire the views over Franschhoek. The next challenge is a third hairpin which, if you’re coming in fast, you’ll need to slow right down and turn hard left. A series of quick turns then follow and sadly, before you know it, you’re levelling out and reaching the bottom. Many choose to do a U-turn and go back up, but I had more roads to cover. Words can’t really describe how magnificent this road is and the best part is you can enjoy it in almost any car. Words also can’t really describe the ferocious thunderstorm roar of the Aston Martin echoing off the cliff face.

Carry on along the R45 which runs alongside the enormous Theewaterskloofdam and once you reach the T-junction, turn left. This road is a personal favourite as it combines some drops, some climbs and just as you’re wondering when it will end, you reach the Viljoen’s Pass.

Viljoen’s Pass

This one isn’t well known at all and I discovered it by accident when trying to find a quick route to the N2. It has an extremely wide left hairpin bend and a very steep climb, which then drops into a valley where the road splits a pine forest. It’s quite easily one of the more picturesque routes with a bit of a European feel to it and you don’t need to go flat out to appreciate it. After a few S-curves, you’ll reach a T-junction which will take you to Grabouw.

Once you’re through Grabouw, it’s time to join the N2 highway for a bit. Take the Hermanus turn off by Botrivier and carry on down the R43. Turn right onto the R44 at Arabella Country Estate and enjoy the sight of the Atlantic Ocean as you cruise into Kleinmond and then through Betty’s Bay.

Rooi Els Road

If you want the seaside equivalent of Franschhoek Pass, this is it. If you want a road which combines technical driving with achingly-beautiful views, this it. I mark the start of this road as the bridge just after Rooi Els and from then on, you’re in for a treat. It’s a single lane road which winds its way along the coastline, with many opportunities to stop and take photos. The majority of the road is blind and overtaking gaps are rare. If you get stuck behind someone, pull over in one of the designated spots, wait a few moments and then resume your drive. For me, this is the ultimate driving road.

Bonus: Gordon’s Bay sewerage works road

So you want one last thrill before heading into Gordon’s Bay for a refreshment? You’re in luck, there’s a relatively unknown road that’s well worth a quick 15 minute detour. Look out for a right turn as you’re coming into Gordon’s Bay. There’s no signpost, so you may miss it. Power straight up the hill for about a kilometre, brake hard for the hairpin and then carry on up the hill. Stop at the parking lot at the top and enjoy one of my personal favourite views.

That’s it. Once you come back down, you have two options. Stop at Gordon’s Bay for sundowners at one of the many bars and cafes, or you can jump onto the N2 and within 30 minutes, you’ll be entering the outskirts of Cape Town. After this trip, sundowners were definitely in order. The real hero of this story is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage though. Not only is it brutally fast and loud when you’re driving hard, it’s also quite settled and dignified when cruising between the passes, which meant I wasn’t exhausted after the trip. Would I do it again? Absolutely.

This trip is the second in a three-part series using the Europcar Road Tripper app. The Facebook-based app allows the creation of your very own road trip, complete with photos and useful information such as accommodation, landmarks and restaurants. You can print it out and use it as a map, as well as share it online so other users can be inspired by your travels. Who knows? Your road trip may become a part of someone else’s …

Trip advisor

This trip involves a LOT of driving, so be prepared and take friends along to share the experience. In terms of time, this route took over three hours and I’d suggest packing a picnic and make a day trip of it. It’s a brilliant day out and will appeal to everyone. My driving partner isn’t a petrolhead, yet she will happily admit the trip was one of the highlights of her year.

Helshoogte: a gentle warm-up. Keep an eye out for the bikes as they're a lot faster than you think.

Driving road, pretty scenery, fast car. Recipe for perfection.

This road renders every adjective and superlative obsolete. Drive it and you'll have an unforgettable experience.

The image pretty much sums up what this road trip is all about.

Like a coiled snake ready to strike, this hairpin bend is dangerous if you're not wary.

After the Franschhoek Pass ends, you're facing gentle bends past the magnificent Theewaterskloof Dam.

After the hairpin at Viljoen’s Pass ... it's wide and wild.

A certain British lady was rather thirsty...

The R44 coming out of Rooi Els. Narrow, fast with perfect views.

Welcome to driving heaven ...

One of the finest roads in the Cape, and the view from the top is sensational.

Looking out over Gordon's Bay from the top.

The hard-working hero of this story: Aston Martin's V8 Vantage.

The Europcar Road Tripper App

How does the Europcar Road Tripper app work, you ask? Firstly, it’s free and secondly, all you need is access to a Facebook account on a pc or a desktop. It allows the creation of your very own road trip, complete with photos and useful information such as accommodation, landmarks and restaurants. You can print it out and use it as a map, as well as share it online so other users can be inspired by your travels. Who knows? Your road trip may become a part of someone else’s.

You can follow the hashtag #roadtripper, myself @DaveTheCarGuy or @EuropcarSA as I make my way around the Western Cape on weekends.

 






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