Joubert's Pass: Top 20 list of South African gravel road passes

Joubert's Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.234m (7,329ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. 

The road traversing the pass, also known as Jouberts Pass, is gravel and links Lady Grey to Barkly East close to the Lesotho border in the Witteberg Mountains. It has a maximum gradient of 1:6. It has all the elements of steep gradients, rough surfaces, grandiose views, high altitudes, extreme weather and careful driving to make it onto the the Top 20 list of South African gravel road passes.

This road is usually open all year, but it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. The road passes through beautiful farmlands before rising up through the Lammergeier Nature Reserve. The road over the pass was opened in 1914 and it was built by seven farmers of which five had the surname Joubert (hence the name). At the summit there is a stone monument inscribed with the name of a number of Joubert family members plus two others. 

 

• Hela Hela Pass is a steep unpaved road in South Africa
• Outeniqua Pass offers spectacular views changing at every corner