Lichens Pass: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Lichens Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,953 m (6,407 ft) above sea level, located in the Free State of South Africa.
Where is Lichens Pass?
The pass, also known as Golden Gate Pass, is located in the eastern part of the country, close to the Lesotho border, within the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Set high in the Maluti Mountains range, the zone is prone to heavy mist and can be dangerous in low visibility conditions. It gets bitterly cold here in mid-winter.
Why is it called Lichens Pass?
The pass is named after the lichens which grow on the cliffs in the area.
Is Lichens Pass paved?
The road through the summit is fully paved. It’s called R712. It features lovely banked corners, but some of them are sharp, with steep sections at 1:15. The speed limit ranges between 60 and 80 kph. The corners near the pass are quite sharp, but the road is nicely engineered, making for a safe drive.
How long is the road to Lichens Pass?
The pass road is 47.8 km (29.70 miles) long, running west-east from Clarens to Phuthaditjhaba.