Biggest altitude gain ranking of 500 South African passes

South Africa is a country renowned for its varied topography and occupies the southern tip of the African continent.

On this list you can discover the biggest altitude gain ranking of 500 South African passes.

Rank	Pass (Zone)	Elevation gain (m)
1	Sani Pass KZN	1332
2	Mariepskop Pass MPL	1100
3	Clivia Pass MPL	1047
4	Baster Voetslaan Pass EC	909
5	Baviaans-Kouga 4x4 EC	905
6	Gamkaskloof WC	872
7	Prince Alfreds Pass WC	837
8	Verlatenkloof Pass NC	837
9	Pakhuis Pass WC	824
10	Ouberg Pass NC	820
11	Studers Pass NC	809
12	Swartberg Pass WC	800
13	Naudes Nek EC	795
14	Bedrogfontein 4x4 EC	755
15	Carlisleshoekspruit Pass EC	739
16	Diepgezet Pass MPL	738
17	Kaapsehoop Pass MPL	736
18	Voortrekker Pass WC	724
19	Ongeluks Nek EC	721
20	Katberg Pass EC	710
21	Bothas Nek MPL	707
22	Langeni Pass EC	693
23	Long Tom Pass MPL	682
24	Nico Malan Pass EC	673
25	Botterkloof NC	671
26	Van Reenens Pass KZN	663
27	Volunteershoek/Bidstone EC	652
28	Du Toitskkloof Pass Old WC	651
29	Hela Hela Pass KZN	651
30	Molteno Pass WC	647
31	Otto du Plessis Pass EC	639
32	Georges ValleyRoad LPO	632
33	Barkly Pass EC	626
34	Mokobulaan MPL	625
35	Watervalsrivier Pass MPL	625
36	Fullershoek Pass EC	616
37	Saddleback Pass MPL	609
38	Langkloof Poort (Garies)NC	605
39	Orrie Baragwanath East LPO	602
40	Vanrhyns Pass NC	595
41	Mikes Pass KZN	591
42	Rooiberg Pass	589
43	Bosluiskkloof WC	585
44	Klipkraal Pass MPL	575
45	Outeniqua Pass WC	575
46	Kumajaba Pass EC	562
47	Jouberts Pass EC	556
48	Gannaga NC	548
49	Robbers Pass MPL	546
50	Masjiennek Pass MPL	539
51	Droelandskloof Pass WC	531
52	Old Mill Drift 4x4 FS	531
53	Robinson Pass WC	523
54	Tarka Botha Pass EC	520
55	Normandien Pass KZN	515
56	Cecil Macks Pass KZN	513
57	Theronsberg WC	513
58	Kowyns Pass	512
59	Satans Nek Pass EC	508
60	Abel Erasmus Pass LPO	502
61	Rogers Pass KZN	500
62	Grootrivierhoogte Pass WC	496
63	Attaquaskloof Pass WC	495
64	Kransvleikloof Pass WC	494
65	Eselbank Pass WC	486
66	Blyderivier Poort MPL	480
67	Seweweekspoort WC	479
68	Eureka City Pass MPL	478
69	Blinkberg Pass WC	477
70	Potjiesberg Pass WC	474
71	Bouldersberg Pass MPL	473
72	Nieuwoudts Pass WC	471
73	Franschoek Pass WC	468
74	Swaershoek Pass EC	468
75	Gifberg Pass WC	466
76	Michels Pass EC	466
77	Sak se Pad Pass KZN	465
78	Dasklip Pass WC	463
79	Pot River Pass EC	460
80	Bainskloof Pass WC	446
81	Kouberg Pass WC	446
82	Magoesbaskloof Pass LPO	446
83	Skurweberg Pass MPL	444
84	Shiyalongubo Pass MPL	443
85	Versfeld Pass WC	443
86	Groot Zuikerboschkop MPL	439
87	Brooks Nek Pass EC	436
88	Steenkampsberg Pass MPL	434
89	Braamhoek Pass KZN	432
90	Greylings Pass EC	431
91	Helpmekaar Pass KZN	429
92	Rooiwalshoek Pass MPL	427
93	Kei Cuttings EC	422
94	Mlengana Pass EC	421
95	Paardekop Pass WC	417
96	Doornhoek Pass LPO	415
97	Bezuidenhouts Pass KZN	410
98	Nelshoogte Pass MPL	407
99	Sir Lowrys Pass WC	406
100	Joubertspoort WC	405
101	Elands Pass WC	403
102	Knights Pass KZN	396
103	Garcia Pass WC	390
104	Wilgekraal Pass MPL	390
105	Hogsback Pass EC	388
106	Middledale Pass KZN	388
107	Gydo Pass WC	387
108	Seekoeigat Pass WC	387
109	Highlands Pass WC	384
110	Montagu Pass WC	382
111	Donkies Pass KZN	378
112	Middelberg Pass WC	378
113	De Jagers Pass WC	376
114	Rooihoogte Pass WC	375
115	Peerboomskloof Pass WC	374
116	Elandskloof Pass WC	373
117	Steenbras Mountain Rd WC	373
118	Uitkyk Pass WC	373
119	Grey's Pass WC	369
120	Pitseng Pass EC	368
121	Mullers Pass KZN	365
122	Wapadsberg Pass EC	364
123	Donkey Pass FS	356
124	Maanhaarrand Pass NW	356
125	Noustrop Pass KZN	353
126	Tarka Pass EC	353
127	Doringnek Pass EC	351
128	Watervalsberg Pass WC	346
129	Hex River Pass WC	345
130	Piekenierskloof Pass WC	344
131	Gysmanshoek Pass WC	342
132	Teekloof Pass NC	341
133	Oukloof Pass NC	340
134	Benjaminshoogte Pass EC	336
135	Burgers Pass WC	334
136	Hoek se Berg Pass WC	334
137	Combrinks Pass EC	333
138	Elandskloof Pass R303 WC	333
139	Roodezandkloof Pass WC	333
140	Buffelshoek Pass EC	330
141	Bloukrans NC	329
142	Koueveld Pass WC	327
143	Hilltop Pass MPL	326
144	Witelskloof Pass WC	324
145	Cloetes Pass WC	323
146	Anenous Pass NC	322
147	Daggaboersnek EC	321
148	Kamieshoogte Pass NC	319
149	Pienaars Pass WC	316
150	Sabana Pass KZN	316
151	Bakkers Pass LPO	314
152	Bakenkop Pass MPL	313
153	Dontsa Pass EC	313
154	Holgat Pass EC	313
155	Mount Carmel Pass MPL	310
156	Koebee Pass WC	309
157	Ou Kaapse Weg WC	308
158	Houwhoek PassNew WC	307
159	Hattingshoogte Pass KZN	304
160	Huisrivier Pass WC	304
161	Komsberg Pass NC	304
162	Van Tonders Pass KZN	302
163	Pefferskop Pass EC	300
164	Buffelshoek Pass R303 WC	298
165	Cala Pass EC	298
166	Hottentotskloof Pass WC	298
167	Op de Tradouw Pass WC	297
168	Uitkyk Pass MPL	297
169	Brand se Berg Pass WC	296
170	Wonderkloof Pass MPL	296
171	Bushmanskloof Pass WC	295
172	Bulhoek Pass EC	294
173	Kapteinskloof Pass WC	292
174	Lundins Nek EC	291
175	Carstenberg Pass WC	290
176	Sondagsrivier Pass KZN	290
177	De Beers Pass EC	289
178	Ghwarriepoort EC	289
179	Rubidge Kloof Pass EC	283
180	Jaap se Hoogte Pass MPL	282
181	Katbakkies Pass WC	282
182	Griffins Hill KZN	279
183	Antoniesberg Pass EC	278
184	Schimpers Nek KZN	278
185	De Beers Pass KZN	277
186	Grootvlei Pass NC	277
187	Oudekloof/Roodezand WC	277
188	Jan Phillips Mtn Rd WC	276
189	Old Cape Road WC	273
190	Oudekloof Pass Modern WC	271
191	eRoma Pass EC	267
192	Penhoek Pass EC	267
193	Boesmanshoek Pass KZN	266
194	Du Toitskloof Pass New WC	266
195	Majubanek Pass KZN	266
196	Remhoogte Pass WC	266
197	Klipspringer Pass WC	264
198	Rammelkop Pass NC	263
199	Ingogo Heights KZN	262
200	Leeunek Pass KZN	262
201	Meiringspoort WC	262
202	Kraai River Pass EC	261
203	Kingscote Cutting KZN	260
204	Wildehondskloofhoogte WC	260
205	Caspers Nek MPL	259
206	Endoumeni Pass KZN	258
207	Elandsnek Pass 4x4 KZN	257
208	Floorshoogte Pass WC	257
209	The Devils Pass KZN	257
210	Kranspoort Pass	256
211	Trapvoet Pass WC	255
212	Schoemans Kloof MPL	254
213	Du Plessis Pass WC	253
214	Red Hill Rd WC	253
215	Ouberg Pass EC	252
216	Kraaibosberg Pass WC	250
217	Ouberg Pass (P2204)	249
218	Nardouskloof Pass WC	246
219	Barkers Nek Pass EC	244
220	Langkloof Pass WC	244
221	Qachas Nek EC	243
222	Helshoogte Pass WC	242
223	Bothas Pass KZN	240
224	Koffiehoogte Pass MPL	240
225	Burgers Pass KZN	238
226	Karelskraal Pass NC	238
227	Outol Pass WC	238
228	Bottelnek Pass EC	237
229	Swaarmoed Pass WC	235
230	Suurberg Pass EC	234
231	Khyber Pass KZN	233
232	Camps Bay Drive	232
233	Jantjieshoek Pass MPL	230
234	Rooihoogte Pass PVT - MPL	230
235	Sudwala Pass MPL	227
236	Hemel & Aarde Pass WC	226
237	Barrington Pass WC	225
238	De Beers Nek Pass MPL	225
239	Havemannshoogte KZN	225
240	Ecca Pass EC	224
241	Hankey Pass EC	224
242	Wildeperdehoek Pass NC	223
243	Grootrivier Pass WC	222
244	Naudesberg Pass EC	221
245	Buffelskloof Pass MPL	220
246	Kredouw Pass WC	220
247	Tyger Valley Road	220
248	Schoemanspoort WC	219
249	Tradouw Pass WC	219
250	Chom se Hoogte MPL	218
251	Nonesis Nek EC	216
252	Rooirantnek Pass KZN	216
253	Witnekke Pass WC	215
254	Uitkomst (BoSwaarmoed) WC	210
255	Wapadskloof Pass MPL	210
256	Witklip Pass MPL	208
257	Mpageni Pass MPL	205
258	Boosmansbos Pass WC	204
259	Jakkalskloof Pass WC	204
260	Ouberg Pass Montagu WC	203
261	Nuwekloof Pass EC	202
262	Rondevlei Pass WC	202
263	Taal Monument Pass WC	202
264	Hoogte Pass WC	201
265	Hoekwil Pass WC	200
266	Lootsberg Pass EC	200
267	Viljoens Pass WC	200
268	Elands Pass MPL	198
269	Rooihoogte Pass (R43) WC	198
270	Bergvliet Pass MPL	197
271	Grobbelaarskloof Pass KZN	197
272	Sandspruit Pass KZN	197
273	Tierberg Pass WC	197
274	Karwyderskraal Pass WC	196
275	Phantom Pass WC	196
276	Stormsvlei Poort WC	195
277	Red Hill Pass EC	192
278	Kloof Nek Road (M62)	189
279	Veraaiers Nek MPL	189
280	Bothmaskloof WC	188
281	Crossroads Pass MPL	188
282	Groot Brak Hoogte Pass WC	188
283	Swartmodderfontein Pass KZN	188
284	Moodies Pass WC	185
285	Witnek Pass EC	185
286	Burkes Pass NC	184
287	Grasnek Pass EC	184
288	Heights Rd Wilderness WC	184
289	Bruintjieshoogte EC	181
290	Kareedouw Pass EC	181
291	Kloof Road WC	181
292	Groot Doringhoek Pass EC	180
293	Olifantskop Pass EC	180
294	Whites Rd Wilderness WC	180
295	Kiepersol Pass MPL	179
296	Bergenaarspad Pass NC	177
297	Lugogoda Pass MPL	177
298	Ruigtevlei Pass WC	177
299	Bontebok Pass WC	176
300	Smoushoogte Pass NC	176
301	Bloukrans Pass WC	175
302	Draaihoek se Hoogte FS	175
303	Rhodes Drive WC	174
304	Tafelberg Road (CT)	174
305	All Saints Nek EC	173
306	Soutars Hill Pass KZN	173
307	Jan Muller Pass WC	172
308	Glenluce Pass KZN	171
309	Kom se Pad WC	171
310	Hagelkraal Pass WC	170
311	Buffalo Pass EC	169
312	Voetpadhoogte Pass WC	169
313	Kammanassie Pass WC	168
314	Michells Pass WC	167
315	Scheepershoogte Pass WC	167
316	Kaaimans River Pass WC	166
317	Haarwegskloof WC	165
318	Constantia Nek WC	164
319	Rust en Vrede Pass WC	164
320	Collings Pass KZN	163
321	Kleinvlei Pass WC	163
322	Hennings Pass MPL	162
323	Laings Nek Pass KZN	162
324	Wadrift Pass WC	162
325	Soutpansnek KZN	161
326	Korannaberg Pass OFS	160
327	Langkloof Pass 1 NC	160
328	Coetzees Poort WC	159
329	Lichens Pass FS	158
330	Bonnet Pass MPL	157
331	Moordkuilrivier Pass WC	156
332	Storms River Pass EC	156
333	Victoria Road & 12 Apostles	155
334	Pivaanspoort KZN	154
335	Shaws Mountain Pass WC	154
336	De Jagersnek Pass MPL	153
337	Homtini Pass WC	153
338	Victoria Bay Pass WC	153
339	Thyshoogte Pass NC	152
340	Dagbreek Pass WC	151
341	Die Bloubanke Pass WC	151
342	Kastrolnek Pass MPL	151
343	Keiskie se Poort NC	150
344	Vanrooyshoogte Pass FS	149
345	Varsbokkraal Pass WC	149
346	Muiskraal Pass	148
347	Olof Bergh Pass WC	148
348	Sandberg Pass WC	148
349	Dassieshoek Pass WC	147
350	Goudvelde Pass MPL	147
351	Santa Pass MPL	147
352	Blouhoogte Pass MPL	145
353	Kromrivier Pass WC	145
354	Joubertsnek Pass MPL	144
355	Sedgefield Mountain Rd WC	144
356	Suikerbossie, Hout Bay	144
357	Elgin Valley Road WC	142
358	Rooinek Pass R34 FS	141
359	Uniondale Poort WC	141
360	Gouna Pass WC	140
361	Horns Nek GTG	140
362	Van Stadens Pass EC	140
363	Blackhill Pass WC	139
364	Allemanshoek Pass WC	137
365	Wapadsnek Pass WC	137
366	Blaauwkrantz Pass EC	136
367	Houw Hoek Pass (Old)	136
368	Mpate Heights KZN	136
369	Carlton Heights NC	134
370	Prinsrivier Pass WC	134
371	Fonteinskloof Pass EC	133
372	Jan Trichardt Pass LPO	132
373	Moordenaarsnek EC	131
374	Allemansnek Pass MPL	129
375	Boyes Drive WC	128
376	Strykhoogte Pass WC	128
377	Brandons Pass KZN	127
378	Uniondale Heights EC	127
379	Chuniespoort LPO	126
380	Ottaspoort Pass NC	126
381	Dwarskloof Pass WC	124
382	Bastards Poort WC	123
383	Killians Pass NC	123
384	Colona Nek EC	122
385	Smitswinkel Road WC	122
386	Messelpad Pass NC	121
387	Devils Bellows EC	120
388	Van der Stel Pass WC	117
389	Ballots Bay Pass WC	116
390	Murrays Neck Pass KZN	116
391	Kwaaimans Pass EC	115
392	Oliviershoek Pass KZN	115
393	Grasnek Pass MPL	114
394	Gregory's Nek KZN	114
395	Verkyknek Pass MPL	114
396	Bloupuntrivier Poort WC	112
397	Keikamspoort NC	112
398	Leeuriviershoogte WC	112
399	Chapmans Peak Drive WC	111
400	Akkedisberg Pass WC	109
401	Buffelspoort NW	109
402	Klipfonteinrant WC	109
403	Krokodil Poort MPL	108
404	Touws-Sewefontein WC	108
405	Paardekloof Pass N9 EC	107
406	Perrieshoogte EC	105
407	Visierkerfnek KZN	105
408	Bakenshoogte Pass NC	103
409	Jukhoogte Pass WC	103
410	Wakkerstroomnek MPL	103
411	Charles' Pass NC	102
412	Slangkop Pass WC	102
413	Bloedrivierpoort KZN	101
414	Noupoortnek FS	101
415	Rooikloof Pass NC	101
416	Bakoondhoogte Pass WC	100
417	Droekloof Pass WC	100
418	Signal Hill Road (CT)	100
419	Cats Pass EC	99
420	Karoo Poort WC	99
421	Tintwa Pass KZN	99
422	Huis se Hoogte Pass WC	98
423	Waterfall Hill KZN	97
424	Baillies Pass NC	96
425	Roseberg Pass WC	96
426	Beerpoort Pass EC	95
427	Hoogekraal Pass WC	95
428	Kaaimansgat Pass WC	95
429	Schuinshoogte Pass KZN	95
430	Klein Swartberg Pass WC	94
431	Perdepoort Pass EC	92
432	Touw Rivier Pass WC	92
433	Die Venster (R46) WC	91
434	Tierkloof Pass KZN	90
435	Aapsrivierpoort WC	89
436	Allemansnek FS	89
437	Clarence Drive WC	88
438	Medenpoort Pass EC	88
439	Van Collers Pass LPO	88
440	Silver River Pass WC	86
441	Brinkshoogte Pass KZN	85
442	Grootnek Pass FS	85
443	Almansnek Pass KZN	84
444	Ikhupe Pass KZN	84
445	Hexrivier Poort WC	83
446	Oupoort Pass NC	82
447	Goliathskraal Pass EC	80
448	Patatanek Pass MPL	80
449	Slanghoek Valley Road WC	79
450	Bestehoogte Pass FS	77
451	Munnikspoort EC	76
452	Mollshoogte Pass KZN	75
453	Sandhoogte Road WC	75
454	Wasbank Pass WC	75
455	Wolwedans Dam Rd WC	75
456	Rooipoort Pass NC	74
457	Rooinek Pass WC	73
458	Potters Pass EC	72
459	Tierbergspoort WC	72
460	Vlaknek Pass FS	72
461	Kwaggasnek Pass KZN	70
462	Lafrashoogte Pass FS	70
463	Smuts Pass EC	70
464	Buys Poort EC	69
465	Snyderspoort Pass NC	69
466	Bells Pass FS	68
467	Swartrivier Pass WC	68
468	Adolphus Poort EC	67
469	Helspoort Pass EC	67
470	Swanepoelspoort EC	66
471	Latemanek Pass MPL	65
472	Karatara Pass WC	64
473	Killians Pass EC	64
474	Scheepersnek KZN	64
475	Montrose Pass MPL	61
476	Paardepoort P1648 WC	61
477	Turck se Pas NC	61
478	Windpoort NC	61
479	Donkerpoort GTG	60
480	Blounek Pass WC	59
481	Kamferspoort Pass EC	58
482	Nicholsons Pass KZN	58
483	Pettigrews Nek MPL	57
484	Doringkraal Pass WC	56
485	Poortjieskloof Pass WC	56
486	Volstruisnek Pass WC	56
487	Wylies Poort LPO	56
488	Witwaterspoort WC	55
489	Koffiekloof Pass KZN	53
490	Lombardskop Nek KZN	53
491	Studtis Poort EC	53
492	Nuwekloof Pass R46 WC	51
493	Klipnek Pass FS	50
494	Masekwaspoort LPO	50
495	Baviaanspoort GTG	48
496	Bloubank Nek KZN	47
497	Keays Pass KZN	47
498	Witkranspoort WC	47
499	Rankins Pass LPO	46
500	Hessekwas Nek WC	45

 

Pic: Mark Attree

• Adventure along the R332 Road
• Matroosberg Peak: courage is required to drive to the summit