Where To Stay Logo

Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Nearby Towns
Nearby Points Of Interest
Bain's Kloof Pass was opened in September 1853, was tarred nearly 81 years later in 1934 and declared a National Monument in 1980, 127 years after its opening. (Image adapted).  © A3alb, License

Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Bainskloof Pass is a 30km pass between Ceres and Wellington, which was completed in 1853 by the famous road engineer, Andrew Geddes Bain, and is one of the most picturesque passes in the Cape. Like most of the passes built arround that time, like Michels Pass and Tradouw Pass, Bainskloof was built using convict labour. Often there were up to 350 convicts working on the pass and the number sometimes grew to 450 at any one time, over 1000 different convicts could claim there place in history after building this pass.

Bain started the project from Wellington where he set up a constuction village named Eerste Tol in 1848 which included the usual storerooms and workshops, as well as a hospital, a church or school building, recreation area and stables. Work on the project comenced in 1849. The first section of the pass was the easier section which required a minimal amount of blasting and bridge building, it was on this section, the western approach, that bain planted over 300 oak trees to provide shade on the pass. In 1951 he moved the camp to Tweede Tol, the more trechorous part of the project. This part required blasting through solid rock and reinforing the banks with 20 metre high retaining walls in places. We need to remember that in the 1850s there were no big earthmoving machines and most of the work was done using little more than hand drills, sledge hammers, steel bars, picks and shovels.

The pass was opened in September 1853, was tarred nearly 81 years later in 1934 and declared a National Monument in 1980, 127 years after its opening. Originally built for the horse drawn traffic of the 1950s, Bainskloof Pass is still open today as part of the regional road, the R303.

At the top of the pass, 595 metres above sea level you will find a plantation and a picnic spot, where the road meets the Witte River. The river cascades down the rock faces, through a cleft in the mountainside, down a stretch of rapids, over waterfalls and into natural pools on the northern side of the mountains. Surrounded by interesting rock formations and wild flowers, this is one of the most beatiful stretches of road in the western province. Halfway down the pass there is a beautiful campsite, with an awe inspiring river pool set amid smooth boulders (The Tweede Tol campsite will be receiving new developments and will be closed for bookings until 22 September 2010.) So the 30km stretch of road needn't be just a view through your car window, it can be a destination, to picnic, to hike though what is know as Wolvenkloof, or even spend some time camping.

Could Andrew Geddes Bain and those 1000 convicts ever have imagined that they were making one of the most beautiful parts of the Cape accessible to so many people for over 157 years and for many more to come.


Accommodation Near Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Showing 1 to 10 of 10 results
Mooi Bly
Guest Rating: 10
Sleeps 14 in 4 units
From R 1000
Per unit, per night
* Rates may vary according to season

Mooi Bly

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Paarl

 10.7km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Mooi Bly offers five well-appointed, charming thatched cottages that can sleep up to six people, situated in a big garden with a swimming pool. They are fully equipped, serviced, have private verandas with barbecue facilities and a magnificent view of the   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Middelplaas Paarl Guesthouse
Sleeps 4 in 2 units
From R 375
Per person, per night sharing
* Rates may vary according to season

Middelplaas Paarl Guesthouse

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Paarl

 15.4km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Middelplaas Paarl Guest house is set on a tranquil farm situated within easy reach of the town centre. It is an ideal destination for corporate guests, holidaymakers, wedding guests, school groups, team builders or sports groups.   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

5 Konings Guesthouse
Sleeps 4 in 2 units
From R 518
Per person, per night sharing
* Rates may vary according to season

5 Konings Guesthouse

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Paarl

 17km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

5 Konings Guesthouse offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Paarl, in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Stay in one of our 8 stylishly decorated, en-suite rooms catering for your comfort and enjoyment. All the rooms are equipped with air conditioning...   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Zonnevanger Guest House
Sleeps 28 in 8 units
From R 485
Per person, per night sharing
* Rates may vary according to season

Zonnevanger Guest House

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Paarl

 18.1km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Treat yourself to a night in a luxuriously decorated room within a beautiful idyllic garden setting in the Cape Winelands. The guesthouse is surrounded by romantic Lavender Fields and mountains-meet-vineyard-themed outdoor scenery.   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

d'Olyfboom Guesthouse
Sleeps 10 in 5 units
From R 725
Per person, per night sharing
* Rates may vary according to season

d'Olyfboom Guesthouse

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Paarl

 18.1km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

d'Olyfboom Guesthouse is situated in Paarl and welcomes travellers and tourists who would like to experience the Boland in all its splendour.   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Big Sky Cottages
Graded:
Sleeps 6 in 3 units
From R 900
Per person, per night sharing
* Rates may vary according to season

Big Sky Cottages

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Ceres

 23.4km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Big Sky Cottages is a mere hour drive from Cape Town and offers 10 modern self-catering semi-detached cottages on the foothills of the Mostertshoek Mountain between Wolseley and Ceres, overlooking the beautiful Buchu lands with breathtaking views...   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

White Bridge Farm
Guest Rating: 5
Sleeps 12 in 4 units
From R 1200
Per unit, per night
* Rates may vary according to season

White Bridge Farm

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Wolseley

 24.8km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Whether you are looking for adventure or simply a break away from the city, let White Bridge Farm be your choice of destination. Situated between the R46 and the R43, we are well positioned to visit either Tulbagh, Wolseley or Ceres. We will guarantee tha   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Tulbagh Mountain Cabin & Bungalow
Sleeps 4 in 1 unit
From R 2450
Per unit, per night
* Rates may vary according to season

Tulbagh Mountain Cabin & Bungalow

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Tulbagh

 25.7km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Situated in the Tulbagh Wine Valley between Tulbagh and Wolseley and at the foot of the Winterhoek Mountains, the Mountain Cabin and Mountain Bungalow offer a tranquil hideaway from city life.   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Val d Or Estate
Sleeps 28 in 10 units
From R 4600
Per unit, per night
* Rates may vary according to season

Val d Or Estate

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Franschhoek

 26.2km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Val d'Or Estate offers bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands and Breede River Valley region in the Western Cape. Nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Franschhoek mountains, a few minutes drive...   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Heuwelsig Cottages & Franschhoek Camping
Graded:
Sleeps 20 in 10 units
From R 580
Per unit, per night
* Rates may vary according to season

Heuwelsig Cottages & Franschhoek Camping

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Franschhoek

 26.6km from Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape

Heuwelsig Cottages & Franschhoek Camping offers both self catering accommodation and special sites specifically for motorhomes in Franschhoek. Heuwelsig Cottages is situated on a working wine farm, surrounded by lush vineyard, orchards and scenic...   …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Showing 1 to {{total}} of {{total}} results
No results
Nearby Towns
Nearby Points Of Interest
{{heading}}

{{place.name}}

{{place.category}}
{{place.info}}
View Listing
Hide
×

Special Categories
Show
Close Map

Sign-up to our Great Escapes newsletter

Follow WhereToStay.co.za
X
WhereToStay.co.za Logo
© WhereToStay.co.za 1998-2024
Bain's Kloof Pass - Wellington, Western Cape, Bain`s Kloof Information | WhereToStay.co.za
WTS App Browser