Tradouw Pass
Mountain pass in the Langeberg, Western Cape, South Africa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tradouw Pass is a pass through the Langeberg mountain range in South Africa. It is part of the R324 and is the main road between Swellendam and Barrydale in the Western Cape.
| Tradouw Pass | |
|---|---|
The Tradouw Pass in South Africa, linking Barrydale with Swellendam and Heidelberg through the Langeberg Mountains. | |
| Elevation | 351 m (1,152 ft) |
| Length | 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) |
| Traversed by | R324 |
| Location | Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Range | Langeberg |
| Coordinates | 33°58′32.2″S 20°42′06.6″E |
 | |
  Tradouw Pass (Western Cape) | |
History
In 1868, the Cape administration decided to build a road through the pass and appointed Thomas Bain to construct the route.[1] It was built by convict labour.[1] On 27 October 1873, Cape Governor Sir Henry Barkly opened the route and named it Southey Pass after magistrate Robert Southey.[1] The name was not popular, and the current name stuck.[1]
Its name is derived from the Khoi words tarras, 'women' and doas, 'poort or the way through'; who first used the route through the Langeberg.[2][3]
