Driving Along Chapmans Peak Drive |

Chapman’s Peak Drive, Camps Bay and Long Beach

Chapman’s Peak Drive

We set off for a drive which included Chapmans Peak. It was originally constructed during World War I. It is claimed to be one of the most scenic drives in the world. Many car commercials have been filmed on it. They show the car hugging the corners around the steep cliffs that are carved into the mountain. The cliffs drop straight down to the sea.

The road has 114 curves throughout the nine kilometers that follow the rocky coastline. One part of the road you have to drive through the notch that has been made into the cliff. It is like a three sided cave, but with a cliff dropping off on the open side that faces the ocean. It is truly a breathtaking drive, but not for the faint of heart.

The road was closed due to a rock fall causing a fatality in late 1999. For three years it severely impacted the residents of Hout Bay and effected South Africa’s economy as it denied visitors access to some of the most beautiful scenery on the Cape Peninsula. After extensive upgrading it opened in 2005 as a toll road. It was closed again in 2008 due to areas of risk being identified, but has since reopened.

Noordhoek And Hout Bay

On the drive you will pass between Noordhoek where you might want to stop at Long Beach. It was virtually empty when we were there. It’s a popular place to ride horseback. The other area the route will bring you to is Hout Bay. This area has a beach with good swimming. Both of these towns have numerous restaurants and quaint little shops.

Camps Bay Beach

On the way back from Chapman’s Peak we drove past Camps Bay Beach, it is one of the most popular beaches. We wanted to stop and walk around for a bit, but there were cars parked on both sides of the street for miles all the way to the next bay of water. It happened to be Saturday at about 6pm, one of the busiest times. Hundreds of people were along the beach. The restaurants that lined the other side of the road were quite busy as well.