Chapman’s Peak Drive
Chapmans Peak. is claimed to be one of the most scenic drives in the world. It was originally constructed during World War I. Several vehicle commercials have been filmed here showing cars hugging the corners around the steep cliffs that are carved into the mountain.
There are a total of 114 curves on the nine kilometer road that follows the rocky coastline. On one section of the road you have to drive through a notch that has been cut out of the cliff side. 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 go horseback riding. Hout Bay is another area that you’ll pass by. The beach is excellent for swimming. Both of these towns have numerous restaurants and quaint little shops.
Camps Bay Beach
Yet another beach along the Chapman’s Peak drive is Camps Bay Beach, it is one of the most popular. 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 was a Saturday at 6pm, apparently a busy time. There were hundreds of people along the beach and the restaurants across the street were packed as well.
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