Skip to content
Loadshedding --
CT now
🕒 --:-- 🌡️ --°C / --°F 🌬️ -- m/s
Transport · Mountain Passes

Cape Town Mountain Pass Status

Live status of 8 mountain passes and scenic drives near Cape Town. Check if a road is open before you go.

8
Passes Tracked
5
No closures
1
Closures
2
Restrictions
~200km
Total Length
Important: Statuses are updated automatically every hour from multiple sources (TomTom Traffic API, chapmanspeakdrive.co.za). Conditions can change rapidly — always confirm with the official source before travelling, especially after severe weather.

Status Guide

No closure reported

No road closures or incidents were detected for this route. The road is likely passable, but conditions can change — always check before travelling.

Road closed (reported)

A full road closure has been reported. Do not attempt to drive — use an alternative route.

Caution

Lane closures, road works, flooding, or other restrictions have been reported. The badge shows the specific type when known. The road may be passable but expect delays or reduced lanes.

Pass Locations

Chapman's Peak Drive M6 No closure reported Toll

Updated 49 minutes ago · Source: tomtom.com
Location Between Hout Bay and Noordhoek
Altitude 593m
Length 9km
Managed by chapmanspeakdrive.co.za

One of the most scenic coastal drives in the world, winding along sheer cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean.

Why it closes

Rockfall, extreme weather, scheduled maintenance

Alternative routes

M3 via Constantia Nek, or M65 via Sun Valley

Official source

chapmanspeakdrive.co.za

Franschhoek Pass R45 Road works reported

Updated 49 minutes ago · Source: tomtom.com
Location Between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp
Altitude 732m
Length 15km
Managed by WC Dept. of Infrastructure

A historic pass connecting the Franschhoek wine valley to Villiersdorp, with sweeping views of the Berg River Dam.

Why it closes

Construction, resurfacing, landslides after heavy rain

Alternative routes

R44 via Stellenbosch and R43 via Grabouw

Official source

WC Dept. of Infrastructure

Bainskloof Pass R301 No closure reported

Updated 49 minutes ago · Source: tomtom.com
Location Between Wellington and Ceres
Altitude 594m
Length 30km
Managed by WC Dept. of Infrastructure

One of the oldest passes in South Africa, built by Andrew Bain in the 1850s. A National Heritage Site known for dramatic mountain scenery.

Why it closes

Rockfall, flood damage, major reconstruction (was closed 2012–2023)

Alternative routes

N1 via Du Toitskloof tunnel, or R46 via Tulbagh

Official source

WC Dept. of Infrastructure

Du Toitskloof Pass R101 Road works reported

Updated 49 minutes ago · Source: tomtom.com
Location Between Paarl and Worcester
Altitude 820m
Length 18km
Managed by WC Dept. of Infrastructure

A scenic toll-free alternative to the N1 Huguenot Tunnel, crossing the rugged Du Toitskloof Mountains.

Why it closes

Snow in winter, rockfall, maintenance

Alternative routes

N1 via Huguenot Tunnel (toll)

Official source

WC Dept. of Infrastructure

Sir Lowry's Pass N2 No closure reported

Updated 49 minutes ago · Source: tomtom.com
Location Between Somerset West and Grabouw
Altitude 454m
Length 8km
Managed by SANRAL

The main gateway from Cape Town to the Overberg region on the N2 highway. One of the busiest mountain passes in the Western Cape.

Why it closes

Accidents, fog in winter, occasional protests

Alternative routes

R44 via Gordon's Bay coastal road

Official source

SANRAL

Clarence Drive R44 No closure reported

Updated 49 minutes ago · Source: tomtom.com
Location Between Gordon's Bay and Rooi-Els
Altitude 50m
Length 20km
Managed by WC Dept. of Infrastructure

A stunning coastal drive along False Bay, frequently rated one of the most beautiful drives in South Africa.

Why it closes

Rockfall, coastal storms, baboon management closures

Alternative routes

N2 via Sir Lowry's Pass to reach Kleinmond/Hermanus

Official source

WC Dept. of Infrastructure

Ou Kaapse Weg M64 Road closed (reported)

Updated 49 minutes ago · Source: tomtom.com
Location Between Tokai and Fish Hoek
Altitude 300m
Length 7km
Managed by City of Cape Town

A popular commuter route through the Silvermine Nature Reserve, connecting the southern suburbs to the False Bay coast.

Why it closes

Wildfires, extreme weather, maintenance

Alternative routes

M3 via Muizenberg, or M4 via Main Road

Official source

City of Cape Town

Constantia Nek M63 No closure reported

Updated 49 minutes ago · Source: tomtom.com
Location Between Constantia and Hout Bay
Altitude 220m
Length 4km
Managed by City of Cape Town

A short but important pass connecting Constantia to Hout Bay, with access to hiking trails on Table Mountain's back slopes.

Why it closes

Wildfires, fallen trees, weather events

Alternative routes

M3 via Wynberg and M42 to Hout Bay via Suikerbossie

Official source

City of Cape Town

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the caution badges mean?
When TomTom detects an active incident on a route, the badge shows the specific type: "Lane closure reported", "Road works reported", or "Flooding reported". The road is usually still passable, but you may encounter delays, reduced speed, or single-lane traffic. Always check the official source for the specific pass before travelling.
Is Chapman's Peak Drive open today?
Chapman's Peak Drive (M6) status changes frequently due to weather and maintenance. Check chapmanspeakdrive.co.za or call 021 791 8220 for real-time status. The road typically closes during strong winds, heavy rain, or rockfall risk.
Is Franschhoek Pass open?
Franschhoek Pass (R45) connects the Franschhoek wine valley to Villiersdorp. It periodically closes for construction and resurfacing. Check the Western Cape Government infrastructure page for current closure notices.
Which mountain passes near Cape Town are closed?
Mountain pass closures near Cape Town change frequently due to weather, construction, and safety concerns. This page tracks 8 key passes. Check each pass section above for current status and last verified date.
What is the best alternative to Chapman's Peak Drive?
When Chapman's Peak Drive is closed, take the M3 via Constantia Nek to reach Hout Bay, or the M65 via Sun Valley to reach Noordhoek. Both are reliable year-round alternatives.
Are mountain passes safe to drive in winter?
Most Western Cape mountain passes are driveable in winter, but conditions can change rapidly. Chapman's Peak and Clarence Drive close most often due to weather. Sir Lowry's Pass (N2) can experience fog. Always check conditions before travelling, carry warm clothing, and drive cautiously in wet weather.

How we get this data

This page checks road conditions automatically every hour using live traffic data.

  • TomTom Traffic API — Our primary source for all passes. We query real-time incident data for road closures, lane restrictions, roadworks, and flooding reports. Status labels are our editorial interpretation of TomTom incident categories.
  • chapmanspeakdrive.co.za — Chapman's Peak has its own official status page. We check it for cross-validation alongside TomTom data.
  • Western Cape Dept. of Infrastructure — Provincial road notices
  • SANRAL — National roads (N2)
  • City of Cape Town — Municipal roads

Traffic incident data © TomTom International BV. Road status assessments are our own editorial interpretation of reported incidents.