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We track the live status of eight mountain passes and scenic drives near Cape Town, so that a closure can be seen before setting out.
8
Passes Tracked
7
No closures
1
Closures
0
Restrictions
~115km
Total Length
Important:
Statuses are updated automatically every hour between 05:00 and 22:00 (South African time) from live traffic data (TomTom Traffic API) and the official Chapman's Peak website, while closures announced by the Western Cape Government are added by hand. Because conditions can change rapidly, the official source should be checked before travelling, especially after severe weather.
Status Guide
No closure reported
No road closure or incident has been detected on this route, so the road is probably passable, although conditions can change at short notice.
Road closed (reported)
A full closure of the road has been reported, so the pass cannot be driven and an alternative route is needed.
Caution
Lane closures, roadworks, flooding or other restrictions have been reported, and the badge names the specific type where it is known; the road may still be passable, but with delays or fewer open lanes.
Pass Locations
Chapman's Peak Drive
M6
No closure reported
Toll
Updated 2 hours, 35 minutes ago
· Source: chapmanspeakdrive.co.za
LocationBetween Hout Bay and Noordhoek
Altitude161m
Length9km
Managed bychapmanspeakdrive.co.za
The drive winds along sheer cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean and is counted among the most scenic coastal roads in the world.
Why it closes
Rockfall, extreme weather, scheduled maintenance
Alternative routes
M63 over Constantia Nek, then through Constantia to the M64 (Ou Kaapse Weg) and on to Sun Valley
Franschhoek Pass
R45
Closed until further notice (official closure)
Updated 3 months ago
· Source: westerncape.gov.za
LocationBetween Franschhoek and Villiersdorp
Altitude736m
Length15km
Managed byWC Dept. of Infrastructure
This historic pass connects the Franschhoek wine valley to Villiersdorp, with views over the Franschhoek valley and, on the far side, over Theewaterskloof Dam.
Why it closes
Construction, resurfacing, landslides after heavy rain
Alternative routes
N2 over Sir Lowry's Pass to Grabouw, then R321 to Villiersdorp
Updated 2 hours, 35 minutes ago
· Source: tomtom.com
LocationBetween Wellington and Ceres
Altitude594m
Length30km
Managed byWC Dept. of Infrastructure
Built by Andrew Geddes Bain and opened in 1853, this is one of the oldest passes in South Africa; it was declared a national monument in 1980 and is known for its dramatic mountain scenery.
Why it closes
Rockfall, flood damage (last closed May to July 2026), long roadworks
Updated 2 hours, 35 minutes ago
· Source: tomtom.com
LocationBetween Somerset West and Grabouw
Altitude460m
Length8km
Managed bySANRAL
Carrying the N2 highway, the pass is the main gateway from Cape Town to the Overberg region and one of the busiest mountain passes in the Western Cape.
When TomTom detects an active incident on a route, the badge names its type ("Lane closure reported", "Road works reported" or "Flooding reported"). The road is then usually still passable, although delays, reduced speeds or single-lane traffic are likely, and the official source for the pass is the place to confirm its condition before travelling.
Is Chapman's Peak Drive open today?
The status of Chapman's Peak Drive (M6) changes frequently because of weather and maintenance, and the road typically closes in strong winds, in heavy rain or when there is a risk of rockfall. The real-time status is published at chapmanspeakdrive.co.za and is also available by telephone on 021 791 8220.
Is Franschhoek Pass open?
Franschhoek Pass (R45), which connects the Franschhoek wine valley to Villiersdorp, closes from time to time for construction and resurfacing, and current closure notices are posted on the Western Cape Government's infrastructure page.
Which mountain passes near Cape Town are closed?
Closures of mountain passes near Cape Town change frequently because of weather, construction and safety concerns. This page tracks eight key passes, and the section for each pass above gives its current status and the date on which it was last verified.
What is the best alternative to Chapman's Peak Drive?
When Chapman's Peak Drive is closed, the route between Hout Bay and Noordhoek runs along the M63 over Constantia Nek, through Constantia to the M64 (Ou Kaapse Weg) and on to Sun Valley, which takes noticeably longer.
Are mountain passes safe to drive in winter?
Most Western Cape mountain passes can be driven in winter, although conditions change rapidly: Chapman's Peak and Clarence Drive are the passes most often closed by weather, and Sir Lowry's Pass (N2) is prone to fog. It is therefore advisable to check conditions before setting out, to carry warm clothing and to drive cautiously in wet weather.
How we get this data
This page checks road conditions automatically every hour between 05:00 and 22:00 (South African time) using live traffic data.
TomTom Traffic API: our primary source for every pass, from which we query real-time incident data on road closures, lane restrictions, roadworks and flooding; the status labels are our own editorial reading of TomTom's incident categories.
chapmanspeakdrive.co.za: the official status page of Chapman's Peak Drive, which we check against the TomTom data for cross-validation.
Western Cape Dept. of Infrastructure: the official closure notices for provincial roads. When the province declares a long-term closure, we apply it by hand and it takes precedence over live traffic data until the closure is lifted, so a pass showing this source has been verified against the official notice instead of being inferred from traffic sensors.
As a service provider, we are responsible for our own content on these pages in accordance with general laws. However, we are not obligated to monitor transmitted or stored third-party information.
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