Scenic drive outside of Cape Town offers incredible scenery.
After viewing the penguins at Boulders Beach, we made our way back to Camps Bay, but this time took the more scenic route.
From Simon's Town, we took the M6 and connected to Chapman's Peak Drive. Upon entering the drive from the south, you will see signage that warns you of the upcoming toll a the end of the drive.
The first sight along the drive is the vast Noordhoek Beach. It's rather incredible how wide this beach is from the water's edge to the dunes. As you look down to the beach, you're likely to see many horseback riders trotting along.
As you continue on, temptation will be there to stop and admire the beauty along the drive, but with very narrow roads and droves of cyclists along the way, you're best off just continuing at a slow pace and admiring the beauty.
Towards the end of the drive, you'll be opposite the beach of Hout Bay. This is probably the best spot to pull off and take photographs as there is plentiful parking. It may be tempting to grab one of the first spots you see, but if you drive a bit further, you will find more.
After paying the toll, and just before the beach, you'll notice a bronze leopard on your left. This leopard was placed on its rock perch back in 1963 and is a memorial to the many wild animals that once roamed the mountains of the peninsula.
The history of the drive dates back to the 1920s and there has been numerous closures and upgrades to the road since it originally opened. Due to the inherent danger of a roadway along steep cliffs, its wise to check the forecast before driving as rainfall and fog could create treacherous conditions.
Know Before You Go
There is a toll charge to access the road, roughly 50 Rand per vehicle.
A lot of cyclists and runners use this route, so use caution when driving.
While there have been numerous upgrades to the road, use caution as falling rock could occur at any moment.
Check the website prior to visiting as it may be closed due to the weather.
Resources
Location
Located along the coast between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. On the M6 route. Limited parking spots along the drive.
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