Bain's Passes

Lootsberg Pass

AndrewAttributed

Attributed to Andrew as part of the road north out of Graaff-Reinet.

N9Route
10.4 kmLength
1,781 mSummit
Tarred(N9)Surface

See it on the mapLog your drive

Before you go

Tarred N9. Snow can cause pile-ups and closures, so check conditions before winter trips.

Road conditions change with weather, floods, fires and roadworks. Check the latest conditions with the road authority or local tourism office before you leave, and carry offline maps.

About this pass

Lootsberg Pass lifts the N9 over the Sneeuberge between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg, topping out at about 1,781 m. Dangerous Roads calls it the highest pass in the Great Karoo, a claim I could not confirm elsewhere. Winter weather is the main hazard. Heavy snow falls now and then, and in July 2017 a five-car collision injured 19 people and a diesel tanker caught fire after losing control in the snow.

The pass is named after Hendrik Loots, who died when his carriage overturned on the old route. Dangerous Roads says the first road through it was built in 1858 by Andrew Geddes Bain. The old railway line also climbs the pass. Blaauwater Railway runs a trolley called Tubby on request, Monday to Saturday, from Blaauwater Siding (about 57 km north-east of Graaff-Reinet) up 11 km of winding track to Lootsberg siding at 1,780 m. The return trip stops for a picnic at Klipspringer Cottage and takes about two hours. Book ahead and check the price.

History

Built by
Attributed to Andrew as part of the road north out of Graaff-Reinet.
Built
1858. It is named as part of Andrew's northern road, but no year is given.
Location
N9, Graaff-Reinet to Middelburg, Eastern Cape
Notes
It is missing from one list of Andrew's passes, and the 1858 date falls while Andrew was working in the Eastern Cape. Treat as attributed until a primary record is seen. Dangerous Roads gives the pass length as 106 km, which is the whole route between the two towns, not the pass, so the 10.4 km figure stays. It names Andrew as builder in 1858 but gives no source, so the card stays Attributed.

Find it

Pin
-31.82717, 24.85550
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Sources

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