There is one place that is really important for me here in Cape Town. This is the story of a 9km winding route from Hout Bay to Noordhoek, which is widely regarded as one of the most scenic stretches of road anywhere in the world.
The name is Chapman’s Peak Drive
Cape Town’s Chapman’s Peak Drive is all about the scenery. Overlooking Noordhoek and Hout Bay, this rocky coastal roadway offers numerous points at which motorists can safely pull over and savour a panoramic view across the deep-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the shapely shoreline that meets it.
From stunning vantage points, some of which are up to 593m above sea level, it is not uncommon to see whales and dolphins frolicking in the ocean below, and baboon troops curiously observing passing tourists. This is a perfect place from which to take stunning photographs of the Cape.
Fondly known as ‘Chappies’ to Cape Town residents, Chapman’s Peak Drive also forms part of the route for the Cape Argus Cycle Tour and the Two Oceans Marathon.
Although the road was closed intermittently for a decade or so due to safety concerns related to rock falls, a thorough civil engineering revamp saw the road reopen in late 2009. Chapman’s Peak Drive will now only be closed as a precaution in the event of severe wind or rain.
Dated back to the period 1915-1922, there are 114 curves along Chapman’s Peak Drive, making it necessary for motorists to drive slowly and cautiously – all the better to gaze out at the spectacular vistas!
Article freely adapted from SouthAfrica.net.
