Tradouw Pass

Tradouw Pass is a pass through the Langeberg mountain range in South Africa. It is part of the R324 and is the main road between Swellendam and Barrydale in the Western Cape.

Tradouw Pass
The Tradouw Pass in South Africa, linking Barrydale with Swellendam and Heidelberg through the Langeberg Mountains.
Elevation	351 m (1,152 ft)
Length	14 kilometres (8.7 mi)
Traversed by	R324
Location	Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa
Range	Langeberg
Coordinates	33°58′32.2″S 20°42′06.6″E
Tradouw Pass (Western Cape)

History

In 1868, the Cape administration decided to build a road through the pass and appointed Thomas Bain to construct the route.^[1] It was built by convict labour.^[1] On 27 October 1873, Cape Governor Sir Henry Barkly opened the route and named it Southey Pass after magistrate Robert Southey.^[1] The name was not popular, and the current name stuck.^[1]

Its name is derived from the Khoi words tarras, 'women' and doas, 'poort or the way through'; who first used the route through the Langeberg.^[2][3]