Cape Town - There’s something liberating about venturing gradual slopes that gives one an accessible and intimate feel.
If the road leading up to Mpumalanga’s most famous pass calls some to move, it is surely those who revel in its beauty, who makes everyone envious for driving South Africa’s Best Road along the mountainous peaks of Long Tom Pass.
Journeying on the R37 towards Long Tom Pass reveal the wonders of creation that are often forgotten. Unbelievably beautiful mountain vistas and a jaw-dropping elevation of 2150 meters above sea leave on Long Tom Pass make this one of South Africa’s most scenic Best Roads to Drive as quantified by Avis’ scientific approach aptly termed, Avis Driving Ratio (ADR).
With 26km of stretch ahead of you intertwined in 34 bends, this road could easily get a nod of approval for a James Bond-style action flick. Named after the famous large silver cannon which can be located at the top of the pass, the R37 is a perfectly surfaced road giving you one spectacular panoramic view after another.
Scenery is as stunning as you’d expect on a route that connects the charming town of Sabie to the historical villages of Pilgrim's Rest and Graskop, known to many as the town of the gourmet pancake. It is a road typically shrouded in heavy mist and can be dangerous in low visibility conditions. With that in mind, drivers are advised to always adopt best driving practice of reducing driving speed and have all lights on when confronted with such conditions.
Adapted from a press release for IOL
* Experience South Africa’s Best Road to drive at www.avisbestroads.co.za