Is there another pass that changes as dramatically between landscapes as Prince Alfred Pass in the Western Cape? Linking the lush, coastal forests of Knysna with the dry and sometimes desolate Little Karoo, this pass offers more to the eye than you might expect. By Marié Bester

The Knysna forest has always captivated me ever since I came across Dalene Matthee’s books. Stories of woodcutters, Old Foot, and mysterious forest walkways lure us into this magical environment. When I secured an elusive booking at the Diepwalle Camping Decks in the Garden Route National Park, I was absolutely thrilled!

Our departure from Swellendam was unfortunately much later than planned, and we took the N2 straight to Knysna, from where we turned inland onto the R339. This route passes through lower-income neighbourhoods of Knysna. Completely safe to drive, but pay attention to the turnoff. There aren’t any road signs on the N2 to indicate it is the route to the Diepwalle State Forest.

Not long after you leave the tar road at the edge of the urban border, the forest starts taking back what is hers. She envelopes you with decades-old trees fighting for sunlight high above the smooth, dusty road. She shows you what “green lungs” really mean and parades her swinging, leafy tutu in an ancient dance with the wind. 

After more or less half an hour’s swaying through the forest, the Jimny nosed its way to the Diepwalle Forest Station and campsite. Luckily, we’d booked during peak season and reception was still open when we arrived just after 16h00. 

The magic of Diepwalle 

The camping decks are fantastic: a private and tree-shaded platform to pitch your tent. Each deck has a large metal braai and a covered counter area to store your equipment and bags. Keep in mind that monkeys may visit at any time, you’ll need to tie your tent’s guy ropes to the balustrades, and your car won’t be parked next to the platform. We camped at Site 1, which had the shortest walk to the parking area. Sites 4 and 6 might be tempting being deeper in the forest, but you’ll carry that filled fridge a lot further. 

Once you’ve made yourself at home, there is so much to do in and around the forest station. Three hiking routes start and end at the campsite, differing in length and difficulty. There are clean water sources en route, but after we came across a brown water snake, waiting for an unsuspecting meal to drift past, we opted not to cool off in the streams and steamed ahead.

During the day, we were serenaded by an outburst of cicadas and at night the campsite lit up with hundreds of fireflies. 

One of the Big Trees, the King Edward VII Tree, is only a short boardwalk away. Another beautiful forest hike, the Terblans Walk, can be reached via Kom se Pad Pass.  

Along Kom se Pad

Kom se Pad has been cleared and opened again in the past year. It’s a pleasurable, albeit slow drive. Few people, other than hikers and cyclists, take this route. We took the scenic drive from Diepwalle to the start of the Terblans Walk and picnic area. Do note that this is a SANParks area with gates at both ends of the route between Gouna and Diepwalle. Day visitor’s fees apply with cash or Wild Cards accepted. Gates supposedly close at 16h00; however, if few visitors passed through for the day, they might close earlier. Plan accordingly. 

Kom se Pad takes you down a narrow, dusty and very bumpy gravel forestry road. Ideally this route should be done as a circular day trip, rather than a “short cut” between Gouna and Diepwalle. From the Diepwalle side, the tree canopy creates a green tunnel through which you pass. Slowly but surely it takes you, unsuspectingly, to the top of the mountain. At the top, trees make way for fynbos and blue mountain ridges line the horizon. The views over Gouna and Rheenendal are magnificent. As you descend into the forest line again, it’s only a short while before you reach the picnic area of Terblans Walk. From here, you can continue to Gouna, to connect with the Old Cape Road and the N2 at Knysna. 

We still needed to make our way to Uniondale via Prince Alfred Pass, so we turned around at the picnic site and headed back.  

Following Prince Alfred Pass

Prince Alfred Pass is one of the longest and oldest passes in South Africa. True to a Thomas Bain-built pass, this road takes you from one breathtaking corner to the next. You cross mountain ridges, travel through ever-changing landscapes and, finally, enter the rockier, ochre-coloured Little Karoo. 

The road conditions on the pass are fair to pretty decent on Knysna’s side before the turnoff to Keurboomstrand and Plettenberg Bay. When we travelled along this route (January 2025), it seemed like it had been graded fairly recently, with some corrugated spots and a few shallow potholes. Even though the road surface may seem better than most gravel passes at first, keep in mind that there are many almost-blind turns with a narrow shoulder edging steep gorges. Always be aware of oncoming traffic – especially during the school holidays when this road becomes popular with everyone on two and four wheels. We even came across someone towing a boat down the pass! When the waters of Knysna call, you answer, no matter what. 

More or less halfway to the Plettenberg Bay turnoff, you’ll pass a very steep jeep-track to the Spitzkop View Point. To the right, you’ll find a wonderful, grass-covered picnic spot, aptly named “Dal van Varings” (Valley of Ferns). Both are perfect spots for a late morning coffee break, depending on your choice of view. 

For a quick, interesting stop, make sure to “call the elephants” at Strijdom van der Merwe’s installation, “Calling the Herd”, at the R340 turnoff to Plettenberg Bay. This trumpet-like iron tree sculpture stands tall as a beacon between man and nature. 

Lunch stop in De Vlugt

Past the turnoff, the road gets increasingly narrower, bumpier and more corrugated, with some sections prone to washouts during rainstorms. More blind corners are at the order of the day. However, as you slow down, you can really enjoy the views along the valleys to either side, since you are now truly within the mountain range. 

The stretch to De Vlugt leads high above the Keurbooms River valley, snaking along the edge of the mountain. Some sections are quite narrow and traffic from both sides need to be patient and careful, as there is barely a shoulder for passing. However, where there’s a will, there’s a way, even if it’s a very, very slow scenic drive in a Polo GTI. (Perhaps an Avis 4×4 next time?)

Descending into De Vlugt makes you wonder how this small settlement makes a living. Yet, as you slowly cruise your way along the bumpy gravel, you quickly realise this is the sweet spot for a lunch stop on the pass. Most of the eateries and guest houses had cars parked out front. We had delicious venison pies and carrot cake for lunch at the Koekerasiestasie, or otherwise known as Die Plaaskind Padstal – a quaint farm stall with all kinds of trinkets and light meals. 

On track to Avontuur

Exiting De Vlugt for the last trek towards Avontuur and the R62, you’ll quickly find yourself in a gorge with scenery very similar to the Seweweekspoort. Large rock formations tower above you as you criss-cross Voogt’s River via age-old bridges. As you climb out of the valley, the tall trees make way for fynbos and shrubs. This last stretch has the worst road conditions of the pass, with many hairpin bends covered in loose gravel and sharper rocks. 

But, before you know it, the road makes one last blind turn before the small settlement of Avontuur is stretched out before you. Here is not much more than a co-op, a small filling station and a convenience store. As you cross the R62, to make your way to Uniondale, one last enjoyable drive awaits: the Uniondale Poort. This poort might be a tarred road, but it’s a last, swaying lekkerte before you hit “civilisation” again.

Good to know

• Book a camping deck via the SANParks website, under the Garden Route National Park, Knysna Lakes Section. You have the option to take your own tent or book a deck with a tent. There is electricity available at the sites. 
• Your camping permit at Diepwalle also gives you access to Kom se Pad. 
• Cell phone signal is limited throughout the forest and on Prince Alfred Pass. 

Want to discover the most picturesque roads along the southern parts of the Western Cape? Our Cape to Addo touring maps indicate minor gravel roads and highlight scenic routes and mountain passes. Like all Tracks4Africa maps, these durable paper maps show distance and travel time on roads – perfect for trip planning.