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Karatara Pass
Located in
South Africa :: Western Cape (Garden Route)
Category:
Scenic Routes :: Mountain Pass
Karatara Pass is found on the 'seven Passes Road' immediately after the Forestry Village of the same name. Like all gravel road passes in rainy regions, the usual cautionary of 'slippery when wet' applies. This roads is usually corrugated, which can cause loss of traction and control, particularly on corners with non 4x4 vehicles. (Source: Mountain Passes South Africa).
“The Karatara Pass built by the famous roads engineer, Thomas Bain and his brother-in-law Adam de Smidt, forms part of the “Seven Passes “ road between George and Knysna on the Southern Cape Coast of South Africa. Construction of the road began from George in 1868 but it was not until 1883 that the entire route was completed. The discovery of gold at Millwood in the late 1870’s influenced the direction of the road as it was swung more inland to accommodate the gold fields, instead of following the original track. Karatara lies just north of Sedgefield and approximately 30km west of Knysna. It lies on the plateau and is surrounded by farmland and indigenous forests. The Passes Road, still in use today, was the main road between George and Knysna for almost 70 years, until the National Road (N2) was completed in 1951. (SA Place Names)” - Chris Smit, 2024/11/14
“Karatara Pass – "Karatara" a Khoi name meaning ‘deep and dark’” - Chris Smit, 2012/06/02
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