South African Break Aways

CHAPMAN’S PEAK DRIVE, Cape Town

100 Years of Wonder

It is described as “one of the world’s most scenic drives” … beautiful Chapman’s Peak Drive between Hout Bay and Noordhoek close to Cape Town.

Where did the name came from?

Chapman’s Peak Drive (also known as Chappies) was named after John Chapman, the first mate of an English ship (the Consent), which rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1607. When the ship was anchored, the captain sent John Chapman to shore in search of provisions. Upon his successful return, the skipper named the bay Chapman’s Chaunce. However, this bay later become known as Hout Bay.

Hout Bay beach:

But, before we get to Chapman’s Peak Drive, let’s take a walk on the beach of Hout Bay – from where one can see the majestic Chapman’s Peak Drive.

The harbour at Hout Bay

While walking on the beach at Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak Drive can clearly be seen running along the western side of the Cape Peninsula.

Hout Bay beach with Chapman’s Peak Drive in the background
The protected bay is almost always calm and offers safe swimming and a range of water sports
Hout Bay beach is well-known for its powdery white sand and stretches for almost a kilometer in length

Chapman’s Peak Drive:

Hundreds of years after John Chapman saw Chapman’s Peak for the first time, work began in 1915 to cut a road along a series of ridges to connect Hout Bay and Noordhoek. It was officially opened on the 6th of May 1922 and then called Chapman’s Peak Drive.

A view towards Hout Bay from Chapman’s Peak Drive
The Atlantic Ocean as seen from a viewpoint at Chapman’s Peak Drive
Stunning views over Hout Bay area

Chapman’s Peak Drive is 9km (5.6 miles) and has 114 curves. On the one side you have a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and on the other the Western Mountains of the Cape Peninsula.

The start of Chapman’s Peak Drive from the town of Hout Bay
The bay of Hout Bay
The beach of Hout Bay as seen from Chapman’s Peak Drive
Breathtaking views from Chapman’s Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak Drive is a toll road (for travelling between the towns of Hout Bay and Noordhoek), however part of the drive is for free. It is valid for the use of the designated picnic areas, viewing spots and mountain trails (before the Day Pass Control Point).

The first scenes after paying a fee at the Control Point
The beginning of many short curves

In 1962 the road was widened and in 1977 a portion of the road was washed away resulting in a bridge to replace the damaged section.

However, between 1998 and 2000, four deaths and several serious injuries occurred from rock fall incidents. The road was then closed to the public in order for suitable rock fall protection measures to be implemented.

Half tunneling, rock shelters and catch fences were brought into place to protect motorists from falling rocks. In 2003, Chapman’s Peak was re-opened to the public and heralded as a great success, enabling tourists and locals to once again experience the beauty of this drive.

Driving safely under one of the rock shelters
Underneath one of the rock shelters
Getting closer to the half tunnel
The half tunnel is 155m long and supported by 95t rock anchors
The catch fences can be seen on the left

Chapman’s Peak is certainly one of the most picturesque drives we have ever experienced. Should you visit Cape Town, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this scenic drive!

Happy 100th Birthday Chappies (Photo credit: Stock photo’s)
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wetanddustyroads

56 thoughts on “CHAPMAN’S PEAK DRIVE, Cape Town”

  2. Corna, jy sal nou nie glo hoe tydig hierdie post van jou was nie. Ons het 3 nagte in Desember hierdie jaar om in Kaapstad te spandeer terwyl ons met n lekker Kaapse draai na Marilize se ouers in Jeffreysbaai reis, en ons het net hierdie afgelope naweek besluit om een dag opsy te sit vir Chapman’s Peak en Houtbaai (van waar ons ook n boottoer na Duiker Eiland gaan doen). Na hierdie blogpost van jou water my mond behoorlik!

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    1. Dit klink mos nou na ‘n heerlike vooruitsig! Ek se altyd, ‘n besoek aan die Kaap is nie volledig as jy nie ten minste net die eerste gedeelte van Chapman’s Peak gery het nie (waar jy nie hoef te betaal nie) en ‘n broodjie eet terwyl jy die ongelooflike uitsig geniet! Julle neem dit sommer nog ‘n ekstra lekkerte verder met die boottoer! Ek sien (nou al) uit na julle mooi foto’s!

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    1. Baie dankie Toortsie, soos ek altyd se, dis nie moeilik om mooi foto’s van ‘n pragtige omgewing te neem nie 😉. Ek was verbaas om te lees dat Chapman’s Peak 100 jaar oud is – die pad lyk so goed … maar dan onthou mens die 3 jaar lange opgradering. Hulle het die rylaan so mooi gemaak, dis ‘n plesier om daarlangs te ry!

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    1. Yes Henrietta, this is such an awesome drive to do on a sunny day – the views are just so beautiful! I hope you don’t have to wait (too) long for the next visit … thank you for reading and your lovely comments 💌.

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  6. Wow, what a truly fascinating place to go for a drive, it can easily be featured as one of the world’s most scenic drives! I love those steep cliff faces and stunning views over the vast waters! Thanks for sharing and have a lovely day 🙂 Aiva xx

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    1. Thank you Aiva … yes, it is a really wonderful drive along the coast – the views are amazing (especially on a sunny day)! It surely must be under the top 10 scenic drives in the world (but maybe I’m just biased 😊). Have a great week.

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  7. Both Chapman’s Peak Drive and Hout Bay look divine Corna, more places to add to my Cape Town wish list! Thank you for introducing me to these lovely beauty spots. Hope you are enjoying pleasant autumnal weather. I’ve now brought out my summer dresses and finally put my duvet coat away here!

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    1. You must certainly add these places to your Cape Town wish list Marion … no visit to Cape Town will be complete without a visit to Chapman’s Peak Drive! The problem … there are many more beautiful places around Cape Town, you will need a LONG holiday 😉. Hooray for summer dresses! We have indeed great autumn weather – the afternoons tend to get a little bit chilly, but at least the sky is blue and the sun is shining!

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    1. Ah, baie dankie Una 😊. Die mooie Kaap is naby aan ons harte – daar gebly vir 20 jaar en nog steeds is daar baie wat ons nog nie gesien het nie (en ander plekke wat ons weer en weer wil besoek).

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  11. Jou foto’s is pragtig Corna! Ons geniet dit altyd om daar te gaan ry, maar het nog nooit al die draaie getel nie! 😅🤣 Ons stop elke keer by die uitkyk plekke en word net nooit moeg vir die pragtige uitsig nie! Die strand is ook nie altyd waar ons kom nie, my man het ‘n baie sensetiewe vel en kan nie lank in die son wees nie. Dis sowaar alweer tyd dat ons weer daar moet gaan ry!

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    1. Baie dankie Aletta! Ons het ook nog nooit die draaie getel nie (maar Google vertel graag wat ons nie weet nie 😉). En ons stap net op Houtbaai se strand as daar nie te veel mense is nie – met ander woorde, nie in die somer nie! Ja, Chapman’s Peak is ‘n plek waar mens weer en weer kan gaan ry sonder om ooit moeg te word vir die asemrowende uitsigte, ne!

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  12. I can see why the drive is so highly rated, so dramatic at every turn it seems. Sadly I don’t do too well with short curves on the road, but if ever such a drive was worth it. I don’t have an adjective that hasn’t already been used to describe the beaches, just… (insert unique adjective here). Love the ups and downs of the peaks that frame Hout Bay.

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    1. Just make sure you sit in the front passenger seat when you start this drive … or even better, that you’re the one driving! The views are so amazing that you will (hopefully) soon forget about the many curves in the road ☺️. Yes, our South African beaches are absolutely beautiful (I’m also sometimes running out of words to describe its loveliness) – that’s the place you want to be … even on a (sunny) winter’s day!
      Thanks for taking the time to read about our latest trips, enjoy the rest of your week and take care.

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      1. It’s a beautiful drive with lots of hairpin turns; but well worth the effort. I hope you’re having a great week too. Our close friends from the US are arriving today; we’re looking forward to spending time with them!

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  14. Many, many years ago I took my mother to South Africa and I remember taking a tour that went to Hout Bay. It was a beautiful day such as the one you had and it was just lovely. Thank you for a wonderful memory!

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    1. I’m sure that Hout Bay (well, the beach at least) and Chapman’s Peak Drive still looks the same as what you’ve experienced it many years ago Carolyn ☺️. And you’re absolutely right, when it’s a lovely sunny day (which it is most of the time), it’s amazing to explore this area! I’m glad you enjoyed this post and that it brought back great memories!

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    1. Thank you so much … I’m so happy you enjoyed this post 🌸. Chapman’s Peak Drive (and basically Cape Town surroundings) are beautiful and well worth a visit. From the sea to the mountains and from great coffee shops to wine farms – you’ve got everything here in very close proximity!

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      1. You got me at “great coffee shops” ☺️☺️☺️ I have noticed recently, that however much I love a neighborhood, or a town, or a city that I’m visiting, if I don’t find a nice coffee shop to sit in and to take everything in, I just feel like something is missing.

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    1. Absolutely Linda, this is one the most scenic and iconic drives one can do in the Cape Town area. Now that I’m thinking about the traffic … we never had problems with long queues of cars on Chapman’s Peak Drive – if you want to stop and admire the views, there are parking space at the viewpoints to stop and let traffic pass.

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    1. Thank you Maggie. We love this drive – especially on a sunny weekend! Hout Bay is certainly a lovely place to visit – especially while enjoying fish and chips on the beach!

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    1. We have seen some pictures of the Amalfi Coast before and I remember we then said, if we have to compare it with something we know, it must be our own Chapman’s Peak Drive 😊. But it would be great to experience the Amalfi Coast ourselves …

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