Tradouw Pass

ByDavid

Sep 17, 2014 #Anglo-Boer War, #Barrydale, #blockhouse, #Drupkelder, #Khoi, #mountain pass, #Overberg, #Piekniekbos, #R324, #R62, #Route 62, #Suurbraak, #Suurplaat, #Swellendam, #Thomas Bain, #Tradouw Pass

Tradouw Pass

The Tradouw Pass links Barrydale to Suurbraak in the Swellendam area.

The pass is reached by travelling through the tiny mission town of Suurbraak in the south, or from east of Barrydale on Route 62 in the north.

The Pass, built by the indomitable Thomas Bain, was declared open on 27 October 1873.

The unusual word “tradau” means “the way of the women” and is believed to be derived from the Khoi words tra, signifying “women” and dau, denoting “way through”.

In 1974 the Pass was rebuilt, widened in places, hairpin bends removed and completely tarred. 4000 aloes and 2500 indigenous trees and shrubs were planted. In 1980 the Pass was re-opened. Look out for places with names like Drupkelder, Piekniekbos and Suurplaat where you can stop and try to spot the ruins of Anglo-Boer War blockhouses.