Chapman's Peak Drive

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a spectacularly picturesque drive through the Cape Peninsula, at times following Chapman’s Peak Drive, a twisting roadway that skirts the rocky coastline below its namesake mountain. The views will be extraordinary before you even leave the city limits of Cape Town, which sprawls along the base of imposing Table Mountain. Continuing on along the Atlantic Seaboard, you will pass beautiful Hout Bay while pausing on occasion at lookouts such as the ones above Maiden’s Cove and the laid-back seaside town Noordhoek. Despite the natural beauty in every direction, the star attraction is Chapman’s Peak Drive, which is affectionately known as “Chappies.” It opened in 1922 and for the last 100 years or so has presented travelers with breathtaking views of the ocean and South Africa’s mountainous southwestern coastline. The hairpin turns and steep rises and falls make the drive even more exhilarating.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the extraordinary coastal views while traveling along Chapman’s Peak Drive.
• Pause for photos at scenic viewpoints that overlook gorgeous bays and seaside towns.
• Learn fascinating facts about the road’s history and cutting-edge engineering.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.