Bloedrivierpoort Pass

About Bloedrivierpoort Pass

Bloedrivierpoort Pass (Blood River Poort Pass) is a gravel pass that connects to the Battle Bloedrivierpoort Memorial; not to be confused with the Battle of Blood River Memorial, which also lies close to Dundee.

Where the Battle of Blood River (fought on 16 December 1838) Memorial lies north east of Dundee (more east than north) close to where the Blood River joins the Buffeslrivier, the Battle of Bloedrivierpoort (fought in 1901) lies north north east of Dundee, on the Springspruit.

Did you know? Two different memorials, two different battles. But easily confused.

The Battle of Blood River was a battle between Voortrekkers and Zulus as part of continuous conflict, whilst the Battle of Bloedrivierpoort was fought during the Second Anglo-Boer War, also known as the South African War, between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic.

It is worth reading further about these battles as part of the Battlefields Route. One can reach the Bloedrivierpoort Pass from either Vryheid or Dundee. From Dundee head north east on the R33, taking a left turn just after Kingsley onto the R34. At the Brakwater irrigation dam, take a right onto a dirt road.

From Vryheid, head south west to Utrecht on the R34, and turn right onto the gravel road at the Brakwater irrigation dam.

This gravel road takes one to the start of the Bloedrivierpoort Pass after about 15 km. You will pass the AFC Muhl Memorial Dam, on the Gibindlala River, on your left. The memorial to the Battle of Blood River Poort is on the farm Goedgeloof, just after the dam, again on your left. To see the monument, take the gravel approach road 4 km after the dam to your left, and travel 1 km off the road.

Return to the gravel road and to the Bloedrivierpoort Pass. As the road reaches the Blood River the Skurweberg starts to become more obvious, and the narrow Aasvoelkrans opens to your left.

The pass itself is not difficult to drive - you can manage it in a sedan - although you might want to watch your speed, particularly as the drive is beautifully scenic. Only the final few hundred metres of the ascent become steep. From the summit are beautiful views of Spitskoppie.