Endoumeni Pass

About Endoumeni Pass

This tarred pass winds off the R68 from Dundee, heading south west to Wasbank. The pass itself begins its gentle undulation about 9 km from Dundee, the road running roughly parallel with the R602.

To find the Endoumeni Pass head out of Dundee along Victoria Street, off the R68 in the centre of town, in a south westerly direction past the Dundee Airfield, the Orange Grove Dairy and Sneezewood Farm.

Did you know? Endoumeni Pass is named after the 1782 metre high mountain to the east of the pass known as Endumi.

Endoumeni Pass forms part of the historic Battlefields Route, a self-drive or guided route that links the various battle sites and memorials (82 battlefields, museums, old forts and places of remembrance) from various wars – there were at least five wars and two rebellions fought in this part of South Africa.

You can pick up a series of maps and brochures from the tourism association and information offices in Dundee and other towns in the area, but the sage advice from historians and history buffs is to choose an era, war or campaign and visit relevant sites. In this way your Battlefields experience does not dissolve into a haphazard battlefield hop.

Endoumeni Pass is not difficult to drive although it is steep, and high enough that there is often snow on the pass during winter. Consider taking the drive up the pass slowly as its winding road provides one some of the most incredible panoramic views of the area. It is also enjoyable to drive, without any of the hazards of a 4x4 gravel route.

Join the R602 to Elandslaagte, considered the epicentre of the Battlefields Route, near the junction with the N11 between Ladysmith and Newcastle. Here the Boers were defeated by the British in just one of the many battles of 1899. Elandslaagte has no on-site information and is best viewed accompanied by an experienced guide.