Tierberg Pass

About Tierberg Pass

The Tierberg Pass that ventures off the Koebee Pass near Vanrhynsdorp in the Northern Cape might be short and sweet, but it is also steep and difficult. It takes the form of a single hairpin sweep up to a rooibos farm at the top, by the name of Tierberg Farm. You could describe the pass as a service road, but for bikers and 4x4 enthusiasts it presents a challenge that few would pass up. And the road has been made accessible for that very reason.

Did you know? It is not a good idea, however, to even attempt Tierberg pass in an ordinary sedan. A 4x4 with a low range is a necessity.

The gravel Koebee Pass (the pass before the pass, so to speak) is regarded in its own right as pretty spectacular, and most of it needs to be driven in either first or second gear. Although, interestingly, you can manage this one in a high-clearance vehicle, there is not a need for a 4x4.

At its summit are a couple of signs, one of which reads Tierberg. Driving Tierberg involves opening, and closing, a farm gate (as tourists, however, we're on a short leash; forget to close the gate and the farm may forego permission to drive the pass).

The first section of Tierberg gives lie to just how steep it really is. An initial steep climb soon levels off and gives one pause for thought as the rest of the climb appears ahead of one. At this point you can still turn around if you think it is too steep for you! You will need good driving skills.

As one ascends, the small peak after which the pass is named appears high above one to the left. The hairpin bend follows with a sharp climb and curl almost simultaneously. Even with the concrete it is bumpy and takes complete concentration to manage. You will need to be in low gear.

It does not end there either for the rest of the climb seems as steep, even with several concrete sections. But the views out over the Koebee valley, and the distant Knersvlakte, are worth the effort.

A road leads from the summit to the farm and if you follow this for a couple of kilometres there is an area that lends itself to turning around. You descend the way you came up, which means that you will need to use low gear and drive down with extreme caution.