A unique journey with some history
The Prince Alfred’s Pass on the R339 gravel road between Knysna and Uniondale is probably Thomas Bain’s most remarkable work. It is the second oldest unaltered pass still in use and is the longest (publicly accessible) mountain pass in South Africa at approximately 68.5km. This exceptionally long pass presented almost every possible technical obstacle to the pass-builders.
The pass is Thomas Bain’s Opus Magnum – a work of monumental proportions carried out with rudimentary equipment and convict labour. Nevertheless, science, ingenuity, and Bain’s “can do” attitude made this engineering marvel possible. During his lifetime, Bain constructed 29 passes, mainly in the Cape colony. This pass exemplifies all of his unique touches, but especially his exceptional drywalling method of construction.
One can access the
