Chapman’s Peak name after John Chapman a ships pilot who rowed ashore in 1607 to look for provisions.

One of the most beautiful maritime drives anywhere is along Chapman’s Peak Drive, which stretches from Noordhoek to Hout Bay on the Atlantic Seaboard in south-western South Africa.

Chapman’s Peak Drive, or “Chappies” as the locals call it, offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the surrounding mountains and is a must-see for everyone visiting Cape Town. The road’s winding, curved path is a photographer’s dream. There isn’t a month that goes by where we don’t host a foreign film team or TV ad.

It’s not surprise that both residents and visitors keep coming back for more. It’s a fantastic place to go driving, sightseeing, picnicking, running, hiking, or biking 

The 114-turn, 9-kilometer path circles Chapman’s Peak and clings to the cliffs of the shore, opening up breathtaking panoramas in every direction. South of Constantiaberg, Chapman’s Peak reaches 593 metres and is a fantastic hike for the active traveller.

Sir Frederic de Waal, the province’s first administrator, conceived up Chapman’s Peak Drive. (He’s even got his own street named after him in Cape Town—De Waal Drive.) In 1922, the road officially opened to the public.

The natural asset and resource that is Chapman’s Peak Drive  is of critical economic importance to local businesses, residents, and visitors. This beautiful route to Cape Town now requires payment.

With a history dating back to the early 1900s, Chapman’s Peak Drive is undeniably one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions. The nearly sheer cliff sides on the western side of the Cape Peninsula provide breathtaking views from the road, which contributes to the area’s attractiveness.

In 2003, the 10-kilometer-long pass between Hout Bay and Noordhoek became a toll route to offset the considerable costs associated with keeping the route to a safe standard. During its length, you’ll see some outstanding examples of modern engineering, such as huge steel catch netting and two 2 semi-tunnels, as well as navigate upwards of 80 turns, corners, & curves. Concrete has been used to strengthen numerous portions of precarious rock face.

In order to really enjoy the grandeur and history of this pass, which dates back to 1910, a leisurely pace is required. An unpleasant and perilous rock face must have made the construction of a road seem like an insurmountable endeavour, but the first road builders prevailed.