Donkey Pass - Platberg - Harrismith

[Brother_P]

So today I took my first offroad trip in the FL2.

Went up Donkey pass near Harrismith. This is one steep pass with some 3:1 gradients Happy to report the FL2 made it up sans low range. HDC was a great help on the way down!

[Sechaba]

Does Freelander have a low range?

[KurtG]

Does Freelander have a low range?

Nope

[Sechaba]

Nope

I wonder why they say on mountain pass you need a low range on this road even though its a tar.

[Brother_P]

I wonder why they say on mountain pass you need a low range on this road even though its a tar.

To be honest one can do without it BUT there were times where having it would have helped with controlling the car as it would have allowed me to move up slowly. At times I found myself moving faster than I would have liked and stopping to assess the situation.

[Brucef87]

Hi, how do you get here?

[Alan Eveleigh]

Hi, how do you get here?

I would presume with the same vehicle you intend to do the trail with 😂😜

[SoTrue]

Hi, how do you get here?

Entry is at Platberg Nature Reserve in Harrismith. Entry fee R25 per vehicle plus R15 per occupant.

Once inside the reserve, follow the signs. Note that sections of the gravel road to the pass entry gate are more challenging than the pass road itself.

Recommended.

[leonlieb]

Good day all!!

Can anyone give some info on the Donkey pass? my BIL want to do it over the weekend, but affraid he might get stuck at the gate?

Mounitainpasses SA says there is a guard at the gate between 08h00 and 18h00. Can anyone comment on this?

Just trying to help out my BIL

Thanks

[OffTheHamsterWheel]

Good day all!!

Can anyone give some info on the Donkey pass? my BIL want to do it over the weekend, but affraid he might get stuck at the gate?

Mounitainpasses SA says there is a guard at the gate between 08h00 and 18h00. Can anyone comment on this?

Just trying to help out my BIL

Thanks

We did it a few years ago. The “guard at the gate” is probably at the entrance to the nature reserve where you have to pay your entry fee. The approach to the pass is a bit rough but the pass itself, although very steep, is concreted and not difficult. Once you get to the top you can drive along a track across the mountain back towards Harrismith where there’s a huge cross with magnificent views over the landscape below. The track goes through a marshy area which was quite soggy after rains but we managed fine.

[TimK]

Or you could enter the Harrismith Mountain Trail Run (30km) and run it all, bottom to top to bottom again!

http://harrismithmarathonclub.co.za/elementor-19-2/

[Chopped]

More and more I am getting convinced that it is worth a few days in Harrismith. For all of my youth it was just a food stop on the way to and from the coast.
Now, between this Pass, some of the game farms and Bezuidenhouts pass, I want to spend a few days.