06 George Knysna Uniondale
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 15-12-2025
Route Summary This route is part of a road trip in South Africa from Cape Town to Pretoria. You'll need at least 16 days to complete this complete road trip.
This is a fun drive from George, passing through some beautiful mountain passes to Uniondale. It's almost 240 kilometers, entirely on paved roads, but you'll be driving 120 kilometers there and back on the N2, a four-lane highway.
Along the route, there are opportunities to stop and enjoy the beautiful views. A visit to Knysna, a top destination in South Africa with much to offer, is also planned. Here, we'll also visit The Motorcycle Room, a museum with over 150 motorcycles.
For those who prefer to drive on unpaved roads with challenging bends, another route has been created that goes largely over unpaved roads. The unpaved road route (06A George Knysna Uniondale Adventure) is also included in the RouteXpert library, the link can be found in this review.
Enjoy this beautiful ride which I rate with 3 stars.
Share this route 
Animation
Verdict
Duration
9h 3m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
248.14 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review This route connects George and Knysna via seven mountain passes: Kaaimansgat Pass, Silver River Pass, Touw River Pass, Hoogekraal Pass, Karatara Pass, Homtini Pass, and the Phantom Pass. Originally designed and built by Thomas Bain with the help of his brother-in-law Adam de Smidt, the route is renowned for its scenic beauty, historical significance, and dense forests.
Thomas Charles John Bain was a South African road builder. A pioneer in road construction, Bain was responsible for the planning and construction of over 900 km of roads and mountain passes, many of which are still in use, during a career spanning from 1848 to 1888. These passes, traversing the mountain ranges between the narrow coastal plain and the interior of the former Cape Colony in South Africa, played a significant role in opening up South Africa's vast hinterland.
The Seven Passes Road begins and ends on asphalt, but most of the route is unpaved. While most motorcycles and cars can handle the entire road, heavy rain can cause disruption to some sections of the route. Therefore, we only drive the first three passes: Kaaimansgat Pass, Silver River Pass, and Touw River Pass.
The Kaaimansgat Pass is the first of the seven passes. This winding, curving asphalt road leads through lush indigenous forest to the area's famous Blackwater rivers. The road is old, narrow, and the asphalt is in poor condition. The pass has an old bridge (a national monument) that's worth stopping for a few photos. Although the pass is relatively short at 2.8 km, it has many sharp bends, and drivers are advised to keep their speed below 40 km/h. The only safe place to stop is on either side of the bridge, where there are two small parking areas.
The next pass is the Silver River Pass, a 2.7-kilometer-long, narrow, winding asphalt road through dense native forests, descending to and from the Silver River, starting where the Kaaimansgat Pass ends and ending at the picturesque Wilderness Heights. The road is a national monument and was constructed around 1882 by Adam de Smidt. The pass is the second official pass from west to east. Many people consider the Kaaimansgat and Silver River Passes as one continuous pass because they flow seamlessly into one another. The pass has similar key features to the Kaaimansgat Pass: it is almost the same length and has an elevation gain of 86 meters. The difference lies in the number of bends in the Silver River Pass. It has 30 bends, which averages out to one bend every 90 meters!
The next pass is the Touw River Pass. The road was constructed around 1883 by Adam de Smidt. This gravel road remains virtually unchanged from its original route, with one exception: the original wooden bridge washed away. It was replaced by a steel bridge in the 1900s. The pass shares similar characteristics with the Kaaimansgat and Silver River Passes. It is 2.5 km long and has an elevation change of 92 m, with the same inverted vertical profile characteristic of a pass that descends through a river gorge and emerges on the other side. Of the seven rivers crossed by the 7 Passes Road, the Touw River is the largest and most prone to flooding.
After the Touw River Pass, we take the Whites Road south, where we turn onto the N2 eastbound for Knysna. The N2 is a two-lane, and at times four-lane, highway that runs along the coast through a beautiful green part of the Cape, so you'll still enjoy beautiful views.
We stop at the Smugglers' House on the N2, a living museum with a fascinating collection of antique tools and machines. It's a great place to eat and have a cup of coffee. The food is fantastic. A wonderful place to relax, stroll around, and take it all in. Absolutely packed with antique tools.
There's plenty of opportunity to spend some time in Knysna sightseeing. Knysna is one of South Africa's top destinations. Families looking to create memories, adventurers can indulge in a variety of outdoor activities, and affordable luxury and exclusive activities await the discerning traveler. Discover the sandy beaches and forest trails, explore the surrounding area and its rich cultural heritage, and experience what makes Knysna one of the Western Cape's must-see destinations.
In Knysna, we'll also visit The Motorcycle Room. With over 150 motorcycles in its collection, this museum offers a truly unique and special experience. Parking is available in the garage; the museum is located on the top floor.
We take the N2 back towards George, stopping along the way at Sedgefield, home to a beautiful beach that backs onto the lagoon (Sedgefield Lagoon Mouth). The estuary is a popular daytime spot for locals for many reasons. It's relatively safe, ideal for fishing, spacious, and a great swimming spot. Thanks to the estuary, you don't have to swim in the waves, but can instead swim in the cooler, calmer water.
Caution is advised in some areas, as currents are frequent, and full-time lifeguards are only on duty during the Christmas holidays. There are numerous rocks to climb and explore along the beach and lagoon, offering stunning views of the beach and the surrounding natural beauty. There's also a place to stop for lunch in Sedgefield.
We drive north through the center of George, and after a few minutes, the adventure begins on the beautiful Outeniqua Pass (Outeniekwa Pass). This modern mountain pass connects the coastal town of George with Oudtshoorn. Built between 1942 and 1951 as a modern alternative to the older, narrow, unpaved, and steep Montagu Pass, the pass offers a much greater capacity for traffic. It has 40 bends, giving you views of the four different passes in the area: Robinson Pass, Swartberg Pass, Meiringspoort, and Montagu Pass. These four passes are also visible from "The 4 Passes" viewpoint. This is a popular spot for tourists to admire the diverse mountain scenery, and we'll stop here to take photos.
After the Outeniqua Pass, we stop at the Roadside Deli Stall, known for its pizzas fresh from the oven. But that's not all there is to offer. Homemade bread and lasagna are sure to delight the taste buds of road trippers and locals alike. Light meals and sandwiches are also available.
We drive along the R62 to Uniondale, the end point of the journey. The final leg of the journey takes us over Potjiesberg Pass, a beautiful mountain pass with stunning views. Uniondale is the gateway to many wonderful tourist attractions and outdoor activities and is a leader in rural development for the formerly disadvantaged KhoiSan people, with many high-quality handmade household goods and furniture, as well as quality gifts. Uniondale is situated in a breathtaking landscape with magical flora and incredible geology. The town boasts beautiful historic buildings, including seven national monuments, numerous restaurants, cafes, an antique shop, and an art gallery.
Links 
Usage Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically. 
Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
South Africa
About this region
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. Its nine provinces are bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 miles) of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini; and it encloses Lesotho. Covering an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres (471,445 square miles), the country has over 62 million people. Pretoria is the administrative capital, while Cape Town, as the seat of Parliament, is the legislative capital. Bloemfontein has traditionally been regarded as the judicial capital. The largest and most populous city is Johannesburg, followed by Cape Town and the busiest port city in sub-Saharan Africa, Durban.
Archaeological findings suggest that various hominid species existed in South Africa about 2.5 million years ago, and modern humans inhabited the region over 100,000 years ago. The first known people were the indigenous Khoisan, and Bantu-speaking peoples who expanded from West and Central Africa later settled in the region 2,000 to 1,000 years ago. In the north, the Kingdom of Mapungubwe formed in the 13th century. In 1652, the Dutch established the first European settlement at Table Bay, and in 1795 and 1806, the British occupied it. The Mfecane, a period of significant upheaval, led to the formation of various African kingdoms, including the Zulu Kingdom. The region was further colonised, and diamonds and gold were discovered, bringing a shift towards industrialisation and urbanisation. The Union of South Africa was created in 1910 out of the former Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies, becoming a republic in 1961. Though a system of non-racial franchise had existed in the Cape, it was gradually eroded, and the vast majority of Black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.
The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation. After a largely non-violent struggle by the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, the repeal of discriminatory laws began in the mid-1980s. Universal elections took place in 1994, following which all racial groups have held political representation in the country's liberal democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces.
South Africa is a multi-ethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions; it is often referred to as the "rainbow nation" to describe the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid. As a middle power in international affairs, South Africa maintains a significant regional influence. In addition to that, the country is a member of BRICS+, the African Union, SADC, SACU, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the G20. A developing, newly industrialised country, South Africa has the largest economy in Africa by nominal GDP. It is tied with Ethiopia for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, and is a biodiversity hotspot with unique biomes, plant, and animal life. Since the end of apartheid, government accountability and quality of life have substantially improved. However, crime, poverty, and inequality remain widespread. Having the highest Gini coefficient of 0.63, South Africa is considered one of the most unequal countries in the world, if not the most unequal.
Read more on Wikipedia
Archaeological findings suggest that various hominid species existed in South Africa about 2.5 million years ago, and modern humans inhabited the region over 100,000 years ago. The first known people were the indigenous Khoisan, and Bantu-speaking peoples who expanded from West and Central Africa later settled in the region 2,000 to 1,000 years ago. In the north, the Kingdom of Mapungubwe formed in the 13th century. In 1652, the Dutch established the first European settlement at Table Bay, and in 1795 and 1806, the British occupied it. The Mfecane, a period of significant upheaval, led to the formation of various African kingdoms, including the Zulu Kingdom. The region was further colonised, and diamonds and gold were discovered, bringing a shift towards industrialisation and urbanisation. The Union of South Africa was created in 1910 out of the former Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies, becoming a republic in 1961. Though a system of non-racial franchise had existed in the Cape, it was gradually eroded, and the vast majority of Black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.
The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation. After a largely non-violent struggle by the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, the repeal of discriminatory laws began in the mid-1980s. Universal elections took place in 1994, following which all racial groups have held political representation in the country's liberal democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces.
South Africa is a multi-ethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions; it is often referred to as the "rainbow nation" to describe the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid. As a middle power in international affairs, South Africa maintains a significant regional influence. In addition to that, the country is a member of BRICS+, the African Union, SADC, SACU, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the G20. A developing, newly industrialised country, South Africa has the largest economy in Africa by nominal GDP. It is tied with Ethiopia for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, and is a biodiversity hotspot with unique biomes, plant, and animal life. Since the end of apartheid, government accountability and quality of life have substantially improved. However, crime, poverty, and inequality remain widespread. Having the highest Gini coefficient of 0.63, South Africa is considered one of the most unequal countries in the world, if not the most unequal.
View region
Statistics 
22Amount of RX reviews (South Africa)
1108Amount of visitors (South Africa)
12Amount of downloads (South Africa)