Haunted Montagu Pass, South Africa
Montagu Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 735m above the sea level, situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa, on the Regional road between Herold and George.
The surface of the road is gravel and sand. This was the first road between George and Oudtshoorn. The MontaguPass was opened in 1847, having taken 3 years to build by some 250 convicts at a cost of 35,000 Pounds Sterling. It lays claim to being the oldest, unaltered pass still in use in South Africa. Henry Fancourt White, an experienced road engineer from Australia, was in charge of the work.
The pass was named after John Montagu, Colonial Secretary of the Cape in the 1840’s,. Portions of the road may be temporarily closed due to road work or inclement weather. Heavy or prolonged rain can cause local flash floods that cover the road with water or wash out culverts or bridges. This pass was damaged by the floods of November 1996, and was closed for most of 1997. It has been repaired and is now open.
The main risk on this curvy and narrow mountainous road which rarely permits speeds over 30km/h is coming around a blind corner and discover a vehicle proceeding toward you. The road covers 7,4 kms of magnificently scenic narrow, gravel road driving, ascending to the tiny hamlet of Heroldt, on the northern side of the Outeniqua Mountains. Big rocks sometimes get dislodged (especially in wet weather) and go tumbling into the ravine.
The narrowest part of the pass with overhanging cliffs was called Die Noute.
Going up the pass notices a huge rock, just a little off the road. This is called Moertjieklip.
Next is Boshoff se Draai. One Mr Boshoff of many years gone by always bragged of what an adept “touleier” he was. Leading a span of oxen was of course quite an art, and needed accurate timing and deft manipulation to manoeuvre a team and the wagon around a bend. The old story continues that one day Boshoff miscalculated and ended on the horns of the lead ox and was tossed over the wall.
To the left after this are the ruins of the old smithy.
At the time when most of the little buildings were still standing, the Museum Society recommended that it be declared a National Monument, which was done, but before restoration could be started, thieves carted away most of the stones. Today only the ruins of the old smithy are left. The Old Smithy is where the implements used in the building of the pass were sharpened and repaired. Convicts working on the pass were also stationed here under guard.
After this is Regoptrek, found after Haarkantdraai. Regoptrek is the steepest part of the pass, and is adjacent to Grog Draai. As the name implies, this is where the traveller allowed himself a little sustenance after completing the toughest part of the journey.
There is Hotkantdraai, and Witkop se Draai with its view of the white koppie. The name alludes to the colour of the soil. At the point where the road passes underneath the railway bridge, you have Stinkhoutdraai. Stinkwood trees grew here in great numbers.
The Montagu Pass just oozes history and an air of the past. Step out of your vehicle at your leisure and in some spots one can almost hear the ox-wagons trundling along, while looking across the gorge, the modern Outeniqua Pass is in contrast to the sense of history one experiences on this rustic pass…
Montagu Pass is haunted by the ghost of a convict who was brutally murdered by a fellow laborer during construction. He is said to appear at midnight and is reputed to break into a fury if a traveller is passing the spot at the same time..
Also, at Moertjiesklip a chain gang was crushed by a rock fall, their spirits allegedly showing themselves on the anniversary thereof..
