Opposite Lock
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Ouberg Pass (Sutherland)

Roggeveld escarpment between Sutherland and the Tankwa Karoo

Northern CapeMountain pass
Difficulty2/5

Rougher going — high clearance needed, 4x4 recommended. · OL assessment

Cost1/4
Popularity52/100
How we rank →
Photo: Ralph Malan · CC BY 2.0
Check conditions. Public road, normally open. Snow and ice close it during winter cold fronts — check locally after bad weather.

About this route

Ouberg Pass drops 820 m off the Roggeveld escarpment over 10.4 km of gravel, connecting the Sutherland plateau to the Tankwa Karoo floor, summiting at 1,402 m. It has 44 bends, eight of them hairpins, with gradients as steep as 1:6 and unguarded drop-offs. Widely used as the eastern approach to the Tankwa on the Sutherland-Ceres circuit.

Grade 2Check conditions

The facts

Distance
10.4 km
Duration
Half-day (part of Tankwa-Sutherland loop)
Best season
Autumn and spring; avoid when snow or ice present
Nearest town
Sutherland (40 km)
Accommodation
None/day
Booking
Not required
Guided
No
Operator
Public road (Northern Cape provincial)
Route & booking info ↗

On the ground

Rock obstaclesCorrugationsNo cell signalStock-4x4 friendly

Getting there

±305 km from Cape Town · ±1 325 km from Johannesburg · ±1 560 km from Durban

Summit of the pass. The pin marks the start point or booking gate — not the route itself.

Directions to the start ↗

Photos

Photo: Ralph Malan · CC BY 2.0

Photo: Ralph Malan · CC BY 2.0

What your rig needs

Sensible starting kit for this route.

  • Rated recovery points & underbody protection
    OL Premium Bars / Piak
  • Suspension check
    Tough Dog
  • Comms & navigation backup
    4x4 Equip

Your nearest Opposite Lock fitment centre partner will confirm the right spec for your vehicle before you spend a cent.

Route information is a guide, researched July 2026. Conditions, fees and access change — always confirm with the operator before you travel. You travel at your own risk.

Last researched: 2026-07