Sometime ago, in 2001, Peter and Cathy began excavations for their dream house at the top of Grotto Way, Hout Bay. It was hard work and Skoorsteenkop seemed reluctant to give up the immense boulders that had been strewn across its slopes for thousands of years. They planted their first vines in September of 2003 with the aim to produce their favourite beverage, bubbly!

It’s the year 1607 and the English Ship Consent has arrived in the bay, today known as Hout Bay, the skipper sends his pilot John Chapman ashore in search of provisions. This pilot records the bay as Chapmans Chaunce (chance) where the name stuck and was used on East India charts. Chapman’s Peak was thus named after John Chapman and is not named after any Governor of the Cape.

Fast forward to the early 1900’s and the first administrator of the Cape Sir Nicolas Fredrick de Waal wanted a road built linking Hout Bay to Noordhoek. Using convict labour to start the work on building the road along the spectacular route on the sheer cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. Taking seven years to complete at a cost of ₤20 000, The Hout Bay – Noordhoek road was opened on 6 May 1922, by the Governor of the Union of South Africa, His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught.


[Image via Hilton Temper]

Over the years with erosion and Mother Nature taking its course there were rock falls that caused injuries and deaths. The road management and upgrade took place with lots more modern technology and engineering, winning numerous awards and the road re-opened in 2003.

Many have come to adore and love Chapman’s Peak Drive over the years and we have seen the love shared among those that have had proposals, spend time together and celebrate their love. So in February we say come spend some quality time and explore and enjoy and spread the love on Chapman’s Peak Drive. The perfect place for those who wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day and join in the celebration of our 100 years too.

For those active and adventure seeking couples, hiking, trail running and exploring nature, in the mountains above us or cycling the route is perfect for you. The more romantic ones we think the picnic spots at sunset are really great and just a drive through from either side to enjoy a romantic meal at the many varied restaurants in both Noordhoek and Hout Bay makes great locations.


[Image via Facebook by Clint Lawrence]

Continue to share the love by celebrating with us as we have started a 100-day countdown from 26 January to 6 May 2022 to celebrate Chapman’s Peak Drives 100 years Centenary and stand a chance to win some great prizes. More info including a section on a more detailed history page can be found through our site at www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za/100years

Exploring via Chapman’s Peak Drive whether for the Cape Floral Kingdom, fitness, fresh air, history or more you will surely want to discover more and more and if you use Chapmans Peak Drive frequently there are benefits by signing up to be a frequent user.

All users of Chapman's Peak Drive are encouraged to follow all COVID19 protocols when using the toll plaza services and when out at the picnic and viewing points. Enjoy the fresh air and open spaces responsibly and please ensure no litter or graffiti is left behind.

“HIGH UP IN THE KARBONKELBERG MOUNTAINS, WE STILL WALK THE PATHS OF OUR FOREFATHERS.”

Karbonkelberg Tourism is a community initiative that trains guides, encourages kids to enjoy nature, and offers guided hiking tours in the area.

The village and harbour provide the perfect base from which to explore Table Mountain’s Karbonkelberg, Constantiaberg and Chapman’s Peak. With attractions such as Chapman’s Peak Drive, Mariner’s Wharf and World of Birds, Hout Bay will tick off several of your ‘bucket list’ places to visit.

Visitors can experience the diversity and complexity of South Africa by participating in the area’s unique cultural experiences.

Our working relationships span across sectors, from engineering to operations and conservation to name a few, the latter is mainly in alignment with SANParks, as Chapman’s Peak Drive runs through Table Mountain National Park and so conserving our natural heritage is of importance, thereby contributing the wellbeing of our environment.

The ravaging mountain fires of 2015 left deep scars and heavily impacted the environment; damaging acres of vegetation and fynbos. Driving through Chapmans Peak scenic route today, six years later, brings much relief when the beautiful and lustrous greens are seen along the route.

We have a duty to manage the environment and in conjunction with SANParks have to manage the invasive alien species of vegetation that caused harm on the indigenous flora’s survival as it uses mainly water resources from what studies show.

[Image by I AM CAPE TOWN]

The SANParks Alien Vegetation clearing unit will tackle the slopes of Chapman’s Peak Drive between 10h00 and 16h00 on Wednesdays during November 2021 weather permitting. While the specialized team by SANParks are clearing the alien vegetation above the drive using ropes and technology to chop and clear the slopes, the drive below will encounter falling debris, making it dangerous for passage. Therefore Chapman's Peak Drive will be closed to all users, motorised and non- motorised traffic including pedestrians/runners.

We need to conserve this natural heritage and thank you for your cooperation during these times. Should you need to travel between Hout Bay and Noordhoek during the closure times, the alternative route is via Ou Kaapse weg.

Exploring via Chapman’s Peak Drive whether for the Cape Floral Kingdom, fitness, fresh air, history or more you will surely want to discover more and more and if you use Chapmans Peak Drive frequently there are benefits by signing up to be a frequent user.
[Image by I AM CAPE TOWN]

All users of Chapman's Peak Drive are encouraged to follow all COVID19 protocols when using the toll plaza services and when out at the picnic and viewing points. Enjoy the fresh air and open spaces responsibly and please ensure no litter or graffiti is left behind.

September in South Africa is a whole month of celebrating and honouring; our heritage, the tourism industry and of course spring. If we look at all this we can surely share so much of this with you as an iconic experience and attraction in the once more award winning city of Cape Town.

In 2020 the Mother City was named "Africa’s Leading Festival & Events Destination" & dubbed the "Greatest City in the World". Continuing into 2021 along with us being listed as one of the most scenic drives in the world; the 2021 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards has named Cape Town as the number one city in the Middle East and Africa, read more about it here on Biz Community Tourism.


Heritage celebrations for Chapman’s Peak Drive goes as far back to almost 100 years, with the Centenary looming on us in May next year. When we look at heritage it goes without saying that we have both natural and cultural heritage to celebrate.

Being in the Table Mountain National Park as a division of SANParks we are surrounded by the diverse Cape Floral Kingdom forming part of the UNESCO inscribed Cape Floral Region as a World Heritage site in South Africa, offering one of the world’s greatest centres of terrestrial biodiversity.

We work very closely with SANParks to ensure that visitors respect and help to preserve the natural heritage that we get to enjoy. During October and November SANParks will be having the annual alien vegetation clearing every Wednesday between 09h30 – 15h30.



Cultural heritage on Chapman’s Peak Drive can be taken from the time when the road was built. The kind of knowledge and info about the terrain and being able to carve out the road in a rather complex and geologically rich region is extraordinary. Planning and the need for engineering with rock fall mitigation is explained by Alexis in the video below to ensure the road could possibly be accessible for the next 100 years. For more details about the history of Chapman’s Peak Drive read about it here.

Engineering Planning Alexis Van Der Merwe
African Travel Crew

We also have cultural heritage in the form of the past with the ruins of the East Fort Battery, built in 1782 as part of the fortifications of Hout Bay by the VOC, the Dutch trading company that ruled the Cape Colony at the time. You can read more about this little piece of history found on Chapman’s Peak Drive here.

Exploring via Chapman’s Peak Drive whether for the Cape Floral Kingdom, fitness, fresh air, history or more you will surely want to discover more and more and if you use Chapmans Peak Drive frequently there are benefits by signing up to be a frequent user.

All users of Chapman's Peak Drive are encouraged to follow all COVID19 protocols when using the toll plaza services and when out at the picnic and viewing points. Enjoy the fresh air and open spaces responsibly and please ensure no litter or graffiti is left behind.

We all enjoy being out and experiencing Chapman's Peak Drive (Chappies); having received the accolade of "one of the most scenic drives in the world" for numerous years and recently also ranked as the world’s 5th most beautiful road trip route as shared on IOL. What is even more exciting is that in a year's time we celebrate Chapman's Peak Drives Centenary, as of today 6 May 2021 we start the countdown and look forward to the celebrations next year on 6 May 2022.

Chapmans Peak Drive is a narrow winding road with spectacular views and for safety reasons, we therefore ask all to adhere to the rules and regulations of the road as per the Provincial and National legislation of South Africa.

We ask of all cyclists to please adhere to, The National Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and the National Road Traffic Regulations 2000 promulgated on 17 March 2000 in Gov Gazette 20963 (as amended from time to time)  includes the following bicycle-specific laws

• You must be seated on your saddle
• You must ride in single file
• You may not deliberately swerve from side to side
• If you are riding on a public road where there is a bicycle lane, you must use that bicycle lane

The Pedal Power Association (PPA) says, " South African roads are public spaces, and we as cyclists have the right to ride our bicycles on them. However, riding your bicycle on public roads is a big responsibility, and it is very important that you are aware of (and always obey) the rules of the road, and handle your bicycle in a safe and responsible manner."  More info about safe cycling tips can be found on their website here.

For our motorists please note that the speed limit on Chapman's Peak Drive is 40km/hour and we ask you to stay wider of the rider, as cyclist also have the right to be on the road.

Duties of driver of motor vehicles when passing cyclists, as per the Western Cape Provincial Road Traffic Administration Act, 2012 ( Act 6 of 2012), you can find further and full details here.

• (1) The driver of a motor vehicle who passes a cyclist on a public road must—
  (a) exercise due care while passing the cyclist;
  (b) leave a distance between the motor vehicle and the cyclist of at least one metre; and
  (c) maintain that distance from the cyclist until safely clear of the cyclist.
• (2) Despite any solid barrier line or other road traffic sign prohibiting encroachment upon the right-hand side of the road, the driver of a motor vehicle on a public road may, where the roadway is not wide enough to comply with sub regulation (1)(b) or (c) when passing a cyclist, encroach on that part of the road to his or her right, but only if—
  (a) it can be done without obstructing or endangering other persons or vehicles;
  (b) it is safe to do so; and
  (c) it can be done and is done for a period and distance not longer than is necessary to pass the cyclist

Whether you're running, crossing the road to hiking routes, cycling, or driving let's all respect and care for each other's safety. We all share the road and enjoy it to continue keeping it an icon on the trip for all when visiting Hout Bay and/or Noordhoek on the Cape Peninsula in "the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the globe" ~ Sir Francis Drake (1589).

Do you use Chapmans Peak Drive frequently - numerous times a week? - please find more details about the benefits of being a frequent user here.

Please be reminded that the safety of all users on Chapman's Peak Drive is important to us, as winter approaches our information shows that regular road closures can be expected due to the high risk and adverse weather conditions. Please check our site and social media feed regularly for updates, our road signs at either end of the road, whether from Hout Bay or Noordhoek will also have the necessary updates, so look out for these.

All users of Chapman's Peak Drive are encouraged to follow all COVID19 protocols when using the toll plaza services and when out at the picnic and viewing points. Enjoy the fresh air and open spaces responsibly and please ensure no litter or graffiti is left behind.

Chapman's Peak Drive voted one of the most scenic drives in the world is an icon for Hout Bay whether you are here to visit, live, work or play. It is not just a drive to experience but a way to explore and Discover Hout Bay and Noordhoek too, creating and providing a perfect economic link and hub for two suburbs. Whether it is via car, bike, motorcycle and even an e-bike, or if you're walking or hiking, watching it from other spots in Hout Bay or just seeing it rise up from the waters on one of the various ocean activities in the bay it is an experience not to be missed.

The scenes from various viewing points are so spectacular that no matter who you are you will be mesmerised.  We have seen so many beautiful images and videos via social media and other online platforms that it even excites us too, although we get to work here. The latest video we featured in by African Travel Crew, shares a beautiful story about our people of Hout Bay and can be viewed on their YouTube channel here.

With all of this we hope you feel inspired to come and explore and experience Chapman's Peak Drive as part of your Easter Celebrations. We look forward to seeing you share about it on social media and be sure to include you enjoying an Easter egg or bunny with you in your pics and videos.

Frequent users might use it to shorten their travel route, or we think it's actually to enjoy the beauty of it all and more details about how this works and the benefits of being a frequent user can be found here.

We regard the safety of  all users on Chapman's Peak Drive and with the winter months ahead our information shows that we can expect regular road closures over this period due to the high risk and adverse weather conditions. For updates and info please check our site and social media feed regularly, our road signs at either end of the road, whether from Hout Bay or Noordhoek will also have the necessary updates, so look out for these.

All users of Chapman's Peak Drive are encouraged to follow all COVID19 protocols when using the toll plaza services and when out at the picnic and viewing points. Enjoy the fresh air and open spaces responsibly and please ensure no litter or graffiti is left behind.

Happy New Year! It’s January and, after what we hope was a wonderful summer holiday, it’s time to start thinking about going back to work - the challenges, the new ideas.. the traffic! If you live in the Deep South, like Noordhoek, Sun Valley or Kommetjie, using Chappies as your daily commute into Hout Bay and onto town, will save you time sitting in the traffic on the M3. Add to that the daily dose of beautiful Chappies views that are food for the soul, especially after a long day at the office.

Chapman’s Peak Drive offers users who have signed up for a Frequent User Card a discounted rate at the toll gate, which kicks in after your second trip in a month. If you use Chappies as your daily commute, to and from work, with a Frequent User Card it will cost you only R812,50 per month (working on an average of 20 working days), a saving of R1267,50.

Even if you don’t use Chappies every day, it’s worth signing up for a Frequent User Card if you’re using the road more than twice a month. Here is a breakdown on how the discounts work for a normal vehicle that costs R52 per trip.

• Trips 1 and 2 are at the usual cost of R52 per trip
• Trips 3 and 4 will cost R42 per trip
• Trips 5 and 6 will cost R32 per trip
• Trips 7 to 10 will cost R22 per trip
• Trips 11 to 25 will cost R11 per trip
• Trips after that will cost R20,50 per trip

Motorcycles with frequent user cards are charged only R34 per trip for all journeys. 

Mark Jacobs, General Manager of Chapmans Peak Drive, says, “Chapmans Peak drive offers people commuting from the South into town a good option to beat the daily slog in the traffic. We have many cars signed up that are using the drive every day, to and from work. It’s a relaxing alternative to bumper-to-bumper traffic.”

To sign up for your Frequent User Card, which can also be linked to your credit card, stop in at the Entilini office at the tollgate and fill out the registration form. You can also download the Frequent User Card Registration form from the website, fill it out at home and hand it in at the Chappies office.

Please be sure to wear a mask when you visit our offices. The COVID-19 epidemic is not over yet and we must act responsibly and stay safe. If you see any conspicuous unruly behaviour, please report it to our control room on 021-791 8220.

We look forward to welcoming all our commuters and other road users back in 2021.

Love

Chappies