Chapman's Peak Drive

The construction of Chapman's Peak Drive was first suggested in 1910 by Sir Frederic de Waal, the first administrator of the Cape Province. Work began in 1915 using labor to carve a path through the steep sedimentary rocks of the mountain side. It was a massive engineering undertaking for its time, involving the blasting of cliffs and the creation of a roadbed that hugged the dramatic coastline between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. After seven years of grueling labor, the road was officially opened on May 6, 1922, by the Governor-General, Prince Arthur of Connaught. It immediately became a symbol of engineering triumph and a popular destination for motorists seeking the thrill of the sheer drop-offs and the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. However, the road's proximity to unstable cliffs meant that rockfalls were a constant hazard, leading to several tragic accidents and periodic closures over the decades. In January 2000, a major rockfall led to the indefinite closure of the drive for safety reasons. This prompted a massive three-year reconstruction project that implemented world-class safety features, including catch fences, rock bolting, and unique half-tunnels. Reopening in 2003 as a toll road, the drive now balances its historical charm with modern safety standards, remaining one of the most iconic coastal routes in the world.