Sir Lowry's Pass was settled as a resting place for travelers before commencing ascent of the
The Gantouw was replaced by the opening of Sir Lowry's Pass on 6 July 1830. Sir Lowry Cole traveled up the newly constructed Pass in a
Today, Sir Lowry's Pass allows easy passage across this daunting natural barrier. The beauty of this pass, often shrouded in mist and rain, more than makes up for the unsynchronized traffic lights that grace the N2's tardy passage through Somerset West and around Gordon's Bay.
Sir Lowry's Pass is a lot more than a route across a formidable mountain range. It is also a haunt for bird watchers and nature lovers and the car park, on the western side of the N2 as one approaches the top of the pass, and provides a perfect stop to explore the area.
The mountain fynbos is fairly accessible here and one can take three to four hours to explore the mountain side and the lower areas where streams become densely vegetated and provide perfect cover for birds. The town side of Sir Lowry's Pass has some truly awesome views over False Bay, whilst over the other side of the mountain one enters a beautiful valley that is home to forests, orchards, fruit, flowers and vineyards - the
