Gamkaskloof "Die Hel" - "The Hell"

Solo overlanding Africa. Exploring the African continent.
Visiting Gamkaskloof - Die Hel. An almost inaccessible valley in the Swartberg Mountains of the Western Cape province of South Africa.

[@hintersland7262]

Great content! I did The Hell in 1995 in a Toyota Corolla with no problem at all. It was a company car, though. Company cars have much better offroad mobility than privately owned ones

[@soloafrika]

I guess they do! LoL.😂

[@grumpiebrown]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@grumpiebrown]

Same goes for rental cars, they can go anywhere!! 😂 🚙

[@bernadinesteyn7362]

I did Elandspass in with a Micra after dark once

[@johanneswehrmann]

I stumbled upon this channel a few days ago, and what a breath of fresh air amongst all the hundreds of other overlanding channels out there. This channel offers plain and simple overlanding with stunning visuals and great narrating. Thank you for not advertising your tires or dual battery system or awning sir, and keep on making your special content. 🙌🏻😁🤙🏻

[@soloafrika]

Thank you!

[@christiaanlegrange8851]

Indeed, a well-narrated channel! At last something old with a new spin on things. Both thumbs up and agree good without all the advertising.

[@dougggiereid]

Thanks for sharing. It brought back great memories. I did that pass with my family about 10-12 years ago. I did it in my Mitsubishi Triton which, at the time I bought it, had a best in class turning circle. So I did not have to do any 3 point turns. I really enjoyed the drive and would do it again in a heartbeat. I did not find it daunting at all. But I get you. My wife said when we got to the bottom that she would love to come again... But it would have to be in a helicopter 😂 She was pretty scared.

[@jacquesbarnard2312]

Next time, do it in a Suzuki Jimney, I think it was made for this pass.

[@cornelisvolschenk]

What an amazing memory refresher. I drove that route in 1982 as a 19 year-old in a Toyota Cressida with my dad in the passenger seat giving advice and my kom and aunt in the backseat with compulsary nervous shrieks at every hairpin bend. And yes, it was well worth it!

[@soloafrika]

Like it!

[@colinone100]

Well done in doing what was a trouser filling experience for you, bravo. Beautiful Landcruiser but definitely designed for straight roads, use them at work, love them but dont try funny moves....you will get dings on the corners. Thanks for a great review, always wondered what was down there and why people would live there. Sounds like a good place to escape the in laws 🤣🤣🤣

[@selwynbeck2356]

This is the best video I have ever watched, especially for the running commentary. Liked and subbed. Thank you

[@soloafrika]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@soloafrika]

My sincere apologies for the silent audio during parts of this video. I asked KZbin to remove the copyrighted music. Unfortunately it removed all audio at places. I will re-upload this video with music to which I have the rights. Once again, apologies!

[@user-qb7md2hl5k]

The swartberg pass is magnificent

[@duncanwallace7760]

Well done for overcoming your fears. I went there some years back and I loved it, but I'm only somewhat frightened by heights. What terrifies me more is the driving you see on the N1 and N2. Looks like there's been a big fire through since I visited.

[@chrissylater5863]

Thank you for sharing your experience 🌻

[@soloafrika]

My pleasure!

[@abrespangenberg6809]

Definately 1 of the most amazing videos i hav ever saw. Great job i wish i cud join u on ur journeys

[@soloafrika]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ultimateadventurea1643]

We did this the first time in a front wheel drive 1300 Opel Corsa... Was quite fun on the uphill, loose gravel

[@maureneschlosz6404]

Been there dine that. Really beautiful. Video well done, thanks

[@soloafrika]

Thank you.

[@christiaancoetzee2964]

Read the book "Die Hel en sy mense" and from the content there were many traveling general dealers that never returned from their sales trip to this place as some inhabitants robbed them and disposed of them. Sounded like a dangerous place at some point in history, yet so sirene today. Great commentary and video. Did the Swartberg many times in my Carolla "4x4". Was advised to turn around on the road to the Hel and never tried it all the way. Thanks for a wonderful video.

[@mythos5809]

A different approach is to start at Zoar, hike up Seweweekspoort, move across country, descend a gorge way before the cottages, cross the river, up the peak, down the other side and end up at the farm shop foot of the Swartberg. It takes 10 days, hot as hell in the valley, snow on the mountains, freezing Gamka river. But here's the thing, when descending the gorge the tracks of the donkeys and the cart were clear; used by the inhabitants to go shopping. Even though the road existed then, back in 1970. It was awesome.

[@johnfivaz5874]

Absolutely enjoyed your presentation, really interesting and entertaining thank you!

[@soloafrika]

Thank you.

[@adrioosthuizen6535]

Die Swartberg pass is really beautiful.

[@soloafrika]

Yes, it is.

[@kalliedalebout7151]

Damn..... What a good review!! So much emotion and great commentary! One of the best revies ever! 👏👏 Never been there, but due too this review, started planning!!! Going there in September!!

[@soloafrika]

Thanks for the compliment. Enjoy your trip!

[@abrespangenberg6809]

Amazing video

[@soloafrika]

Thanks!

[@BenzinioB]

Awesome place! Hope some day to drive it, it will be fun indeed, you feel alive the most when some (moderate) adrenalin rush in the veins. Thanks for the ride!

[@soloafrika]

Spot on!

[@bernadinesteyn7362]

At 4:15, that is my bakkie driving past you and at 6:04, that wet patch on the ground in the road, that was me 😁 Lived in Gamkaskloof for a year and did that pass many times, even with a loaded 6 meter trailer You get used to it

[@soloafrika]

Well, we finally meet! I do not want to think about doing that with a trailer. Kudos!

[@eekay5710]

Dankie vir die opname, voel of ek saamgereis het ☺️ Een belangrike punt voor jy die rit onderneem: wees bewus van die son anders kan hy jou verblind. Reisgroete :)

[@estellawobker3568]

It's a tight squeeze when 2 cars are passing one another. I went into pray mode quickly. 😂

[@TheBoorgatspook]

We did this road in a Toyota Corolla (hire) in 2008 ish, was fun.

[@user-qb7md2hl5k]

Hope you had the Chris Rea song ....... This is the road to Hell......... full blast on your CD😂😂😂👋👋👋The swartberg pass is magnificent. Did in a Honda CRV auto all wheel drive - thankfully I don't suffer with vertigo .

[@soloafrika]

Magnificent scenery!

[@rayverster612]

You have missed your calling....you are so funny....havent laughed so much for a looooong time...lol

[@soloafrika]

Glad you enjoyed

[@wilnalourens3339]

It looks worse than it is. Me as a woman also drove down there. Do not let it scare you away.

[@raoulrossouw3789]

well done on your videography

[@soloafrika]

Thank you!

[@outlawadventure]

I enjoyed this video a lot and had some good laughs. Myself suffer from vertigo, and managed to do this with a road bike in the rain. Till today, I did not have the courage to do it with my 4x4.

[@soloafrika]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I guess on a bike you can hug that mountain cliff even 😅closer! Do it in your 4x4. You know what to expect - and it will be ok.

[@godelimnyama3572]

I was hoping that you will show us the village and some activities that take place there

[@soloafrika]

Well, the village is long gone and the inhabitants have left after the road was built.

[@knowingwhattimeitis]

I did it back in 2007 with my Honda Africa Twin 750 and it was easy enough for me though. On a big and loaded adventure bike, Sani was more difficult. My next attempt will be more adventurous with my Jeep Rubicon and Sprite Tourer SP gravel roader and a drone to check for oncoming traffic in order to pull over in advance. Some folk have taken his UEV25 already through Baviaans which is about the same as Die Hel for me. Anyhoo great video and thanks for not boasting about your gear and 590 degree awning etc. I stopped following all these other channels because of that. I much rather prefer watching a couple in a Renault Kwid travelling the country than them I just discovered your channel and enjoyed the simplicity of it and looking forward to more.

[@soloafrika]

Thanks Brian. Hmmmn, thinking of getting that 590 degree awning, lol!

[@mikndrukfilms]

Went down Elands Pass a few weeks ago and just wanted to get the hell out of there again, nerves were shot!

[@soloafrika]

Yes, I understand. But take time to relax and the outward journey is much more relaxed.

[@adrijonker408]

Did the trip on 1st May 2022, road are really bad with the all the rain. Took us more than 3 hours in

[@EnaHamilton-mq4wh]

I'm glad you made it I hope first you find a nice beer or n dubble brandy. I would need a ambulans and a good dokter but first put me out te get me oud there. I saluut you 😁

[@soloafrika]

It wasn't really that bad. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@Dizzyish]

Great video….sub’d 👍🏼

[@soloafrika]

Thanks for the sub!

[@gertmarais7455]

I would like to show you more of gamkaskloof. I was born there

[@soloafrika]

Would be interested. Thank you.

[@coenraadkruger2498]

Hallo Gert Dan Ken jy Vir Piet Marais

[@coenraadkruger2498]

Mis Ek Nou Vir ou Piet hy is gebore in Die Hel Gamkaskloof

[@zithusidaki3371]

When going home which route did you use?

[@soloafrika]

There is only one way in and out for vehicles. So, you have to return the same way that you came in.

[@a95569]

The isolation of this place before the road was built makes you wonder how the original inhabitants coped with medical emergencies.

[@soloafrika]

I think it was very difficult!

[@chrissylater5863]

I take my hat off to all of those who completed this hell of a trek... I would pass out or have a full on heart attack 😲😲😪

[@soloafrika]

Its really not that frightening if you know what to expect.

[@pdgg7025]

What is the background history of the pass.

[@soloafrika]

Google is your friend. 😃 Lots of info available.

[@annetteelliott1494]

Pity about the sound that disappears every now and then...

[@soloafrika]

I have re-uploaded the same video without the copyright problem. Recommend that you see that version.

[@ireway1988]

I will trade you a trip on the M60 round Manchester in the UK anyday for a trip up The Hell, you will find this a lot worse ....Trust me.

[@soloafrika]

Nope, havn't done that. But have done the London orbital on Christmas eve in a large camper van. Circled London several times before finding the right exit!

[@stackmanstack]

Try to put put less of your self and more of the road an scenery.

[@soloafrika]

Yes, Boss

[@marlenegreyling8620]

@@soloafrika 👍🏻😀