One of the great day trips that you can take from Cape Town is of course driving the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive. This stunning drive will take you through dramatic scenery, coastal villages, and beautiful beaches. While hugging the edge of the cliff this 9-kilometer drive winds its way through an impressive amount of 114 bends. Along the way you will be spoiled with some breathtaking views – Chapman’s Peak Drive simply is one of the most scenic drives in South Africa. Read along for the ultimate guide for the perfect road trip of Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Chapman’s Peak road trip
When in Cape Town most people only drive along the short 9 kilometers of Chapman’s Peak Drive. However, there is much more to see and explore along the route than the stunning scenery along the drive. Therefore, we have made this perfect road trip along Chapman’s Peak and further down Cape Peninsula. By driving along the ocean you will be rewarded with some incredible views. Going on a Chapman’s Peak road trip is definitely a must-do in Cape Town. Below you can find the perfect route for a drive along Chapman’s Peak drive – Remember to stop at every viewpoint to soak it all up!
Stop 1: Chapman’s Peak Drive
The first stop on your road trip should be Chapman’s Peak Drive. This is the main attraction of this trip and should not be rushed. Starting here will therefore allow you to take as much time as you need to admire the stunning views, stop at every viewpoint, and so forth. This drive is so stunning with the dramatic mountains on one side and the cliffs plunging into the ocean on the other.
Stop 2: Noordhoek
After driving along Chapman’s Peak Drive most people tend to turn around and drive back to Cape Town. However, we would recommend you drive further along the Cape Peninsula toward Noordhoek. On your way, you will be rewarded with an incredible view of the beach from the road. This huge beach looks like something from the Caribbean. If you like to make a longer stop the beach is perfect for a walk or you can join one of the horse rides in the area.
Stop 3: Kommetjie
From Noordhoek, you should be bound for Kommetjie. This small coastal village has a cute vibe to it with delicious restaurants and a beautiful beach. This is the perfect place for a lunch break! Afterward, you should head to the beach for a lovely walk out to Slangkop Lighthouse.
Stop 4: Scarborough Beach
The next stop on your road trip is Scarborough Beach. When we decided to extend our road trip to go further down the Cape Peninsula this was the section of it that we hadn’t read much about. But thank God we decided to drive to Scarborough Beach! This was the quietest section of the drive, and it was just stunning. You drive along the coastline with some beautiful beaches with wand sand and turquoise water. Scarborough Beach is one of these, and it is definitely worth going on a walk along the beach. The small town itself is also worth a look, as it has a cozy vibe over it.
Stop 5: Hout Bay
From Scarborough, you must turn around and drive back towards Cape Town. You are also able to visit Cape Point Nature Reserve if you want to drive further along the Cape Peninsula. However, we would highly recommend you spend a whole day exploring the area or at least make a Cape Peninsula road trip of it. Therefore, this trip is heading back to Cape Town. If you have time, you can make a stop in Hout Bay. A visit during the weekend is preferable as this is when they host their market.
Stop 6: Clifton 4th
From Hout Bay, you have a short drive back to Cape Town. Before you head back to your accommodation you should swing by Clifton 4th or some of the other beaches in Cape Town. After spending the day in a car, it is nice to dip your toes in the ocean. It’s the perfect way to end your Chapman’s Peak road trip.
Everything you need to know before driving the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive
Before you are going on your drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive there are a few things you might find useful to know. Therefore, we have gathered everything you need to know before driving the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Getting to Chapman’s Peak Drive
We would highly recommend you rent a car for your road trip along Chapman’s Peak. That way you can do it at your own pace and stop as many times as you want. However, if you are not comfortable driving by yourself there are several tour operators in Cape Town to choose from.
Getting to Chapman’s Peak Drive from Cape Town is relatively easy. From the city, you must drive along M62 to Camps Bay, where you’ll find M6 which will lead you straight to Chapman’s Peak. Along the route, you will find plenty of signs pointing you in the right direction. We would recommend you use Google Maps during your road trip. Just put in the names of the stops mentioned earlier and you are all set to go.
Opening Hours
Chapman’s Peak Drive is open every day of the year. However, the road might close under severe weather conditions or during times of maintenance. It is always to check their website before your trip. You can see if the road is open right here.
Chapman’s Peak prices
To drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, you must pay a toll, which is paid at the Hout Bay side of the road. The prices to drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive can be seen in the table below.
| Type of vehicle | Price – one way |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | 228 ZAR |
| Car | 228 ZAR |
| Smaller buses and trucks | 228 ZAR |
| Bus | 571 ZAR |
Time spent driving the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive in South Africa
Chapman’s Peak Drive can easily be visited in a few hours. However, we would recommend you make a day out of it and go on a full road trip. You should, therefore, set aside a whole day for this trip. There are so many viewpoints to stop by, that you will want most of the day to really explore this stunning scenery.
Best time to drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive
The best time to drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive in South Africa is definitely in the morning. This is when the crowds tend to be smaller, as the tours often arrive between 09:00 and 10:00. Visiting between May and September might be a bad idea, as this is the wetter and windier season of Cape Town. Consequently, Chapman’s Peak Drive might be closed due to severe weather conditions. A visit in spring and summer is therefore highly recommended.
