This mountain pass in Helderberg was named after Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, who was governor of the Cape in 1828. Today's four-lane highway is a far cry from the original pass, when travelers would have had a far more challenging time negotiating this formidable mountain range. Now Sir Lowry’s Pass allows easy passage across this daunting natural barrier with the chance to enjoy some spectacular views along the way.
The striking beauty of the area, which is often mysteriously shrouded in mist and rain, more than makes up for the traffic that inevitably builds up through Somerset West and around Gordons Bay. The summit provides one of the most dramatic backdrops in the Western Cape, and on a clear day it’s even possible to see the range from the southern suburbs of Cape Town some 37 miles (60 km) away.