Satellite map of Gamsberg Pass

Khomas Region · Namibia

Gamsberg Pass

C26Windhoek to Rostock (C14 junction)

Distance122.8 mi198 km
Drive time4 h 6 minon the road
DifficultyModeratetightness 5 of 10
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Namibia’s longest mountain pass, 192 km of gravel from Windhoek across the Great Escarpment at nearly 1,900 m, descending through the Kuiseb valley to the edge of the Namib, with no towns and no tarmac.

The C26 leaves Windhoek southwest into the Khomas Highland before cresting Gamsberg Pass (1,867 m), where the flat-topped Gamsberg inselberg dominates, then descends dramatically into the Kuiseb valley toward the desert before rejoining C14 near Rostock. The entire 192 km is unpaved gravel, one of the great Southern African gravel drives; carry extra fuel and water.

Scenery

MountainValleyGorge

Best seasons

AutumnWinterSpring

In these collections

In these guides

Gamsberg Pass on the map122.8 mi · point to point

WindhoekStart · Khomas Region
Rostock (C14 junction)End · Khomas Region

Character

Corners131bends
Tightness5of 10
Max gradient13%≈ 1-in-8
Descent2,506 mtotal descent
Summit2,066.2 mhighest point of the line · 6,779 ft

Corners

busiest around mile 93
316192 mi

Elevation

under 4%4–8%over 8%1,033.3 – 2,066.2 m
summit · 2,066.2 m 1,2501,5001,7502,000 m 061122 mi

Points of interest1 stop

  • Kupferberg PassViewpoint
    16 mi in

Hazards

  • Entirely unpaved gravel
  • Corrugated sections
  • Loose stones
  • No fuel between Windhoek and C14
  • Summer flash floods

Sources

  • “The Gamsberg Pass is the longest and the highest pass in Namibia, with a maximum altitude of 1867 metres above sea level.”

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Gamsberg Pass: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Gamsberg Pass?
Gamsberg Pass runs 122.8 miles (198 km) and takes about 4 h 6 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Gamsberg Pass to drive?
We rate it moderate: 131 corners, a maximum gradient of 13%, and a tightness of 5 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Gamsberg Pass?
Autumn and Winter and Spring are best.
Is the Gamsberg Pass fully paved?
No, part of the route runs on gravel or unpaved surface. Entirely unpaved gravel Corrugated sections Loose stones No fuel between Windhoek and C14 Summer flash floods Namibia’s longest mountain pass, 192 km of gravel from Windhoek across the Great Escarpment at nearly 1,900 m, descending through the Kuiseb valley to the edge of the Namib, with no towns and no tarmac.

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