Franschhoek Pass closed indefinitely after Western Cape floods

Travellers heading to the Cape Winelands are being advised to adjust their routes after the Western Cape Government confirmed that the scenic Franschhoek Pass has been closed to all traffic following severe storm damage caused by recent heavy rains and flooding.

According to an announcement issued on 14 May 2026, the closure applies to all road users, including light motor vehicles, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and cyclists. Authorities reported numerous additional mud and rock slips along the route, as well as significant bridge damage, making the mountain pass unsafe for travel.

Roadblocks have been established at the mountain-side exit of Franschhoek and at the T-junction near the Theewaterskloof Dam. No exceptions are currently permitted.

Residents travelling to La Rochelle and Karmel can only access these areas via Franschhoek.

The Franschhoek Pass is one of the Western Cape’s most iconic scenic drives and a major tourism route linking the Franschhoek Valley with the Overberg region and Villiersdorp. The winding mountain road is especially popular with self-drive travellers, cyclists and motorcyclists due to its panoramic views over vineyards, mountain ranges and the Theewaterskloof Dam. The route also forms part of several popular Cape Winelands itineraries connecting Franschhoek's wine estates, guesthouses and restaurants with destinations further east.

The closure is expected to have a significant impact on tourism traffic in the region, particularly over weekends and during the winter travel season, when the pass is frequently used by domestic and international visitors exploring the Cape Winelands.

Motorists are urged to make use of alternative routes and allow additional travel time. Travellers planning trips between Franschhoek, Villiersdorp, Hermanus or the Overberg region should monitor official Western Cape Government channels for updates on reopening timelines and road conditions.

At this stage, authorities have not indicated when the Franschhoek Pass will reopen.

 

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Western Cape: Franschhoek Pass closed for construction! [update]

update (12 January 2024): The Franschhoek Pass which connects Franschhoek and the towns of Grabouw and Villiersdorp will be closed between 08:00 and 17:00 on weekdays for construction purposes. The pass was open during the festive season, but construction has commenced again. The pass is therefor closed again since 08 January 2024 till the end of February 2024.
The pass was reopened to selected categories of light motor vehicles after it was closed following a severe storms and flooding that hit the Western Cape in September 2023. The teams started working on temporary repairs as soon as the engineering team was satisfied that the landslips had stabilised sufficiently to start work.
The works have reached a point where the pass must be closed daily to initiate the soil-nailing process, of phase one. Soil nailing is a technique used to stabilise existing slopes. This soil reinforcement process uses metal tendons which are drilled and grouted into the soil to create something that represents a gravity wall. For this to be done, the pass needs to be closed due to the size of the equipment that is used and the size of the working area required.
Light motor vehicles will be able to traverse the pass outside of the closure times. The use of the pass, even during times when the pass is open, by vehicles with a mass of more than 5 tons remains strictly prohibited.
Road users are strongly advised to continue using alternative routes.
Work on permanent repairs continues. The Department of Infrastructure foresees that it will still be a considerable period before the pass will allow two-way traffic. The first of various temporary closures will be in place as per the tables below. 

The Western Cape Infrastructure Department has announced that the Franschhoek Pass, which connects Franschhoek and the towns of Grabouw and Villiersdorp, is closed due to construction work following severe storms and flooding that hit the Western Cape in September 2023. According to Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers,  the closure of Franschhoek Pass will take effect from Mondays to Fridays between 08:00 and 17:00 from 28 November 2023 until 15 December 2023. The pass will then be open from 15 December 2023 (with the proceed-when-safe arrangement and weight restriction) until 07 January 2024 and closed again from 08 January 2024 till the end of February 2024. Simmers further said that light motor vehicles will be able to traverse Franschhoek Pass outside of the closure times. The use of the pass, even during times when the pass is open, by vehicles with a mass of more than five tons remains strictly prohibited.

Western Cape: Franschhoek Pass has been re-opened for traffic!

Franschhoek Pass (also known as Lambrechts Road), located on the R45 between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp in South Africa's Western Cape, has been re-opened for traffic on 06 September 2019 by the Western Cape's Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW). The pass was closed due to rockfall since 22 June 2019. According to a press release by the Western Cape Government, Franschhoek Pass will be closed again for further remedial works, should there be any indication that the road is unsafe.

Western Cape: Franschhoek Pass will reopen in September/October 2019!

Franschhoek Pass (also known as Lambrechts Road), located on the R45 between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp in South Africa's Western Cape, has been closed for safety reasons after a rockfall on 22 June 2019. Following a geotechnical investigation into the extent and nature of the damage, contractors have been appointed to do rock barring and other necessary remedial work. If all goes according to plan and weather permitting, these remedial works will be complete by the end of September 2019 or the beginning of October 2019. At that point, the pass will be reopened to traffic.

Western Cape: The Franschhoek Pass will remain closed until further notice [update]

update (03 July 2019): According to the Stellenbosch Municipality, a second rockfall occurred on Franschhoek Pass.

The Franschhoek Pass (also known as Lambrechts Road), located on the R45 between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp in South Africa's Western Cape, had to be closed for safety reasons after a rockfall on 22 June 2019. A geotechnical investigation is currently underway to determine the extent and nature of the damage. Only once the report on this assessment has been received will it be possible to determine the next steps. The Franschhoek Pass will remain closed until further notice.