Nelsberg Pass / Nelshoogte

Afrikaans name: Nelsbergpas

Nelsberg Pass

Photo © Steven Herbert

Mpumalanga

The Nelsberg Pass is also known as the Nelshoogte Pass. It is on the R38 between Badplaas and Barberton in Mpumalanga.

This scenic pass is 12 km in length and rises 405 metres, from its lowest point on the eastern approach, to a height of 1544 metres. The road is tarred and in good condition but it is fairly steep in parts with a gradient of 1:7.

The Nelsberg Pass road goes through the Nelshoogte State Forest which is a plantation of pine trees.

The pass is named after Louis Johannes Nel who owned farms in the area. The name "Nel" is well-known in Mpumalanga with Nelspruit having been founded by Louis Nel's three sons.

Have you crossed the Nelsberg Pass? What was it like?

Above - Nelsberg Pass

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Mountain Passes South Africa

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