De Grendel Wines 16

Image sourced by African Travel Crew

Chapman’s Peak Drive opened 6 May 1922 by the Governor of the union of South Africa, His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught; to connect the two towns of Hout Bay and Noordhoek and was an amazing engineering feat in its day, today almost 100 years later it still serves its purpose with added and improved – award winning – engineering that is in itself an awe inspiring site with catch fences and structures consisting of a half tunnel and canopy.

Work started on the road in 1915 with the use of convict labour and took 7 years to complete at a cost of ₤20 000. Over the year’s erosion and weather conditions caused major rock falls and the road was closed numerous times. After intensive design and reconstruction in its current state Chapman’s Peak Drive was reopened to traffic as a toll road on 20 December 2003. The opening was a welcome return for the drive as an “international tourist destination” complementing other tourist destinations in the Western Cape. Chapman’s Peak Drive does however have temporary closures for routine maintenance and during dangerous weather conditions. The 100 year anniversary celebration will culminate with a series of events centred around Chapman’s Peak Drive between the 6th to 8th May 2022. In order to celebrate connecting communities, two marketplaces will open to the public in both Noordhoek and Hout Bay, on either side of Chapman’s Peak Drive. The marketplaces will feature food and beverage stands, live music and fun and games for the kids. Special inter-market events will be held including Harley Davidson parades and rides, vintage car rallies across Chappies and cycling relays.