Ou Wa Pad

About Ou Wa Pad

Ou Wa Pad (historically meaning "Old Wagon Road") is a historic, rugged mountain pass and jeep track nestled along Ou Kaapse Weg inside the Silvermine Nature Reserve. Before the modern asphalt pass was engineered, this steep route was used by early 18th-century ox-wagons and local farmers to transport fresh produce from the Deep South valley over the Steenberg Mountains into Cape Town. Today, it functions as a popular intermediate multi-use trail for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. The trail runs parallel to Ou Kaapse Weg on its upper northern slopes, immersing outdoor enthusiasts in pristine mountain fynbos, seasonal protea blooms, and majestic panoramic views of False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.