The western side of the mountain drops abruptly hundreds of metres into the Atlantic Ocean, and a road known as Chapman’s Peak Drive hugs the near-vertical mountainside, connecting Hout Bay with Noordhoek. Tourists and locals alike often stop at viewpoints along the road, which offer views of Hout Bay, Sentinel Peak and the surrounding area, as well as Noordhoek Beach.

In 1988, a driver took his eyes off the road and missed one of the road’s many hairpin turns, plummeting his Mercedes-Benz 30 stories below. Miraculously, he lived to tell the tale, and years later Mercedes filmed an advert at the site to demonstrate the safety of their cars.

The roads have since improved and the route is safer, but anyone who has driven Chapman’s Peak Drive will be acutely aware of the stunningly steep cliff face. If you can handle the twists and turns of the ride, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the mountainous southwest coast of South Africa.

Along the route, affectionately known as “Chappie,” there are several viewpoints where travelers can buy local art as souvenirs and take photos. The ride is also a popular destination for cyclists looking to challenge themselves; one of Cape Town’s biggest cycling events is the Chapman’s Peak Route. The ride starts in the coastal town of Hout Bay, climbs steeply to Chapman’s Peak, and ends in Noordhoek on the Southern Peninsula.