Hela Hela Pass
Encyclopedia
Hela Hela Pass, also known as Helehele Pass, is situated in the KwaZulu-Natal
province of South Africa
, on the road between Richmond
and Donnybrook. There are various versions around as to the origins of the name of the pass. The most plausible being, that due to thick impenetrable bush in the area, the local herders cut a pathway to the grasslands at the top, but this pathway was so narrow that they had to walk in single file. The Zulu word for single file being "ihela ihela"
To access the Pass you first have to drive down into the Umkomaas Valley on a fairly steep dirt road that just carries on going down until you get to the bridge that crosses the Umkomaas River.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
province of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, on the road between Richmond
Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal
Richmond is a town situated on the banks of the upper Illovo River in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, approximately 38 km south-west of Pietermaritzburg. Timber, sugarcane, poultry, citrus fruit and dairy goods are produced here...
and Donnybrook. There are various versions around as to the origins of the name of the pass. The most plausible being, that due to thick impenetrable bush in the area, the local herders cut a pathway to the grasslands at the top, but this pathway was so narrow that they had to walk in single file. The Zulu word for single file being "ihela ihela"
To access the Pass you first have to drive down into the Umkomaas Valley on a fairly steep dirt road that just carries on going down until you get to the bridge that crosses the Umkomaas River.