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Blue Mountain Pass

Mohale, Lesotho

Blue Mountain Pass also referred to as Lekhalo la Thaba Putsoa in Sesotho is one of the longest passes on the tarred A3 route between Maseru and Mohale at 18.3 km. Although the average gradient is a mild 1:40, those numbers are diluted by the long plateau section in the middle. The reality is that the gradients get steep at either end - as steep as 1:6.This is another high altitude pass reaching a maximum of 2642m ASL. The pass is also commonly called the Blue Mountain Pass. This is one of the coldest parts of Lesotho in winter and summer.

There are plenty of bends, corners and curves to keep you busy - a total of 95 of them and of those 12 are greater than 90 degrees, which include two hairpin bends.

The road is in a good condition and can be driven in any vehicle, but the usual Lesotho cautionaries apply of ice and snow on the road in winter, free roaming livestock, slow moving trucks and the ubiquitous herdsmen. The area can be subject to severe electrical storms in the summer months.

Blue Mountain Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.641m (8,664ft) above the sea level, in the central highlands of western Lesotho. Located atop a long ride over a high plateau, offers great views. It's one of the highest mountain roads of the country. The road over the pass, also known as Lekhalong-la-Thaba-Putsoa, is paved and pretty curvy. It’s called A3, and links the villages of Likalaneng and Nazareth. The climb is very steep (with sections up to 1:6). The pass has 95 curves (with two hairpin bends).

The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Temperatures here in the winter are brutally cold. The summit receives regular snowfalls. The area can be subject to severe electrical storms in the summer months.

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