It was initially an animal track where a road was built around the time of World War II, including a 200m Du Toitskloof Tunnel.

The Huguenot Tunnel, opened in 1988, is the largest curved structure in South Africa and shortens the road by 11 kilometres (6.8 mi).

The surrounding peaks often sport a covering of snow and the Mountain Club of South Africa has huts in the area.

[2]: 24  At that time, Detlef Siegfried Schonfeldt (a former lieutenant in the 45th Württemberg Hussars)[1] of the farm Du Toitskloof asked the Cape Colony government for money for a road through the pass but no funds were provided.

[2]: 25  It cost R1.25 million and was 40 km long with the road opened in March 1949 by Prime Minister DF Malan.