This track was identified and mapped via high-resolution satellite imagery.
Serra da Leba Pass Road
One of Africa's most photographed roads. From Lubango on the Huíla plateau the road crosses Humpata, then drops off the escarpment in the tight stacked hairpins of the Serra da Leba pass, more than a kilometre down to the plains. From there it runs west through increasingly dry country into the Namib desert, ending on the Atlantic coast at Moçâmedes (Namibe).
Trail Map
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Trail Profile
General Instructions
About 188 km, around 3.5 hours of driving. The Leba pass is steep and very winding: descend in a low gear, don't stop on the hairpins, and watch for slow trucks. Fill up in Lubango, and carry water for the desert section. Morning light is best for photographs from the top.
Weather check
Sampling Micro-Climate...
-14.9195, 13.4900
Slide to preview conditions across the entire route • Point: -14.9195, 13.4900 @ 1776m
Quick Stats
Highlights
- Stop at the Serra da Leba viewpoint for the classic view of the hairpins
- Visit the Tundavala gap near Lubango
- See welwitschia plants in the Namib desert
- Walk the seafront in Moçâmedes
- Continue south to Iona National Park
Field Radio Protocol
VHF-UHF Communication
Propagation Telemetry
Ridge Line
92%Gorge Floor
18%Sector Relay: Sector Alpha Relay• 12-18 KM Range
Regulatory Compliance
VHF/UHF frequencies are for monitoring and emergency coordination only. Transmitting on these bands may require an Amateur Radio License or regional government permits. Check local telecommunications laws before operation.
Technical Analysis
Total Ascent
+723 m
Total Descent
-2491 m
Ruggedness Index
Terrain Roughness Index
Vertical displacement per km. Typical range: 0 (Smooth) to 100+ (Extreme Mountain).
17.1
Tortuosity Index
Route Curviness Index
Ratio of actual path to straight line. Typical range: 1.0 (Direct) to 3.0+ (Switchbacks).
1.28
Gradient Distribution
Surface & Hydrology
Surface Spectrum Analysis
Includes only technical water fords where the vehicle actively enters a stream or riverbed. Permanent bridges are excluded from this count.
Difficulty Analysis
Difficulty is determined by a technical multi-vector analysis of elevation profile, surface quality, and topographic intensity.
Bounding Box (WGS84)
Point Spacing: 47.6 m • Engine: TrailX Precision GPX ANALYTICS v1.0.0
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Plan this trip
Before you go: Serra da Leba Pass Road
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