Information provided by Hans Bornman from his unpublished book, Lowveld Tour Guide:
Robber’s Pass, 27 km in length, is situated between Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve and Pilgrim’s Rest. The pass was completed in 1983 at a cost of R9,25 million. The first six kilometres of the road is south of the Ohrigstad River, then crosses the river and gradually follows the contour to the highest point of the mountain which is 1 778 metres above sea level. The road then descends some 540 metres over a distance of nine kilometres, following the old coach road. The first road over the mountain was constructed in 1873 and the pass gets its name from the two stage coach robberies that took place in December 1897 and the second one in June 1912. The first robbers, who made off with £10 000 worth of bullion, were never caught, but the second robber was brought to book and had to serve a five-year jail sentence.