Northeast of Solitaire the road starts its argument with the escarpment. The Spreetshoogte Pass is a gravel track that climbs from the Namib plains to the highlands of the Khomas Hochland, and it is famous for its gradient. Locals describe it as one of the steepest passes in Namibia, and the engineers who built it were not bashful about taking the shortest line up the hill.
The riding demands real attention. The surface is graded gravel with loose stones, sections of corrugation and steep concrete or hard-packed strips on the sharpest ramps. Low gears and steady throttle are the way to climb, and engine braking is essential on the descent, as the front brake can lock on loose ground. If you meet a vehicle coming the other way, the narrow sections can be tight, so hold your line and let the heavier machine pass. Do not try the pass in rain, because the surface can become slick, and avoid it in the heat of midday, when the engine and the rider are both under strain.
The geology is plain to see. Layers of rock, tilted and worn, form the face of the escarpment, with dry watercourses cutting through it. The vegetation shifts as you climb, from sparse desert grass on the plain to shrubs and hardy trees on the slopes, and the air becomes cooler and a little less dry. The views back toward the Namib are huge, with the red dunes and gravel plains laid out like a map under a hazy sky.
Wildlife can be seen if you are quiet and lucky. Baboons live on the rocky slopes, and kudu, oryx and mountain zebra are found on the plateau. Eagles and vultures circle on the thermals. The pass is a reminder that the desert is not empty, but a place where life has adapted to heat, drought and wind.
Carry water, since the climb is thirsty work and help is distant, and tell someone your plan. Mobile signal is patchy or absent, so a basic repair kit and tyre pump are worth carrying. Take your time, enjoy the view at the top, and be ready for a strong wind at the crest.