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Mountain Drive
About Mountain Drive
Mountain Drive is one of Makhanda’s most iconic outdoor destinations. Perched high above the town on the Rietberg ridgeline, it offers spectacular views, open grasslands, and access to a diverse network of trails ranging from easy family walks to challenging mountain bike and trail running routes.
Originally established as a scenic drive along the crest of the Rietberg, Mountain Drive has become one of the premier outdoor recreation areas in Makhanda. The area combines dramatic views, indigenous vegetation, rocky outcrops, and wide-open spaces, creating a unique landscape for exploration and adventure.
Today, Mountain Drive serves as a major trailhead for the G-Town Trails network, providing access to a variety of routes suitable for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, dog walkers, and nature lovers. Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll to a viewpoint, a scenic trail run, or a more technical mountain bike ride, Mountain Drive offers something for every ability level.
From its elevated position above the town, visitors are rewarded with sweeping views across Makhanda, the surrounding valleys, and the Eastern Cape countryside, making it a destination worth visiting in its own right.
Trailhead Captains
Our mayors for this area
Eurico M
“TopMarqs”
Greg W
Trailhead features
- Bike Service1 on the trails
Mechanic available to fix or tune your bike
- Dam1 on the trails
Reservoir or dam — worth a stop for the views
- Flow Trail1 on the trails
Smooth, bermed sections — mostly downhill
- Jump2 on the trails
Built jumps and tabletops on the trail
- Parking2 on the trails
Street or off-street parking available
- Railway crossing2 on the trails
Railway level crossing
- Ramp1 on the trails
Wooden or built-up ramps on trail
- Scenic stretch1 on the trails
Especially pretty stretch of the trail
Explore Mountain Drive
Sneak preview of this trailhead location
Discover the Trails
Routes starting/ending within Mountain Drive