Maclear Drakensberg Foothills
Maclear is a small highland town in the foothills of the Eastern Cape Drakensberg — surrounded by a pastoral landscape of grassland farms, mountain streams and the dramatic escarpment wall visible to the northwest. The 35km Foothills Loop explores the gravel roads and mountain tracks through this beautiful highland terrain with consistent Drakensberg views.
What to Expect
Gravel farm roads and mountain tracks on moderately hilly Drakensberg foothills terrain. The route passes through productive highland farming country with the escarpment as a constant backdrop — on clear days the views are extraordinary. River crossings on the lower sections add interest and the highland grassland has a clean, fresh quality year-round.
Getting There
Maclear is on the R56 in the northeastern Eastern Cape. GPS: -31.0712, 28.3523.
n
🌐 Visit Official Trail Website →
More Trails in Eastern Cape
9 trailsBaviaanskloof 32km Challenge
32km advanced challenge through the full Baviaanskloof wilderness loop — river crossings, rocky mountain climbs, dramatic…
Buffalo City Coastal Sprint
15km intermediate coastal sprint through Buffalo City's beachfront trail network — Indian Ocean views, coastal dune…
Mthatha Dam Ride
20km intermediate dam ride through Mthatha Dam Nature Reserve — gravel tracks along the Wild Coast's…
Matatiele Mountain Sprint
18km advanced mountain sprint from Matatiele into the rocky Drakensberg foothills — technical climbing on high-altitude…
Alfred Nzo 20km Forest Ride
20km intermediate forest ride through the Alfred Nzo District — indigenous forest tracks and gravel roads…
Dordrecht Mountain Pass
25km advanced mountain loop from Dordrecht over a dramatic Eastern Cape pass — rocky mountain terrain,…
Hogsback Waterfall Loop
20km intermediate forest loop connecting multiple Hogsback waterfalls — the 39 Steps, the Bridal Veil and…
Wild Coast 40km Challenge
40km advanced Wild Coast epic — the full challenge of South Africa's most spectacular unspoiled coastline…
Rhodes Drakensberg Descent
25km advanced descent from the Drakensberg escarpment toward Rhodes village — the Eastern Cape's highest settlement…
