Walk The Land Follow The Legends
Tuesday, 17th June 2025
Mountain Drive isn’t just a trail—it’s a living archive. Once a place where yellowwood trees became beams and floorboards, where stone was carved for walls of Grahamstown, this land holds layers of human and natural history.
Now a conservancy on Makhanda’s southern commonage, this wild stretch was set aside for citizens in the early 1800s—and it still belongs to the people. Hike the same slopes locals have loved for generations: for birding, biking, photography, picnics, and sheer joy.
From alien trees planted by 19th-century councils to kloofs that were once private and now protect native species, every turn of the trail has a story.
What you’ll find in the Story Map:
- Lost histories & local legends
- Wild geology & rare species
- Hidden access points & epic views
- Walks, hikes, and places that take your breath away
- Clubs, events & ways to get involved
Let the mountain pull you in.
No signal. No schedule. Just you, the path, and the stories under your feet. Find the guide here.
Guide by Philippa Irvine & Sheldon Strydom (Rhodes University, Geography Dept).
Photograph courtesy of Makhanda Wild Hikers Crew
