Midlands Meander – Diverse and Scenic
Covering a distance of around 80 kilometers between Pietermaritzburg and Mooiriver, the Midlands Meander opens up a world of creative diversity to those who take the time to explore it. Not only is the Midlands Meander the oldest route of its kind in South Africa, it is widely considered to be the longest and the most popular as well.
Winding through the scenic Natal Midlands, the four Midlands Meander routes incorporate more than one hundred stops. Visitors can expect to meet up with weavers, woodcrafters, potters, leather workers, sculptors, artists, metalworkers, herb growers, box makers, beer brewers, cheese makers and musical instrument crafters, to name but a few. Accommodation along the Midlands Meander is plentiful and varied, with options to suit all budgets. Restaurants and country kitchens serve up a feast of healthy, organic fare along with locally brewed beer and other home-made refreshments. Horse riding, fly-fishing, hiking, strolling, birding, mountain biking and a host of other activities will keep the whole family entertained.
The Midlands Meander was created in 1983 as a means of introducing the public to this beautiful part of the world, while at the same time marketing local arts and crafts at affordable prices. Many of these skilled, innovative crafters are rat-race refugees who are fulfilling their dream of enjoying a simpler lifestyle. The Midlands Meander is such a pleasure to explore that you may find yourself very reluctant to leave. Be sure to take your wallet along with you, as it is virtually impossibly to leave the Midlands Meander empty handed.
