Driving the Steep Road to Mariepskop
South Africa, africa
20.2 km
1,942 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Mariepskop! This South African beauty, peaking at 1,942m (6,371ft), sits right on the border of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and let me tell you, it's a drive you won't forget.
Mariepskop, also known as Marepe or Maripekop, is nestled within the Mariepskop Nature Reserve. Named after Chief Maripe Mashile, who used this mountain as a stronghold back in the day, this peak is the highest in the northern Drakensberg Escarpment. And the views? Unreal! On a clear day, you can supposedly spot the Indian Ocean and Maputo! Plus, the summit is home to some cool government installations, like a radar station.
The adventure starts in Moloro, with a 20.2 km (12.5 miles) climb ahead. You'll gain a whopping 1,253m in elevation, averaging a gradient of 6.20%. Word to the wise: skip this drive during the rainy season or when it's wet.
The road is a mix of gravel, paved sections, and concrete. A high-clearance vehicle is a must, and a 4x4 is highly recommended. The final 7 km are concrete, with some seriously steep sections hitting 33%! But don't worry too much, the concrete road itself is fairly safe, without any crazy drop-offs. Get ready for an epic climb!
Where is it?
Driving the Steep Road to Mariepskop is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -29.9373, 25.3634
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 20.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,942 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -29.9373, 25.3634
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