The village of McGregor, which is located in the foothills of the Riviersonderend Mountains, has been described as a ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Breede River Valley.
Less than a two-hour drive from Cape Town and 20 minutes from the town of Robertson, in the village of McGregor, it is as if time has slowed down in this village.
Also read: 10 places to visit in the beautiful village of McGregor
Here, thatched-roofed, whitewashed houses line long, winding roads, and those with green fingers will find joy in the village’s many beautiful gardens.
The reason for this is simple: McGregor has no through roads, but it does have a landmark known as ‘The Road to Nowhere’.
This tarred road runs from Robertson to (and through) McGregor and it ends abruptly beyond the village border.
There were supposedly plans to turn the road into a pass leading to Greyton in the mid-1800s, but due to financial and labour difficulties, this never materialised.
Fertile land
While farmers tended the Overberg’s fertile soils in the 1700s, McGregor was established later in 1861.
The village was known as Lady Grey before being renamed in honour of Rev Andrew McGregor of the Dutch Reformed Church in 1905. Today, the fruitful land in and around McGregor continues to provide.
Its numerous wineries in the area include Lord’s Wines (lordswinery.com), McGregor Winery (mcgregorwinery.co.za) and Tanagra Winery & Distillery (tanagra.co.za), which are all on the Robertson Wine Route.
Connect with nature
Although McGregor’s temperatures can be sweltering in summer and freezing in winter, it offers the perfect opportunity to connect with nature.
There are numerous hiking trails to explore, such as the Kleinberg Trail in the surrounding hills. This trail is not difficult and takes roughly two hours to complete.
For those seeking a more challenging route, the 13km Rooikat Hiking Trail and 14km Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail traverse more mountainous terrain.
You must, however, buy a permit from CapeNature (capenature.co.za) to access the Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail, since it passes through the Dassieshoek Nature Reserve. It follows a trail through the Riviersonderend Mountains that ends in Greyton. You can complete the trail in two days, staying overnight at Oak Falls.
If hitting the trails on two wheels is more up to your speed, you won’t be disappointed, as McGregor offers various mountain-biking routes.
You can enjoy a flat trail with the entire family at the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, where you may spot wildlife on its 8km gravel trails.
Don’t fret if you want a more exhilarating trail because there are plenty of longer, more challenging single-track routes available for those seeking more adventurous routes.
The McGregor Tourism Bureau, on the corner of Church and Voortrekker Streets, can help you find a route.
Feeling arty
Having conquered the trails, visit the local art scene.
Get your creative juices flowing with a pottery class at Kin or The Potter’s House, a pottery studio and gallery where you can admire and purchase beautiful, hand-built and painted pieces by local artists, as well as enjoy homemade treats in their tea garden.
Fill your belly
All the fresh air you’re bound to get in McGregor will work up an appetite, so stopping for a bite to eat at one of the town’s many culinary offerings will be an opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine.
At The Courtyard Bistro & Theatre (atthecourtyard.co) you can enjoy dinner and a show, where they offer an impressive bistro menu and a wine list with offerings from local wine estates.
If you want to take things at a slow and easy pace, head to Viljoensdrift ([email protected]), where you can pack a picnic basket at their deli before cruising down the Breede River with deli treats and Viljoensdrift wine.
It is advised to book ahead to secure your spot aboard Uncle Ben 2, their flat-bottomed river boat. Trips are 50 minutes long and cost R100 for adults and R30 for children aged three to 12.
Rest your head
After hours of exploring what McGregor has to offer, you can rest your head at Rhythm Full On (076 411 9477 [Mira], [email protected]), a lovingly curated home which offers much more than every comfort you require on a getaway, such as a sauna, which is perfect to help ease your body after a fully-packed day.
The house sleeps four people with a lush garden oasis surrounding the home.
Not to be missed
A trip to McGregor is incomplete without visiting the village’s Saturday Morning Market, which is hosted behind the NG Kerk church hall on Church Street.
Weather dependent, the market opens from 9am to 11am every Saturday, selling farm-fresh vegetables, homemade marmalades and baked goods, pre-loved items and even treats for your animal friends.
Speaking of which, you can even visit the Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary (donkeysanctuary.co.za), where ‘destitute and rescued donkeys’ have a permanent place of safety.
Besides rehabilitating these donkeys, the sanctuary offers education and training to the local community. You can support their efforts by visiting their coffee shop inside the Visitor’s Centre which overlooks the paddocks and dam.
You can also make a donation via their website or adopt a donkey for as little as R50 per month.
Also read:
Picture: Getaway Gallery
