Exploring the Midlands Meander: Attractions Near Howick Falls

Living in Howick, my morning routine often involves standing on my veranda with a mug of strong tea, watching teh mist roll across the Umgeni Valley before sunlight cuts through the trees. Most visitors arrive in town with a single clear purpose: to witness the spectacular 95-metre drop of Howick Falls as it plunges into the dark gorge below. Yet, once you have taken in that roaring spectacle from the main platform, the surrounding green country roads hold an irresistible pull. The town rests at the threshold of KwaZulu-Natal’s famous country arts route, where rolling hills, historic farmsteads, and creative studios invite you to spend days exploring.

People often ask what attraction is Howick known for, and while the majestic waterfall takes center stage, the town acts as the primary northern gateway to the Midlands Meander. The route winds through quiet valleys that feel remarkably reminiscent of the English countryside in Derbyshire or the Yorkshire Dales, albeit with eucalyptus groves, aloes, and Zulu heritage woven into the landscape. Stepping beyond the falls brings you face to face with South Africa’s rich craft heritage, farm-fresh dairy producers, and historic milestones that shaped the modern nation.

The Origin Story of South Africa’s Premier Craft Route

The story of this region’s transformation into an artistic sanctuary began in 1985. A small group of local potters, weavers, and fine artists gathered at Caversham Mill to discuss a collective idea: opening their rural home studios to the public so visitors could watch artisans at work. That initial gathering birthed the Midlands Meander Association, turning quiet agricultural land into a destination for slow, intentional travel. You can read about the route’s history and current member listing on the Official Midlands Meander Website.

Today, the network extends across an 80-kilometre stretch of scenic roads between Pietermaritzburg and Mooi River. Over 150 distinct destinations fill five main driving loops, connecting charming villages including Howick, Curry’s Post, Dargle, Balgowan, and Nottingham Road. Rather than speeding along the N3 highway, taking the original R103 back road lets you pause at studios, timber workshops, and farm stalls at your own pace.

Starting Close: Immediate Crafts Near Howick Falls

You do not need to drive far to experience local craftsmanship. Right beside the main fall viewing deck, local artists fill the craft market with hand-carved wooden animal sculptures, intricate wirework, woven baskets, and beadwork. Browsing these stalls offers a direct way to support families from the surrounding uMngeni communities. Before taking the steep hike down into the valley, detailed on our gorge walk trail guide, spending half an hour talking with the carvers gives context to the art techniques passed down through generations.

If you wonder what are some fun activities to do near Howick Falls, the town center itself has several antique shops, secondhand bookstores, and art galleries within short walking distance. After reviewing our visitor safety guidelines near the cliff edges, taking a leisurely stroll up Falls Drive leads past Victorian stone buildings into quiet tea gardens where local bakers serve homemade scones with clotted cream.

The Nelson Mandela Capture Site: Living History on the R103

A ten-minute drive north along the R103 brings you to one of South Africa’s most significant historical landmarks. On 5 August 1962, armed police flagged down an Austin Westminster saloon car driven by Nelson Mandela, who was disguised as a chauffeur. This capture ended his 17 months of underground evasion and led directly to the Rivonia Trial and his 27-year imprisonment.

The site features a world-class visitor center with an immersive museum exhibition chronicling Mandela’s early life, political struggle, and underground work. Walking along the manicured “Long Walk to Freedom” path leads to the extraordinary monument designed by artist Marco Cianfanelli and architect Jeremy Rose. Composed of 50 vertical steel columns ranging between 6.5 and 9.5 metres in height, the sculpture appears as a random arrangement of metal poles until you reach a specific vantage point thirty metres away, where the columns suddenly align to reveal Mandela’s portrait against the countryside. For updated operating hours and admission details, visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. You can also arrange transport and guided visits via our Tickets & Tours page.

Piggly Wiggly and Highgate Wine Estate: Family Lifestyle & Tastings

Further along the R103 in the Lions River area, Piggly Wiggly serves as a popular social center for families, road-trippers, and food lovers. The hub brings together open-air eating areas, clothing boutiques, leather craft shops, and interactive art spaces. Children can paint ceramics at the Zulu-Lulu Art Bar or ride the miniature train around the gardens while adults shop for local jams, chutneys, and handmade soaps.

Adjacent to Piggly Wiggly rests Highgate Wine Estate, a pioneering family-run venture that produces 100% estate-grown wines in KwaZulu-Natal. Winemaking is relatively new to this region compared to the Cape, but Highgate’s high elevation and cooler atmospheric climate produce crisp whites and elegant reds. Visiting their refined tasting room for a flight paired with a charcuterie board overlooking the vines makes a delightful afternoon pause.

Artisan Cheese Trails: Swissland Cheese

Heading toward Balgowan, dairy lovers should follow the signs to Swissland Cheese. This specialized goat farm produces artisan cheeses made on-site using traditional methods free from preservatives. Guests can order wooden picnic boards packed with chèvre, aged tomme, and crottin, along with fresh sourdough and preserves, then find a grassy spot on the hill.

“Visiting Swissland on a clear autumn morning feels like stepping into a peaceful European alpine village, complete with curious goats grazing along the fence lines.”

Child-friendly feeding areas allow young visitors to interact with the goats while parents sip coffee and take in views across the Balgowan valley. It is a quiet country road that my friends and I always love returning to.

Pottery Studios and Regional Ceramics

Pottery forms the original foundation of the local craft movement. Rolling hills around Dargle Valley house independent ceramic studios where artists transform raw clay into stoneware, ovenware, and fine art pieces. In these studios, each artisan uses diferent glazes made from local plant ash and mineral deposits, resulting in organic earth tones that mirror the surrounding KZN landscape.

Visiting Dargle Valley Pottery gives you the chance to watch throwers working at modern and traditional wheels. Studios usually display finished bowls, platters, and mugs in open showrooms where you can chat directly with the creators about their techniques.

Groundcover Leatherwork and Settler Heritage in Curry’s Post

Curry’s Post was established in the 19th century as a staging post for ox-wagons traveling between Durban and the interior goldfields. Tucked among pine plantations and natural mistbelt forests, Groundcover Leather Company operates from a restored settler cottage. The brand is legendary across South Africa for durable handmade leather shoes, boots, jackets, and travel bags.

Behind the main store, a woodland garden hides a charming bronze sculpture of a shoemaker and mischievous elves working away at leather boots. Children adore discovering the statue hidden among mossy tree roots, making it an entertaining stop for families exploring Curry’s Post.

Forest Canopy Ziplining at Karkloof

For visitors seeking outdoor thrill after a quiet morning of gallery browsing, the Karkloof Canopy Tour sits just fifteen minutes north of Howick along Karkloof Road. Housed within the Karkloof Forest Reserve, this zipline adventure glides across ten steel zipline slides suspended high on twelve platform stations in the canopy of South Africa’s second-largest indigenous forest.

Professional guides lead small groups along steel ziplines stretching up to 200 metres long, soaring over forest ferns, deep valleys, and rushing mountain streams. Keep an eye out for rare Samango monkeys, crowned eagles, and colourful Knysna turacos flitting through the yellowwood trees.

Nottingham Road: Belgian Chocolates & Country Pubs

At the northern end of the primary Meander route lies Nottingham Road, a village famous for green pastures, trout fishing dams, and historic pubs. Chocolate Heaven at Nottingham Road Junction is an absolute must-visit for sweet lovers. Beyond buying handmade Belgian chocolates, visitors can participate in interactive dipping experiences, coating strawberries, fudge, and shortbread in molten dark or milk chocolate.

The village also houses historic hotels and microbreweries where you can enjoy local craft pale ales, stout, and cider beside wood-burning fireplaces on chilly winter afternoons when fog settles over the hills.

Summary of Top Attractions Near Howick Falls

Navigating KZN Mist and Country Driving

Self-driving remains the most convenient way to explore the region, giving you flexibility to stop whenever a hand-painted wooden studio sign piques your interest. Car rentals are readily available at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport or in Pietermaritzburg. If you prefer not to drive, guided day tours from Durban can easily be booked through our Tickets & Tours page, or you can plan self-drive routes using our logistics and directions guide.

One unique aspect of local weather is the sudden arrival of thick fog, known locally as the KZN mist. Atmospheric moisture sweeps inland off the Indian Ocean, blanketing high ridges in dense white cloud within minutes. While this creates a mystical atmosphere that makes countryside tea stops extra cozy, drivers should slow down, maintain extra braking distance, and keep headlights on low beam. Check our FAQs page for seasonal weather advice before setting out.

Embracing the Slow Pace of Country Travel

The true magic of KwaZulu-Natal’s country routes lies in abandoning rigid schedules. While Howick Falls provides the dramatic visual kickstart to your itinerary, the surrounding countryside rewards those who slow down. Spend your morning learning the traditional myth of the waterfall water serpent, described in our guide to the legend of the Inkanyamba, then dedicate your afternoon to chatting with studio artisans, tasting farmstead cheeses, and watching twilight settle over misty pine forests.

Whether you visit for a single day or spend a week unwinding in historic farm cottages, this region leaves a lasting impression of genuine warmth, creative passion, and timeless natural beauty.