Mac Mac Ultra Trail along the Panorama Route
- ilanda Guest House
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
The 2025 edition of the Mac Mac Ultra between Sabie, Graskop and Pilgrims takes place between the 2nd July and 6th July 2025.
Mac Mac Ultra along the Panorama Route is the premier Mpumalanga ultra trail race and showcases lovely Panorama Route landscapes. The route mainly follows the Loerie Trail, Fanie Botha Trail and Prospector’s Trail in various combinations.
Entrance fees start at R750 for the 25km race, up to R8’800 for the 200 miler.
The Mac Mac Ultra 2025 is registered as a UTMB® INDEX RACE and ITAR points are awarded from the 46km race upwards.
Mac Mac Ultra Available Race Distances
This 2025 “Jock Edition” has 5 distances to choose from: 25km, 46km, 50 miles, 100 miles and 200 miles. The 200-mile version features a tasty, 15000m of ascent to be beaten within a 90-hour cut-off.
25km MACatini
The 25km MACatini starts in Merry Pebbles, a well known local resort on the banks of the Sabie river. The route starts with 5km of single tracks and jeep track up to Ceylon Hut. From Ceylon Hut, the route follows the Loerie Hiking Trail up to Bridal Veil waterfalls and Glynis Falls waterfall, then returns to Ceylon hut. A final climb, then back down to Merry Pebbles in Sabie following a mountain bike track.
46km Ultra Trail
This 46km course follows the 25km MACatini until half way, splitting close to the top of Bridal Veil Falls. From here the single tracks and plantation jeep tracks lead to you through pine plantation up to Stables Hut. From Stables Hut you’ll head on to the lovely Hartebeesvlakte plateau, an important water reserve for the region and the source of the Blyde River amongst others. You’ll often see Wildebeest, Zebras, Hartebeest and the occasional Eland. Once under the shadow of Mount Anderson, the highest mountain around Graskop and Sabie, you’ll head into the magic indigenous forest of Maritzbos. A slippery descent awaits you until Maritzbos hut. From Maritzbos it's relatively easy going to Ceylon hut, before a final climb and descent to Merry Pebbles Resort.
50 Mile Ultra Trail
The Mac Mac 50 Mile will start in Graskop at the Gorge Lift. The trail follows the Fanie Botha Trail, through plantations, down into the Mac Mac River Gorge and back up to Mac Mac Pools. Continuing on the Fanie Botha Trail, you’ll head up the mountain through more pine plantations and patches of mountain veld until Mac Mac hut. This lovely section from Mac Mac follows the ridge up to Mount Moody with spectacular views, then back down to Stables Hut.
From Stables the course takes you into the heart of the Hartebeesvlakte, off the usual Fanie Botha Trail, and promises spectacular views of this area, and close to the summit of Mount Anderson. This section passes private property off bounds in normal times and makes this race very attractive to discover new landscapes. The 100 miles and 200 miles also pass this section.
After Mount Anderson you’ll head into the Maritzbos descent, then Ceylon Hut and back to Merry Pebbles.
The 100-mile ultra trail
The Mac Mac 100-mile starts in Pilgrim’s Rest a follows in part the Prospector’s Hiking Trail before joining the Fanie Botha Trail, then following the same trail as the 50-mile course. The course end in Sabie at the Merry Pebbles Resort.
The start is at the Vine, a lovely restaurant in down town Pilgrim’s Rest. You’ll have a neutral zone run with family and friends through town before the start proper. The first section will take you to Mount Sheba’s indigenous forests through plantations roads.
From Mount Sheba you’ll climb up to high mountain grassland and traverse the beautiful, rarely visited Morgenzon Nature Reserve until the Morgenzon Plantation Offices.
From here the course does a circular section through plantation and indigenous forests, past Clewer Falls and Robbers Pass. Then back to Mount Sheba Hotel and Resort but via a different route through the plantation, in time for sunset for most runners.
From Mount Sheba, you’ll head to Mac Mac Hut, then follow sections of the Fanie Botha Trail described in the 50-mile section above.
200-mile ultra trail
The 200-mile course is an out and back, following the 100-mile course. The first leg is largely unsupported, with a single aid station. For the return, the same support as the 100-mile race is available.
Minimum requirements
All the races have a minimum requirement. The 25km requires having completed a trail-running event of distances greater than 15km or participated & finished a traditional city half-marathon (21km). For the longer distances, more stringent criteria apply, please consult the event Race Rules.
Mac Mac Ultra Training Camp
Race organisers offer a training camp between 26 and 29 April 2025, including recce of the racing route, information sessions and a night run. The information sessions cover trail gear, navigation for trail runners, training plans, nutrition tips, strength and mobility cross-training.
This training camp coincides with the Sabie Forest Festival.
Disclaimer
We are not affiliated to Mac Mac Ultra but love the escarpment and enjoy trails and ultra running. This information is meant for general information, and even tough we have made reasonable effort to ensure correctness, please double-check everything with the official Mac Mac Ultra Trail race information.