Panorama Route town close to God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes.
- Do Africa Silks silk farm tour
- Do Big Swing gorge swing
- Do Jock of the Bushveld Trail
- See Berlin Falls
- See Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondavels
Pilgrim's Rest
A preserved gold-rush village that is now a living museum.
History
Alec 'Wheelbarrow' Patterson and then William Trafford found alluvial gold in Pilgrim's Creek in 1873, and the area was proclaimed a goldfield on 22 September 1873. Transvaal Gold Mining Estates (TGME) was formed in 1895 and the Belvedere hydro-electric station made the town one of the first electrified in southern Africa (1911). A Boer emergency mint struck Veldpond coins here in 1902. Mining stopped in 1971-72, the village was sold to the provincial government in 1974 and declared a national monument in 1986.
Getting there
On the R533 between Graskop (about 15-23 km east) and Mashishing/Lydenburg via Robber's Pass and Ohrigstad; Sabie is reached via Graskop or the R532/R533. There is no ATM in the village, so bring cash.
Weather & climate
Summer-rainfall valley at roughly 1,250 m with warm wet summers, frequent mist and cool to cold, dry winters.
Things to do
- Diggings Museum and gold panningReconstructed alluvial gold diggings in Pilgrim's Creek with panning demonstrations and hands-on panning.
- Ghost TourEvening guided ghost walk through the village (about 2.5 hours), booked through Trips SA.
- Prospector's Hiking TrailFive-day, 62.5 km hiking trail starting near Pilgrim's Rest.
- Village TourGuided historical walking tour of Uptown and Downtown.
Things to see
- Alanglade House MuseumMine manager's mansion built in 1915 by TGME, furnished in early-1900s style; guided tours only.
- Dredzen Shop & House MuseumRecreated general dealer's shop of 1930-50 with the attached family home.
- Historic CemeteryGold-rush graves, including the famous robber's grave facing a different direction.
- House MuseumLate-Victorian house built in 1913, furnished as an upper-middle-class home of the time.
- Joubert BridgeStone bridge over the Blyde River built in 1896/7.
- Pilgrim's Rest living museumRestored gold-rush buildings and gold panning.
- Printing MuseumHand-printing equipment once used for the local newspapers.
- Robber's PassScenic pass on the R533 towards Ohrigstad, named after stagecoach robberies in the gold-rush era.
- St Mary's Anglican ChurchThe oldest church building still standing in the village (1884), with an old organ.
- Thelwall's Transformation MuseumDowntown museum with an exhibit on the goldfields and the Sekhukhune wars.
- War Memorial and Delville Wood oakMemorial to local men lost in both world wars, beside an oak grown from a Delville Wood acorn.
Close by Pilgrim's Rest
More to do and see in towns a short drive awayA forestry town surrounded by waterfalls including Mac Mac, Lone Creek and Bridal Veil.
- Do Fanie Botha Hiking Trail
- Do Fly-fishing on the Sabie River
- Do Forest Falls
- Do Loerie Trail
- Do Mac Mac Pools
Businesses in Pilgrim's Rest
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Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge
Four-star self-catering resort on a 2,400 ha game farm on Robber's Pass, with a restaurant, pizzeria, spa and MTB trail…
Resorts
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Friends of the Museum Shop
Shop in the Information Centre selling historical books and pamphlets on Pilgrim's Rest.
Arts & Crafts
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Methodist Church Pilgrim's Rest
Neo-Gothic church built in 1911 and still in use; Sunday service 10:30.
Places of Worship
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Mona Cottage
Victorian-style three-bedroom self-catering cottage in Uptown that sleeps six.
Self-Catering
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Mount Sheba Rainforest Hotel & Resort
Hotel and self-catering resort in indigenous forest in the mountains above Pilgrim's Rest, with restaurants, bars and a…
Hotels
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Pilgrim's Pantry
Licensed family restaurant and coffee shop in Downtown known for pancakes, waffles and home-made pies; open daily for b…
Coffee Shops
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Pilgrim's Rest Golf Course
Nine-hole golf course in the village.
Golf Courses
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Pilgrim's Rest Information Centre
Visitor centre selling museum, Diggings and Alanglade tickets, with a geology and gold-mining display.
Tour Operators
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Pilgrims Rest Primary School
Public primary school in New Town.
Schools
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
SAPS Pilgrim's Rest
Police station housed in a 1902 dolomite building in Uptown, still in use.
Police & Emergency
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Scott's Cafe & Woodsluck Distillery
Café, restaurant and bar in Uptown with an on-site gin distillery and craft beer.
Breweries & Distilleries
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
The Leather Shop
Downtown shop selling leather goods, clothing and some hardware.
Clothing & Fashion
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
The Vine Restaurant & Johnny's Pub
Family-run restaurant in a 1910 trading store serving South African dishes such as bobotie, potjiekos and trout, with a…
Restaurants
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Yizo Yizo Tavern
Traditional tavern in the Newtown section of Pilgrim's Rest.
Pubs & Bars
Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga
Property in Pilgrim's Rest
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