Hiking Fixtures

Personal Emergency Contact Number

Please have your emergency contact number(s) under ICE (In Case of Emergency) in your cell phone and on a label/card of some sort attached to your daypack. Details should consist of your name, ID number, name of medical aid and membership number (your medical aid card should be with you too) and the name and number(s) of someone to contact. Emergency personnel will look for your ICE details. Local hospitals will not send out an ambulance or paramedics if your medical aid details are not available. Please carry these important details with you on each hike.

Most often changes are announced on Facebook.

Saturday Hikes

Please get to the starting point by 13h45 in order for the hike to begin on time. Some hikes start at different times.
For directions to the starting point, please PHONE the organiser between 12h00 and 12h45 on the day of the hike, don’t SMS.
Children are welcome but check suitability of hike with leader.
Please bring at least 1 litre of water, a snack for half time and a hat.

Sunday Hikes  (Full Day)

Always phone the hike leader beforehand to let him/her know to expect you on the hike.
Please try to get to the meeting places at least 10 minutes earlier to help with arranging lifts.
Bring the correct amount of money as change may not be available.
It is advisable to bring at least 2 litres of water, mid-morning snack, lunch and a hat.
Meeting Place  : Union Main Centre, Old Main Road,  Pinetown to depart at 08h00.  If there is a change to the meeting time or venue this will be noted in the hiking schedule below. This is not used that often.
If it is raining, please check with the hike leader before setting out for the meeting place.
NB  :   if you need a lift from the meeting place,  contact the hike leader or one of the hike organisers to arrange

Wednesday Morning Hikes: Organised by Coleen Seath

Please check details of the Wednesday Hikes with Colin Turner on 031 708 3517 or Coleen Seath on 031 202 2279 / 082 735 7659 (who will co-ordinate with leaders) You can also find out about the Wednesday hikes on the our Facebook page posted there a few days before.

 

 

Saturday HikesSunday Hikes

Sat 2 Apr 2022 Iphiti Nature Reserve
Ann Olds - 083 666 5630 | Grade 1 | 6km
Park at Iphithi Nature Reserve, Edward Dr. Gillitts. From M13 exit 24, right over Everton Bridge, 1st left, right into Old Station Rd, 2nd left into Edward. Hike a few loops through this reclaimed wetland, step it out in neighboring suburbs and return to reserve for drinks - BYO. R20 donation to the conservancy.

Sun 3 Apr 2022 Honey Trails
Philip Collyer - 082 417 0204 | Grade 3 | 15km
Meet at 13:45 at Honey Trails (off Old Main Road, Inchanga/Drummond – opposite Irene Street. Monteseel). Hike at a privately owned nature reserve on Honey Hill. Honey Trails was developed for the general public to enjoy this incredibly beautiful natural area. Expansive views, meandering paths through grasslands and forests down into the valley and back up some steep hills. Entrance fee is R20. Booking via whatsapp.

Sat 9 Apr 2022 Pigeon Valley
Tina Regnard - 083 289 6276 | Grade 2 | 7km
Park and meet across the road from Stella Sports Club (175 Helen Joseph Rd) by 13:45. Street walking to Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve. Explore the indigenous gem in suburbia, bristling with birdlife. Return via Phansi Museum. A couple of steep hills. Drinks at Stella Sports Club afterwards. Car guard to be tipped please.

Sun 10 Apr 2022 Paradise Valley Extended
Peter McElwee - 078 611 0752 | Grade 2 | 10km
Meet at 7:45 at Paradise Valley nature Reserve, 10 Oxford Road, Pinetown, to start hiking at 8:00. Easy going hike through paradise Valley, along the Umbilo River and surrounding area. Highlights include: Umbilo Falls and the historic Umbilo waterworks. Entrance Fee R17.

Sat 16 Apr 2022 Easter Sunday - no planned hike

Sun 17 Apr 2022 Parks of Glenwood
Philip Collyer - 082 417 0204 | Grade 2 | 13km
Easter Sunday Meet at 7am inside the Stella Sports Club parking. Explore the green areas of the Berea: Bulwer, Merryick Bennet, Pigeon Valley and Umbilo Park and Freedom Park.

Sat 23 Apr 2022 Hill and Dale
Jenny Rooks - 084 952 0622 | Grade 3 | 9km
Meet 13:15 for a 13:30 start. Take Hammarsdale off ramp and turn left towards Hammarsdale on the M385. After approximately 1km take the first road on the right – D657. (It is also sign posted Animal Anti Cruelty League). We will meet a short way down on the D657. Hike through cane fields and grassland. Views far and wide.

Sun 24 Apr 2022 Railway Hike Part Two
Jenny Rooks - 084 952 0622 | Grade 2 | 15km
Meet at Hillcrest Station to start hiking by 08:00. Walk along the path next to the railway line from Hillcrest up to Botha’s Hill. Meander back along country roads. Booking by whatsapp.

Sat 30 Apr 2022 Pot and Kettle
Alan Blundell - 072 127 3889 | Grade 2 | 7km
Park at Pot and Kettle (136 Old Main Road, Bothas Hill) 13:45 for a 14:00 start.

Sun 1 May 2022 Monteseel
Philip Collyer - 082 417 0204 | Grade 3, vertigo | 17km
Meet at 08:00 at Drum and Bell (10 Old Main Road, Drummond). Down into the Valley of a 1000 hills and back. Some cliff edges and boulder hopping; fitness required. Drinks afterwards at Drum and Bell. Donation of R20 to the Monteseel Conservancy.

Sat 7 May 2022 NU Driving Range
Sally Moon - 078 460 4250 | Grade 3 | 7km
Meet at NU Driving Range, Hillcrest 13:45. Left off M13, Exit 31 (opp. Plantations Estate). Park away from entrance (for golfers), donation R20 per car. Hike over grassland down to St Hillier Rd, and Giba Conservancy. Hear the stream bubbling and enjoy some forest trails before the grassy ascent up a headland towards N3. Climb up to the top for views of Macintosh Falls and to the west. Some refreshment available at NU Range afterwards.

Sun 8 May 2022 Giba from Shongweni
Alan Blundell - 072 127 3889 | Grade 4 | 15km
Meet 08:00 at the Durban Shongweni Club (Cnr Cliffdale & Kassier Rd). From Shongweni Club hike to Clifton Tower and down into Giba Gorge. Giba hiking fee R30pp Parking fee is R10 if not staying for drinks at the club afterwards. Booking preferably by WhatsApp.

Sat 14 May 2022 Springside Nature Reserve
Ismail Vahed - 083 759 9199 | Grade 2 | 6km
Note: Early start time of 13.00. From Old Main Rd in Hillcrest, right into Short Rd (robot at Shell Garage), right at T-junction into Springside Rd, reserve in the dip on the left. Meet at 12:45. Hike several loops along well maintained paths and bridges. A favourite reserve with Birders and wild flower enthusiasts. Contact Gil to book for this hike – 0837599199.

Sun 15 May 2022 Hilton - Rotanda/Winterskloof Ramble
Anna Kapp - 071 427 7139 | Grade 3 | 18km
Meet at 08:00 at the Rotunda Farm Stall, Cedara Road, Hilton. (N3 exit 96 Cedara; at the 3 way stop, turn leftand then turn into Rotunda Farm Stall parking area. There could be a car guard. Walk through lovely plantations with beautiful vistas of mountains in the distance and also along residential areas. A few ups and downs and back through plantations to Rotunda Farm Stall. Bring sufficient hydration and snacks. Booking via whatsapp.

Sat 21 May 2022 Westville Eco-trail
Ann Olds - 083 666 5630 | Grade 2 | 6km
Park at Westville Country Club, St James Avenue. Meet at 13:45 for 14:00 start. R20 towards the conservancy. Hike along biking trails, through a tunnel, along river banks and across some grassland. Drinks afterwards at the squash courts.

Sun 22 May 2022 Bluff Nature Reserve, Treasure Beach
Abdullah Dada - 084 478 6779 | Grade 3 | 15km
Meet 08.00 at Bluff NR in Tara Rd (near Quality Str/ Highbury Rd intersection). Hike around Bluff NR (lesser known top section and bottom section with 2 bird hides over the pan), walk Bluff streets to Treasure Beach, explore rock pools towards Brighton Beach, climb along a bushy path up the rounded cliff tha t gives the Bluff its name and zigzag along streets back to the Bluff NR bottom section. ±R50 entrance fee.

Sat 28 May 2022 Beachfront
Biff Maggs - 082 609 9684 | Grade 2
Park at the Casino or outside Pirates (please pay carguard). Meet on Promenade in front of Sun Coast Wimpy at 13:45 to start at 14:00. Drinks at Tiger Milk afterwards.

Sun 29 May 2022 Valley of 1000 Hills
Stella Wells - 078 319 8979 | Grade 4 | 14kms
Meeting place to be communicated closer to the time. A shorter than normal route to avoid ongoing construction. Start by going down into the valley along the river and back with a steep scramble out. Bookings via whatsapp.

Sat 4 Jun 2022 Umdloti Coastal
Ismail Vahed - 083 759 9199 | Grade 2 | 10kms
Meet at the second beach parking at 13:30 to start hiking at 13:45. Drive down to the bottom round-a-bout (Bush Tavern, garage, little shopping centre is on your right). The sea is in front of you. Turn right along the beach road and park in the second parking area. Whatsapp bookings only.

Sun 5 Jun 2022 KKNR : Southern Loop
Peter McElwee - 078 611 0752 | Grade 3 | 12km
Meet at 7:45 at KKNR picnic site (152 Kloof Falls Road) to start hiking at 8:00. A strenuous but very scenic hike that takes in the southern side of Kranzkloof nature reserve. Great views of the immense kloof falls and of the gorge. Due to limited parking, ride sharing is encouraged. Entrance fee : R50 or valid Rhino card. Booking via whatsapp

Sat 11 Jun 2022 Palmiet Nature Reserve
Linda Smith - 083 353 8319 | Grade 3, vertigo | caution.
Park at Palmiet Nature Reserve, bottom of Old New Germany Road, Westville. R30 donation towards conservancy. Car guard. Meet at 13:45 for a 14:00 start. Some river crossings, boulder hopping and uphill path to grassland. Drinks at Waxy O’Connors afterwards.

Sun 12 Jun 2022 Summerveld – Bux Farm
Jon Stevens - 082 459 1522 | Grade 3 | 15km
Meet at Summerveld Lodge to start hiking at 08:00. A morning of meandering up and down hills, around the quarry, across grasslands and past nurseries. Views towards Hammarsdale. Drinks at the lodge. Booking via whatsapp

Sat 18 Jun 2022 Roosfontein
Jon Stevens - 082 459 1522 | Grade 3 | 7kms
Park at entrance to Westville Prison, off Spine Road, at 13:45 to start hike at 14:00. A good hike over grasslands, with views of the Umbilo River and Queesnburgh.

Sun 19 Jun 2022 Best of Palmiet
Linda Smith - 083 353 8319 | Grade 3 | 9km
Meet at 8:00. A walk through to the top of this beautiful reserve with spectacular cliffs, river, indigenous bush and grassland. Hiking pole recommended to assist with various river crossings. The reserve and river is named after the riverine plant Prionium serratum (Palmiet) which was formerly abundant in the area. Optional drinks/ lunch afterwards at Waxy O' Connors. R30 donation to reserve.

Sat 25 Jun 2022 Honey Trails: Monteseel
Abdullah Dada - 084 478 6779 | Grade 3 | 5/10km
Meet at Honey Trails on Old Main Road, Monteseel at 13:30. Look for big Honey Trails sign on the left of Old Main Road before the Monteseel turn on the right. Cost R20. Enjoy expansive views on trails through grassland and bush – perhaps a shorter option, if needed. BYO sundowners in grounds afterwards.

Sun 26 Jun 2022 Clansthal : New Hike
Shirley & Barry Moore - 082 717 6991 | | 14km
A new hike. Details to follow