We all know that spending time in nature is a balm for stress and, for me at least, nowhere is quite as tranquil and magical as a forest. One of my favourites is the Karkloof Forest, a patch of mist-belt loveliness about 20km north of Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Mistbelt forests are generally found on the cooler, southern-facing slopes of hillsides throughout the Midlands, and are a wonderland for bird-, tree and nature-lovers alike.
Our hike begins close to the Karkloof Canopy Tour office. The start of the trail is marked by an actual “green door”, which serves as your metaphoric portal into the forest world.
There are a handful of trails to choose from, all of which begin here and are clearly marked on aboard. As you walk, you’ll see signs indicating turn-off points for each loop. In ascending order of length and difficulty, they are: Caracal Trail, Woodcutter’s Trail, WaterfallWalk, Giant’s Ridge and Giant’s Top.
I’m with my family and we’re looking for something that caters to all fitness levels, so we settle on the woodcutter's Trail, a 2km climb and descent that should take about two hours.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t your typical hike because you’re not trying to cover a lot of distance. Slow and steady does it, especially if you’ve picked a wet day to walk…
The path makes its way up a crease between two hills. A stream trickles down and most of the trails zig-zag up and across the river all the way to the top of the hillside. Every now and then we pass a platform where zipliners stop before zooming off down the valley, whooping and shouting in excitement (or distress).
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August/September 2021 من go! - South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August/September 2021 من go! - South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Rolling out the big guns
If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.
TAKE A HIKE
The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop
Time out in Dullies
A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.
The island at the end of the earth
Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.
A day on the road
You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.
The wilder shore
The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...
A river runs through it
Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.
