Qolorha Forest

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TRAIL INFO

Closest Town: Stutterheim

Grading: MODERATE | Duration: From 1 to 3 hours

Location (Area/Province): Amatola and Eastern Cape

Configuration: Circular

Start Point: Qolorha Forest picnic site

TRAIL BASICS

Access: Public access

Beware of:

Facilities: Ablutions, picnic sites, camping site

Cell Reception: None

Route Flyover(s)

Premium and Curated Trails Only

Overview

All trails start and end at the Qolorha Forest picnic site with the routes traversing diverse forest and woodland.

On your bike

All trails start and end at the Qolorha Forest picnic site with the routes traversing a range of diverse forest and woodland environs. This is a summer rainfall area with snow in winter. Conditions may be wet for large parts of the year so fit a crud-catcher. The short 8 km return ride loops along management roads and sandy singletrack, passing through pristine forests where waterfalls cascade down to the dam. There is a 17 km circular route as well, which is more of a challenge. Follow a jeep track traversing a mix of indigenous forest, open grassland and plantations, with possible sightings of samango monkeys and the Cape parrot along the way. There are several water points on the circuit. Riders congregate here annually in May to take part in the Amatole Challenge.

Off your bike

Qolorha forest boasts indigenous high forest on both the south and north slopes of the Amatole Mountain range, resulting in a rich and diverse fauna and flora. The wonderful hiking trails through the amatole ranges are rated as some of South Africa’s most scenic. Superb fly-fishing is possible on the gubu Dam. Other possibilities include 4×4 trails, horse-riding, rock-climbing and kayaking.

CONTACT:

Route information: Isidenge State Forest

Telephone: 043 683 7344

GPS: 32°32’01.4604″ South / 027°20’53.1276″ East