OVERVIEW
The beautiful Lotheni Valley and the Lotheni Nature Reserve lie in the Southern Drakensberg Mountains, and a mountain bike trail has been established in the reserve along tarred road and singletrack.
On your bike
There is a steep downhill to a stream on this trail, so rather dismount if it is beyond your current skills level. The trail goes past the historical Gelib Tree site and returns along the tarred road.
The hiking trail, of which the MTB route forms part, is called the Gelib Tree Trail. The tree was planted as a memorial to soldiers killed in the Abyssinian campaign in the Second World War. On a warm day it’s essential to stop for a swim at the magnificent “Cool Pools”. Even in summer, always take warm clothing – the weather up in the mountains can change to freezing cold in just a few minutes.
Off the bike
The reserve offers hiking, fishing and natural rock pool swimming.
GPS: 29 27.107 South / 029 31.547 East