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
Access: Public access
Beware of:
Facilities: Ablutions, picnic sites, camping site
Cell Reception: None
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
