Closest Town: Newcastle
Grading: Intermediate to difficult
Duration: 2 - 4 Hours
Location (Area/Province): Berg, Bush & Battlefields, and KZN - Natal
Configuration: Stacked loop system
Start Point: Vulintaba Country Estate Main Entrance
Access: Through Vulintaba Country Estate Main Entrance - by appointment only at present.
Beware of: Trail runners and grumpy golfers
Facilities: Restaurant and toilets at the clubhouse and reception
Cell Reception: Intermittent.
Vulintaba Estate boasts an extensive 50km trail network offering a range of options to riders of all abilities. The routes are rated from Green (Easy) and Blue (Intermediate) to Black (Technical). The verdant Hidden Valley basin makes for wide trails with sweeping turns through gently sloping grassland, while the surrounding mountain slopes will test your skills and strength.
On your bike
The Green Route explores the valley below the golf course on wide trails along the stream’s edge, while the Blue Route is mostly contouring single-track. Commit to a steep switchback climb halfway up the escarpment before the route levels out to contour back to a stand of gum trees. This is where the Black Route splits off, climbing even higher, while the Blue Route descends on single-track and jeep track back to the centre.
The Black Trail continues along challenging single-track up to the old hiking path, which then joins up with Donkey’s Pass to take you down a level. From here, you will branch off onto a final 3km of serious downhill single-track, passing under a waterfall before returning to the centre.
Off the bike
Golfing of course, on a superb 9-hole course, but there are also hiking and trail running routes as well as horse riding options.
GPS: 27° 46.615’ South / 29° 46.740’East
