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1000 Hills Tourism
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Home » 2022 » Directory » Lazy Sundays spent amongst the hills

Lazy Sundays spent amongst the hills

Published by Illa Thompson On 19 January, 2022

“Self Care” is one of the January buzz-words, encouraging busy people to find mindful balance – working hard but remembering to relax and be gentle too, to minimise stress and avoid burn out.

We have some suggestions for relaxing weekends to recharge, regroup and refocus; down time spent with loved ones, or on your own, enjoying the simpler things.   

Coffee and Chill

What could be more of a quintessential relaxing weekend, then enjoying a good coffee with the weekend papers; or a good book, amongst some of the most beautiful countryside in the province?

Views and roses - Stonehouse Cafe and Garden Shop offers the best of both..
Views and roses – Stonehouse Cafe and Garden Shop offers the best of both..

1000 Hills boasts some quaint coffee shops – many outdoors and with a spectacular view; and many set in garden or nursery settings. Among them are Mushroom Farm, Kloof and Highway SPCA, Hillcrest Aids Centre, PheZulu, 1000 Hills Village, Stone House, Talloula, Fig Tree Farm and Sunset Valley.

Ubuntu Ground Coffee at Hillcrest Aids Centre, waitress Cebile Malevu serves an early morning pick me up.
Ubuntu Ground Coffee at Hillcrest Aids Centre, waitress Cebile Malevu serves an early morning pick me up.

And of course there is Shongweni Market which, every Saturday, offers a myriad light meal and refreshment options – to a live music soundtrack – overlooking the magnificent Kirk / Wekeweke Falls.

Outdoor Activities.

The 1000 Hills has many walking and hiking options – either more formally through one of the nature reserves or trails. One can choose from Honey Trails which offers hiking, running and cycling opportunities to experience the incredible natural beauty of ‘Honey Hill’; Springside Nature Reserve in Hillcrest boasts 21ha of forest, grassland and wetland, or Krantzkloof Nature Reserve which conserves 668ha of the Molweni and Nkutu River gorges.

Brian Berlein from Honey Trails shows a route map of his picturesque property.
Brian Berlein from Honey Trails shows a route map of his picturesque property.

Lower Molweni in 1000 Hills is a hikers’, birders’ and nature lovers’ paradise. Durban Green Corridors and their stakeholder partners have created a network of community-developed nature trails through the cliffs and forests of the area. Among them is the Mqeku Picnic Site is 20 minutes from Hillcrest in the heart of the Valley of 1000 Hills which offers fabulous bird life, river tubing;  sliding on a natural rock slide, 4×4 trails; nature hikes and pretty picnic and braai sites.

A range of outdoor family-friendly, Covid compliant activities can be found at the NU driving range complex. Open to golfing enthusiasts of all levels, as the outdoor complex boasts a 300m long driving range, a PB golf shop, putt-putt and adventure golf. They are geared for experienced serious golfers as well as for the recreational golfer, and for families.

Of special interest is an all weather simulated games and sports arena, which caters for all skills levels, ages and interests with various sporting code options. There is also a race simulator and virtual shooting range.

Dam Fun

Msinsi Inanda Dam and Resort is 24 km from Hillcrest. One can day trip or stay overnight.. The dam provides a range of water sport activities on the 1, 469 hectares of water surface ranging from boating, canoeing, jet skiing, yachting and fishing. There are four slipways from which boat users could launch their craft onto the dam.

Inanda Dam is typically the second overnight stop for the Duzi canoe marathon; it has been a venue for various musical events and the annual Inanda Dam Bass Classic.

Steaming Ahead

The Umgeni Steam Railway runs trains over the month-end weekends and special days The next ones are on 29 and 30 January 8.30 and 12.30 (steam); 12 February 12.30 (diesel); 13 February 8.30 and 12.30 (diesel); 26 and 27 February 8.30 and 12.30 (diesel)

Full steam ahead - vintage steam loco Wesley leading passengers through the 1000 Hills. Pic Graham Gillett.
Full steam ahead – vintage steam loco Wesley leading passengers through the 1000 Hills. Pic Graham Gillett.

The journey departs from (and returns to) Stokers Arms in at Kloof Railway Station. The train follows the Old Main Line, meandering along the Valley of 1000 Hills, through one of the oldest operating tunnels in South Africa to Inchanga.

At Inchanga, passengers can wander through the craft market and food garden, visit the model railway and stroll up the little hill to the Railway Museum in the old Station Master’s House.

Magical Gardens

Ammazulu Gardens and Sculpture Precinct is a magical experience featuring enormous sculptures hidden in a portion of the 20 acre primeval forest. Local, African and international artists from diverse traditions have created the works using different media.  At the centre of the garden is an alfresco café – the Ping Pong Pagoda Café and behind the café are five airy hanger sized studios with artists at work and art retail options.

Good to Know:

For accommodation options, visit:

www.stayin1000hills.co.za

https://www.1000hillstourism.co.za/listingcategory/where-to-stay/

Honey Trails

https://honeytrails.co.za/

Tel 084 4411 141

NU Driving range

Exit 31, M13

Plantations offramp

Hillcrest

nudrivingrange@gmal.com

Simulated sports

www.simulatedsports.co.za

tel 076 653 9930

Springside Nature reserve

93 Springside Road, Hillcrest

Krantzkloof Nature Reserve

152 Kloof Falls Rd

Kranskloof, Kloof

Whatsapp: 079 702 6452

Picnic sites are not open

Lower Molweni Hikes

Tel: 031 322 6026 / / 078 726 4890

frontdesk@greencorridors.africa

Mqeku Picnic Site

Info and map: https://durbangreencorridor.co.za/mqeku-adventures

The Pot and Kettle

Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch

Live music on Sundays

8.30 until 4pm

Tel: 031 777 1312

Umgeni Steam Railway

Departs from and returns to Kloof Station:

Booking is essential: http://umgenisteamrailway.com/

Ammazulu Gardens and Sculpture Precinct / 88 Kloof Falls Rd, Kloof. 

For more info: https://www.ammazulupalace.com/gardens-and-sculpture.php#mapSection

The Nair family enjoy Sunday brunch at PheZulu.
The Nair family enjoy Sunday brunch at PheZulu.
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Categories: Directory Tags: 1000 Hills, Eating, Nature, We Love, What To Do
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So Much to Explore

The Valley of a 1000 Hills is one of the largest tourism areas in Durban with so much to experience. To make the most of your visit, treat yourself and stay a few nights.
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The 1000 Hills CTO (community tourism organisation) seeks to promote tourism to all regions within the Valley of a 1000 Hills area just west of Durban. Click here for more information about us.

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Lazy Sundays spent amongst the hills