Just 25 minutes west of Durban lies a landscape that feels a world away from the city — the lovely Valley of a 1000 Hills. This suburb of Durban is a paradise for nature lovers, offering a network of hiking and walking trails that wind through rolling hills, lush grasslands, indigenous forests, and authentic Zulu rural villages. If you’re seeking a gentle stroll with panoramic views or a more challenging hike through rugged terrain, the Valley of a 1000 Hills has something for every fitness level and interest.
Why the Valley of a 1000 Hills is Perfect For Hiking
Known for its rich cultural heritage and spectacular vistas, the Valley of a 1000 Hills is more than just a hiking destination — it’s an immersive experience where you can encounter possible wildlife, meet local communities, and savour fresh air and open space.
- Just 25 minutes west of Durban,
- A plethora of trail options and experience levels,
- Choose guided or unguided trails,
- Lots of options for nearby coffee shops and stores for the post-trail recovery,
- Oodles of enthusiastic walkers and hikers to give you advice,
- An opportunity to get your steps in while embracing nature!
Scenic Walking Trails You Can Try
There are a number of different options for walkers and hikers in the Valley of a 1000 Hills, so here is our roundup of the some of the 7 currently established trails.
1. Krantzkloof Nature Reserve
Krantzkloof Nature Reserve has wonderful trails open every day of the year with an online map available for your devices which you can access from the picnic site. Carved by the Molweni and Nkutu rivers, the reserve is a showcase of dramatic cliffs (the “krantz” in its name), deep gorges, and lush indigenous forest.
The reserve boasts a network of well-marked trails catering to all levels of fitness. For a gentler experience, the various walking paths along the Molweni River are relatively flat and wind their way through the forest canopy, offering a peaceful stroll. If you’re seeking more of a challenge, the trails that descend into the gorge are steep and rugged, requiring a good level of fitness and sure footing. You can find routes that range from a short 30-minute meander to a more demanding two to three-hour hike, so be sure to check a map at the entrance to plan your route accordingly. Some of the most popular trails lead to spectacular viewpoints or down to the river itself.
The abundance of flora and fauna in Krantzkloof is what truly sets it apart. The forest is home to a diverse array of animal life and if you are patient and quiet, you might be lucky enough to spot a Common Duiker, or perhaps even a Bushbuck darting through the undergrowth. Keep an eye out for Rock Hyraxes (dassies) basking on sunny rocks and the playful Vervet Monkeys in the trees.
The reserve is also a birder’s paradise, with a checklist of over 200 bird species. You’ll likely see a variety of sunbirds and robins, and if you are very fortunate, you might catch a glimpse of the rare and spectacular Narina Trogon or the loud call of the African Fish Eagle soaring overhead.
The forest itself is a magnificent plethora of trees, including towering Natal Figs, the distinctive Red Ivory with its smooth, grey bark, and the graceful Yellowwood trees that stand sentinel over the paths.
2. iSithumba Adventure Camp
iSithumba Adventure Camp is situated in a small village in the heart of the spectacular Valley of 1000 hills. At this multi-purpose river-facing property you can immerse yourself in an authentic Zulu experience.
Local tour operator, iSithumba Travels, also offer a range of outdoor culture and adventure activities which are perfect for team building exercises and group outings. Activities include canoeing, rafting, guided nature hikes, abseiling, rock climbing, 4×4 trails, guided cycle rides, guided horseback rides, and hikes through unspoiled terrain and the spectacular Mamba Gorge.
iSithumba It includes a large meeting room, dining room, breakaway rooms, outdoor areas, space for camping, and catered (specialising in Zulu-style cuisine that uses locally sourced ingredients) residential rondavels.
3. Mqeku Picnic Site
A magical unexplored playground only 20 minutes from Hillcrest, Mqeku Picnic Site
offers fabulous birding opportunities (including sightings of the rare African Finfoot); river
tubing or “bum-sliding” on a natural rock slide, MTB rides, 4×4 trails; nature hikes, local
cultural walks and picturesque picnic and braai sites, with a toilet and water – all in a
pristine indigenous vegetation.
For those who want to make a full weekend of it, there are fully serviced popup camping options too. River tubes, helmets and lifejackets can be hired from Green Corridors.
4. Overock and Lower Molweni
Just a short hop down into the valley from the Hillcrest area is the magnificent Lower Molweni, a hiker’s, birder’s and nature lover’s paradise. A community developed network of nature trails takes hikers through the spectacular rugged cliffs, waterfalls and forests of the area. Higher up the valley in Overock, explore a network of adrenalin pumping walkways along the cliff faces where tourists can be at one with nature and learn more about Rastafarian culture.
A Quick Word!
The Valley of a 1000 Hills is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Durban that it makes more sense to extend your stay over a few nights. Check out our accommodation directory for a list of great places to stay. For more information on packages on offer, chat to one of our amazing tour operators.
5. Springside Nature Reserve
For a more gentle, yet equally rewarding hiking experience in the Valley of a 1000 Hills, look no further than Springside Nature Reserve. Nestled right in the heart of Hillcrest it’s a perfect spot for families, casual walkers, and keen birders.
The walks at Springside are notably easier than the more rugged gorge trails of Krantzkloof, making them suitable for all fitness levels. The reserve has a network of well-maintained and clearly marked trails, including the River, Tanglewood, and Protea trails, which range from short strolls to slightly longer loops. You can enjoy a peaceful meander along the stream, or take a gentle incline up a forested path, all without the strenuous climbs of more challenging reserves. It is a place to slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and simply enjoy being in nature.
Despite its size, Springside is teeming with life. While you won’t find large game, the reserve is home to several small mammal species, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a Bushbuck or a Common Duiker in the dense undergrowth.
The birdlife, however, is the real star of the show. With over 170 species recorded, the reserve is a paradise for ‘twitchers’. Keep your binoculars ready for sightings of the vibrant Greater Double-collared Sunbird or the secretive Buff-spotted Flufftail. A visit might even be rewarded with a fly-by from a visiting Crowned Eagle.
The diverse habitats of grassland, wetland, and scarp forest are reflected in the plant life as well, with graceful Yellowwood trees and Natal Figs providing a lush canopy, and the grassland areas bursting with indigenous wildflowers after the spring rains.
6. Infinite Adventures
Infinite Adventures is situated in Botha’s Hill has a free parkrun every Saturday at 8am. They also offer team-building and camps aimed primarily at schools. These include activities like abseiling, adventure races, archery, hiking, obstacle course, rock climbing, zipline, night hikes and orienteering.
Catering for all ages and abilities with our wide variety of different fun and exciting activities there’s bound to be something to keep everyone entertained.
In Closing
There are many walking and hiking trails dotted around the best destination in Durban, the Valley of a 1000 Hills, enough to keep you and the whole family soaking in all that the great outdoors!