Just 13 km from Berea and the Durban CBD, the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is an extension of the D’Moss green lung in the south western suburb of Yellowwood Park. The reserve has become a refuge for the city’s mountain bikers as well as a rare species of Natal owl and migratory birds.
There is a 5 – 10 km circuit depending on whether you ride the technical bits. After a lap you will want to ride it again as there are quite a few variations that you can apply.
The start of the ride runs down from the parking lot and back to the entrance gate on an open jeep track. From here the ride climbs steadily for about 1.5 km. A sharp incline off the jeep track leads to a well worn singletrack that is as close to heaven as any MTB rider can get, with sharp rutted turns and a few roots and rocks to negotiate. The track drops off and winds through a river bed that must be crossed several times. The singletrack is quick and ends far too soon.
There are a few areas where riders may have to portage across the river. The singletrack ends in a river bed with a steep climb back out and around to the parking area. The track has a few wooden bridges, plus wooden hiking steps to negotiate. At the top of the climb you cross over a cement bridge which is fun to ride over but watch out as the bridge ends on a few steps that need to be tackled with caution.
GRADING:
Moderate
DURATION:
1-2 Hours
CONFIGURATION :
10km circuit
START POINT:
At the parking area
TERRAIN:
Jeep track, single-track, roots and rocks
MAP:
Contact them
CELL RECEPTION:
Good
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Gate fee payable.
Gate times: 06:00 to 18:00
FACILITIES:
Self-guided trail along a 400m concrete path for handicapped visitors.
BEWARE OF:
Please note that criminal elements have attacked cyclists riding the unfenced, publicly accessed extension of Stainbank, the D’Moss green lung so travel in packs here.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are a number of approaches to Yellowwood Park where the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is situated; the preferred route follows. From Durban take the N3 to Pietermaritzburg, then the N2 south towards the airport. The first offramp after the N3/N2 interchange is Edwin Swales/Queensburgh; take this and turn left into Edwin Swales. At the first set of traffic lights turn right into Wakesleigh Road, almost immediately left into Cliffview and, at the T-junction, left into Sarnia Road. Drive through Bellair village to the second traffic light and here turn right into Coedmore Road, passing the cement works and after crossing the low level bridge over the Mhlatuzana River, the road follows the boundary of the reserve to the gate which is on the right.
BEST TIME OF YEAR
All year round.
Contact Details
- Email: divesj@kznwildlife.com
- Phone: 031-469-2807
- Website: www.zulu.org.za
