WalkingTrails
Ukhozi Trail
Length – 1km – from car-park return – 2.8km
Status – open
Aptly named after the resident Crowned Eagle pair that are frequented spotted in this area, the Ukhozi or ‘Eagle’ trail was officialy opened on the 31 August 2010. The trail winds its way through new and old-growth forests on the east and south-facing slopes of Giba Gorge, respectively. This contrast between these different stages of growth provides an interesting variety of tree species with both fast growing pioneer and dry woodland species dominating the northern portion of the trail and long-lived impressive deep-forest species evident toward the southern part of the trail. This contrast is also reflected in the variety of birds found in these different habitats with the open areas usually being more rewarding in terms of variety and visibility.
The trail passes through good examples of most of the key habitats in Giba, grassland, forest, cliff and river.
A lot of work has gone into the construction of this trail and every effort has been made to prevent future erosion events and avoiding sensitive areas such as drainage lines.
The trail can be accessed from the parking area in Longforgan Avenue: make your way down the sand road into the gorge from the hair-pin bend in St Helier Rd, walk on for approximately 500m and the sign is on your right. The trail traverses the forest for just under a 1km and then emerges into the wooded grassland toward the freeway side. From here one needs to make their way down to the road and back up to the start. If one starts and finishes at the car park the full length of this walk is approximately 2.8km.
Trail through grassland/woodland overlooking Giba Gorge.
One of the many cascades in Giba Stream.
Towering forests near Giba Stream.
Trail 2 – through Kirkman and McIntosh falls and stone age heritage site
Status – under construction – access by appointment only.
This trail winds its way down the Umhlatuzana Valley through Scarp Forest. Early on in the walk the trail splits into two, the one trail to the left takes you to McIntosh Falls pic while the right trail takes you via the heritage site to Kirkman Falls pic. Both of these waterfalls are truly remarkable, some of the best in the greater Durban area and are definitely worth a visit. Also of interest is the sandstone shelter which you pass on your way to Kirkman Falls. Archeological excavations here have found evidence for human inhabitance more than 100 000 years ago (Stone Age) – artifacts are lodged in the Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg.
This trail passes mostly through forest, riverine and cliff habitats where there is a good diversity of plants and birds to be seen.
View from the top of McIntosh falls into the forested valley beneath, N3 in distance.
Umhlatuzana River near Kirkman Falls
Kirkman Falls
Amenities
A car park in Longforgen Drive, St Helier for day visitors and school children is currently being planned for – this has already been cleared and leveled. Architecture drawings have been drafted for a store, toilets and office for the conservation staff and toilets and other amenities for day visitors. Once this is up and running, more formal trails, with schools groups etc, will be organised with this area likely to become Giba’s official ‘base’ from which all activities will fan out from.
