Ventures by Sweetdale offers exciting mountain bike, running and walking trails up to 10km in a beautiful lush coastal bush setting as well as professional leadership training and fun team building activities based on day visits for groups up to 60 guests. Dogs on leashes are welcome. However, no picnics or braais are permitted as this land is strictly for exercise only. Day permits can be purchased at The Packshed’s Farmstall, contact them for customised group packages.

The beautiful Port Edward-based coffee estate, the southernmost coffee plantation in the world, is also the home of some incredible mountain biking trails. For the little ones, there is the 400m Chocochino Route around the coffee shop; then there’s the 2.5km Espresso Route through the Beaver Creek coffee fields; as well as the advanced 8.5km Stoney Creek Route through Beaver Creek and surrounding farms. 

For something really different, the KZN South Coast has the ancient heritage site – the KwaXolo Caves – home to centuries-old San rock art and some of the most incredible views. Earlier this year, the KwaXolo Caves Adventures was established, giving visitors a harnessed, secure, guided hiking route directly to the caves. Hikers enjoy views of the waterfall and gorge, with a picnic spot available. The one-and-a-half-hour hike is open to anyone aged eight and over. For a unique nature-based heritage experience, visitors can visit the KwaXolo Caves, home to historical San rock paintings dating back centuries. There is a guided hiking route with visitors securely harnessed as they walk along the mountainside, enjoying views of the valley and waterfall. There are also picnic sites near the caves. Bookings must be made by calling Makhosazane on 076 185 3447 or contact Shaun on 074 8873 742. Cost: R150 per adult, R120 per child 8 to 16 years

Just 25 kilometres inland of Port Shepstone is this unique space. Within the 1 917-hectare reserve is the iconic gorge where the Umzimkulwana River has carved through sandstone over millions of years. There are some great trails in the reserve; the Hoopoe Falls Trail (7km), the Nkonka Trail (5km), Baboob View Trail (1km), Samango River Trail (1,5km), View Trail (9km), and Horseman’s Point (4,5 km). 

Cost: R30 per adult, R15 for children aged 3 to 12 years 

Situated between the Mzimkhulu and Mzimkhulwana Rivers is the 10 000ha Lake Eland Game Reserve, home to legendary mountain biking trails that include gorge rides and climbs. The reserve has 45km of well-maintained trails winding through four distinct ecosystems where cyclists can view a range of bird- and wildlife, including giraffe, blue duiker, herds of eland, blesbuck, wildebeest, zebra, shy mountain reedbuck and bushbuck. Ranging in length from 4km to 45km, bikers can enjoy an easy cycle through to the more strenuous Dunstone’s Pass.

Situated between Mpenjati Nature Reserve and Ezinqoleni is the KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails that fuses natural beauty with local cultural heritage. The KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trail Park, launched in 2019, gives hikers and birdwatchers the opportunity to immerse themselves in this stunning region along a 4-kilometre trail. Contact: [email protected]