Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 59, June 2014

GREAT TRAILS O F SOUTH AFRICA KRANTZ KLOOF N 29 BROUGHT to you by ATURE R ESERVE KWAZU LU-NAT AL Words & pics by Jacques Marais, author of: been properly cut back to allow ‘easy’ running, but still with some solid climbs along the way. The terrain is typically KZN, with views to die for. WHERE TO RUN For a very challenging 7km run, the Molweni Prologue route starts and finishes conveniently at the Forest Hills Sports Club, where safe parking, warm showers and cold beers get a definite thumbs-up. From the club, head south along Sherwood Drive for just on 1km, then turn right into Bridle Road (stay on the verge) and about 200m later you’ll see a small entrance gate to Krantzkloof Nature Reserve on your right. Once inside, the trail dips along a fence line for 200m before forking to the right to rough-and-tumble along the steep slope through young forest to the Interpretative Centre (2km) on the banks of the Molweni River. WHY GO Here’s a trail secret so well kept that even runners from the suburbs bordering the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve had no idea these routes existed... but after the successful first running of the 32km Molweni Trail Run (www.molwenitrailrun.co.za) in May, this is sure to change! Head up the valley along the clear footpath until you get to a small wooden bridge – turn left to follow the Prologue Route, which winds through evergreen forest as you ascend to another split in the trail. Keep left to drop down to the WHAT YOU GET Two-metre tree ferns, purple touracos flapping amidst the high branches, a waterfall cascading a good 80m, and well-marked but challengingly technical trails – all just five minutes from Kloof or Hillcrest. The well-marked trail network has waterfall (3km), and then slog up a steep climb to the top of this cascade. You cross the stream along another wooden bridge and follow the path along a suburban boundary fence, entering a grassland section atop the plateau. A rocky descent will then blast you back to the fork you passed en route to the falls, and from here you retrace your steps to the start. (Should you cross into the section of the reserve below Bridle Road, a whole new world awaits.) FAST FACTS: FERNKLOOF TRAIL TERRAIN: Some road; mostly single-track footpaths MAP: Available at www.molwenitrailrun.co.za TRAIL MARKINGS: Small arrows or letters on poles, posts or trees CELL RECEPTION: Signal good throughout BEWARE: Tree roots; slippery rocks TIME OF YEAR: Great year-round GETTING THERE Krantzkloof Nature Reserve is situated on Kloof Falls Road and is bordered by the suburbs of Kloof, Everton and Forest Hills. It is an easy 30-minute drive from the Durban City Centre. GPS: 29°45’39.52”S / 30°49’28.95”E LOCAL INFO: www.kranzkloofconservancy.co.za STAY HERE I can personally vouch for Aloe Ridge B&B (www.aloeridge.co.za). The K-Way Dart Hydration Pack The Dart does exactly what its name suggests – it’s all about quick, efﬁcient movements that get you from A to B in the fastest time possible. This ergonomically-designed bag has been stripped down to provide an incredibly lightweight but durable pack with a 2l liquid capacity and a snug ﬁt that’ll feel like a second skin. If you’re looking for a streamlined, super energy-efﬁcient pack to carry your essentials like your cell phone and running jacket, then this is the pack you need. Available at R299 from all Cape Union Mart stores. More info at www.capeunionmart.co.za. WIN To a K-Way Dart Hydration Pack, go to www.modernathlete.co.za and click on the competition link on the homepage. Terms and conditions apply: Multiple entries permitted. Competition open 1 June to 30 June. The Publisher’s decision is ﬁnal, no correspondence will be entered into. 29 29

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 59, June 2014 | Page 31