Lammergeier Private Nature Reserve
The mountain biking trail in Lammergeier Private Nature Reserve near Lady Grey is certainly not the best-known trail in the Eastern Cape, but potentially one of the most gruelling! The difference in altitude - from 1500 m for our lowest valley to 2 750 m for Snowdon Peak – means you will have to make friends with your granny gear.
The route is made up of mountainous terrain, rocky single-track, extreme downhills and eroded jeep track make for technical riding and more than the occasional portage. The trails range from cattle tracks, to 4x4 roads - through water, valleys and up mountain peaks. Test your endurance at 2 700 m, train at this altitude and the Cape Argus won’t even be a challenge! For relaxed individuals, farm roads allow you to meander at your own pace for a more laid back ride.
Lady Grey Walking Trails
There are also various walks visitors to Lady Grey can take on. The Witteberg Skywalk trail is a challenging walk that can be completed over a few days that will take you from Lady Grey all the way to Rhodes. The trail runs across the Witteberg Mountains and although it is rigorous, it is quite adventurous and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. The mountain peaks that you can take on include Balloch, Snowdon and Ben Macdhui. If you are a fit walker and in the mood for a test of endurance in a beautiful landscape, this trail is for you.
The Cape Vulture Sanctuary in the Karnmelkspruit Gorge is well worth a visit to get a view of these magnificent birds, and is a must for outdoor activities. This area of Lady Grey has great fly-fishing waters with crystal clear streams and breathtaking scenery. Fishing is catch and release only. You will catch yellow fish and trout in these waters.
There are lots of lovely hikes in the area, such as the Black Eagle trail that will take you into the Karnmelkspruit Valley. The trail has a series of little pools and offers beautiful views of Olympus Gorge. It takes five hours to complete with some river crossings and steep sections. A word of caution - it can snow during winter in Lady Grey, so be prepared for extremely cold weather.