History meets Nature
Spioenkop Nature Reserve is where history meets nature. The colonial style chalets of Spionkop Lodge is the perfect spot to soak up the beauty of the area, and the fascinating history surrounding this Anglo-Boer battle.
Visit the Winterton Museum for a history of farming in the area, San paintings, huts built by the local Ngwane people, an outstanding private collection of Boer War books and the Weston Caravan.
Hiking
There are several hiking trails around the Winterton area. It’s ideally situated in the Drakensberg, where the trails never end - there is one for any and all hikers. The Cathedral Peak hike is a challenging 19 km trail that will test even the most seasoned hiker. Views from the Cathedral Peak are jaw dropping and worth the strenuous climb.
The Tugela River hike in the Royal Natal National Park is a 23 km designed for nature enthusiasts. Walking up the gorge will offer beautiful views of the surrounding areas. The Ploughman’s Kop trail is also quite popular for its natural pools and breathtaking views.
The terrain along the Mountain Splendour Eco-Resort route is varied and will expose you to most types of trail running surfaces. There are short sections of tar and district dirt roads. These surfaces are hard-packed and generally smooth. However, do expect pot-holes, rocks and possibly mud.
There are also sections along plantation and 4x4 style roads. These roads tend to be softer underfoot but with more obstacles such as streams, water, mud, fallen trees, branches and rocks. The single track is a mix of smooth African footpaths, soft grassland tracks, and loose rocky sections with some scrambling.
Mountain Biking
Travellers to the Winterton area in KwaZulu-Natal will find Mountain Splendour Eco-Resort nestled within a forest on a working farm. Set in the foothills of the Central Drakensberg, the trail system boast amazing mountain views directly onto the towering Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castle.
Panoramic vistas and fresh air envelop you as you bomb the purpose-cut single-track, improved every year by owner Iain Don Wauchope and his team.
An easy 5 km trail and a more technical 10 km intermediate trail around the property can be extended by cranking off into nearby plantations (here you’ll find even more single-track and a good few challenging hills to boot).
A permit to access the plantations can be obtained from reception, while a cool kiddies track with fun obstacles will keep the young ones occupied. A skills park is rumoured to be in the pipeline.