Although it is right on their doorsteps, few Durbanites realise the hugely varied attractions offered by the Valley of a 1 000 Hills.
A determined band of activists is set to change that - and show that the Valley of a Thousand Hills is much more than just a torturous series of climbs for weary runners in the annual Comrades marathon.
A new "1 000 Hills Experience" route has been formed and will package over 200 tourism products with Zulu culture at three cultural villages and stunning mountain vistas.
It aims to show that this is one of the country's most attractive and varied tourism routes.
The route area, while varied in terms of landscape and cultural/arts/crafts attractions, is concentrated into a much smaller area than many other tourist routes in the country. As a result visitors don't have to spend ages driving from one place to another.
From Hillcrest to Cato Ridge represents less than a half-hour drive.
Hillcrest-based public relations consultancy, Schroeder Clark, has been awarded the contract to develop the route.
Managing partner Lesley Schroeder pioneered the marketing and packaging of the KZN Battlefields route.
"Only 30km west of Durban, the route, which starts in Kloof and ends at Cato Ridge, is easily accessible from the N3 and M13 past Pinetown. The main section of the route follows the Comrades route through Hillcrest, past the midway point at Drummond and on to Inchanga and Cato Ridge."
Schroeder said: "The new 1 000 Hills Experience route has as its main backdrop a wealth of creative talent and country cuisine.
"The new route will include the Shongweni Shuffle...design of the map and brochure and development of a complete road signage system is already under way.
"Offshoots of the route will take travellers through the Krantzkloof Gorge and Nature Reserve, to the scenic Shongweni dam and along a beautiful valley which follows the course of the Umgeni river to Isithumbe village where visitors are invited into rural homes to experience a day in the life of the Zulu families living there.
The two anchor attractions in the area are the Thousand Hills and the Zulu culture, which is well interpreted at three cultural villages - one a natural modern day rural village where people live and work and the other two at authentically replicated traditional villages with the old-style beehive huts, culture and dress.
The Upper Highway area from Kloof westwards has no heavy industry and there are huge benefits to be derived from tourism.
Creative people are attracted to beautiful surroundings so it's not surprising that the roads that wind through the Shongweni valley and the vistas of the Thousand Hills are dotted with craft industries as diverse as coffee-growing, candle-making, country furniture, minature violins and microlight flips over the Inanda dam and Thousand Hills.
Various modes of transport can be used to travel the route - from wagons to steam trains, or 4x4 adventure jaunts through the valley and microlight flips offered by Jabiru Flight Training school based at the Cato Ridge Airfield. A microlight flip over Table Mountain and Inanda Dam is a great way to orient yourself in this area.
"Follow this with breakfast at the airfield or travel along the Comrades route to one of many great breakfast and tea spots with stunning views over the Thousdand Hills", says Schroeder.
"And if you've never ventured further than the Heritage Market in Hillcrest, now is the time to explore the 1 000 Hills Craft Village opposite the Pot and Kettle or the rejuvenated Fainting Goat Centre near Kearsney College."
You can venture down the Assagay Valley at the Heidi's Farm Stall turn-off and find Coffee Farm tours, a "Noo Noo farm for the tinies", the new Shamwari Bush Pub and the Chantecleur Hotel.
Or go for an early morning game drive at Shongweni dam and lunch at The Treehouse, Under the Marula Tree or Welldyk Estate.
A third scenic option is the route through Kloof which takes in the Krantzkloof gorge and loops past the George and Dragon Pub back to Waterfall and the Camelot Estate with its castle and medieval feasts.
The 1 000 Hills Tourism office in Botha's Hill can supply you with brochures and information on the area. Call in person or telephone Prabashni Reddy on (031) 777 1874 or e-mail [email protected] or visit their website at www.tourism-1000hills.co.za. - Staff Reporter