Green hills
To the horizon.
Jean & Nathalie — CC BY 2.0 · Michael Wittwer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Michael Wittwer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Michael Wittwer — CC BY-SA 4.0
A wide valley west of Durban where the Umgeni River winds between hundreds of rolling green hills stretching to the horizon, which gave it its name. It is one of the loveliest landscapes in KwaZulu-Natal and close enough to the city for a day trip. The valley is Zulu country, dotted with traditional villages of round houses and cultural centres showing Zulu dance, crafts and traditional food, along with small reptile and animal parks. The old road between Durban and Pietermaritzburg runs along the valley's rim, lined with viewpoints, cafés and craft and art galleries, and it is also the route of the famous Comrades Marathon, the world's oldest ultramarathon. Viewing from the lookouts is free, with cultural centres charging separately. A clear morning is the best time to visit, before mist sometimes covers the hills in the afternoon.
To the horizon.
Dance and crafts.
The marathon road.
West of Durban, on the old road to Pietermaritzburg, about 40 km
For the hundreds of rolling green hills filling the valley around the Umgeni River.