Dargle, Natal Midlands

The Dargle Valley and conservancy area is set in the midst of the Midlands Meander in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg - a land of magic waterfalls, river gorges, grassland, indigenous forest, wild flowers and wetlands; home to a variety of bird species and a major attraction to the fishing enthusiast - the area around Dargle, Fort Nottingham and Balgowan, is renowned for excellent fly-fishing.

The Dargle Valley experiences dry, cold winters - sometimes with snow - and hot, wet summers with intermittent late afternoon thunder storms followed by heavy rains. No surprise then that the countryside has sprawling wattle and pine forests, and rock pools that invite closer scrutiny.

The Midlands Meander, a collection of artists, shops, restaurants and accommodation that gives new meaning to the term ‘arts and crafts’ was initiated some 20 years’ ago by Dargle potter, Ian Glenny, whose work includes porcelain, stoneware and terracotta and whose address is simply - ‘first farm on the right, Dargle’.

An exciting cycle trail, which offers an alternative model to the current and ever-increasing threat of inappropriate development and ‘estatification’ of the Midlands, has been set up by the Guduza Trust and offers those with ‘armour-plated rear ends’ the chance to ride through indigenous forests, past huge old trees, grasslands, wide blue streams and rocky waterfalls. Get hold of the meander for details.