GRADE: S
TIME: 1 hour, return or round trip
DISTANCE: 1.5 km
TERRAIN: Undulating well-marked path.
Starting point is above the Spa – The Putterills weir path. Follow the path on an easy gradient through the Fern Forest, crossing the stream several times. You will pass May’s Falls and cross the river once more. The path then climbs up the ridge and goes continues out into protea woodland. The endemic Drakensberg prinia – a tiny warbler with a very long tail – lives here. Eventually the path crosses a stream. Immediately after the gate, take the lower path that circles back to The Cavern. From this side of the valley there is an excellent view of the whole forest. It may look eternal, but has not always been here. The Afro-montane forest of East Africa spread southwards during a wet period during the last million years. Although today’s climate is again drier, this type of forest holds on in damp sheltered spots all the way to the Cape.