Howick Falls - Natal Midlands
The Howick falls are easily accessible for anyone falling some 90 m and
the view from the top is definitely impressive
The Howick Falls are situated in Howick just outside
Pietermaritzburg. Howick Falls lies right in the heart of the Natal Midlands
on the Midlands
Meander, and is the place of a number of rivers and cascades
hence its reputation as a place of many waterfalls. The uMngeni River and
its tributaries follow the course of gorges and steep crags, forming incredible
volleys of water that rush into pools and beyond, until the water reaches
the Indian Ocean, 95 kilometres away.
Howick Falls' other name is KwaNogqaza,
the 'place of the tall one', for obvious reasons – the waterfall is
a 95 metre cascade into a broiling, restless pool, regarded by the local
Zulus with grave superstition, and said to be the place of the spirits of
ancestors. Local legend believes that in the pooll lives a giant snake-like
creature and, probably because of this, only sangomas are safe close to the
falls. The view from the top of the Howick falls, in particular, is pretty
inspiring, and the volley of water mesmerising.
And you needn't come for
the view of the Howick falls alone. There are also a series of interesting
walks and trails, some to the bottom of the falls. The official Howick Falls
Gorge Walk begins at the bottom of Harvard Street and makes its way to the
seat of the falls. Interestingly Mark Twain visited the Howick Falls Hotel
way back in 1896, and Howick has been more recently linked with Nelson Mandela's
arrest in 1962.
The Howick falls are easily accessible for anyone falling some 90 m and
the view from the top is definitely impressive. For those of you a bit more
energetic Howick offers some worthwhile short trails to the bottom of the
Howick Falls. The Howick town itself offers a good selection of antiques,
arts and crafts.
Howick Falls Gorge Walk
Start this interesting walk through the thick undergrowth
on the stone steps from the Howick Falls Gorge Walk sign at the bottom of
Harvard Street and wind your way down to the pool, at the bottom of the Falls.
You will meet up with the trickling Karkloof Spruit
and see it meet the Umgeni River on your way to the base of the Howick
Falls. The walk there and back takes a leisurely hour or two, returning
along the same path to the start. |
