Access roads to the Drakensberg

Hi guys, does anyone have an update on the Notties/Underberg routes to Lotheni? I'll be using a Ford Fiesta.
In 2020 I took the Notties route, but I just want to find out if this is still the best option.

mike_cromberge wrote:

Hi guys, does anyone have an update on the Notties/Underberg routes to Lotheni? I'll be using a Ford Fiesta.
In 2020 I took the Notties route, but I just want to find out if this is still the best option.I

 

I used Notties recently - there'd been rain the day before we left Lotheni and I was glad to have AWD (rav4) for getting through some of the muddy sections on the Lower Lotheni Rd uphills (if mem serves there were three) - no doubt 2wd would've been fine... just give it horns and don't stop!
 

Thanks a lot Grae22, I'll try the Notties dirt road again. Apart from the prospect of getting stuck in the mud, I'm looking forward to it. The routes from Notties and Underberg are both so beautiful.

According to EKZNW: "the access road to Giant's Castle Nature Reserve has been blocked by the same group of protestors that closed it in late 2022. The youth group has grievances against their local traditional authority leadership. Ezemvelo will meet with the group this morning to negotiate access for our guests."

Any feed back on this issue? I have a school group scheduled to visit Giants next week.

DeonS wrote:

Any feed back on this issue? I have a school group scheduled to visit Giants next week.
 

I was there this week, no issues.

Good day.

Any feedback on the state of the road between Nottingham Rd and Lotheni?
I see it's called the Lower Lotheni Road.

We did it in 2016 in a wee hatchback, took us almost 6hrs and two headaches later, was rutted and evil looking. This time round we have a Jimny cricket. Though I'm sure a whole deal more is possible question is "is it still gnarly and a time gobbler?".

(Note - we're not 4x4 enthusiasts as such, and driving from Gauteng. The car's meant to overcome obstacles)

I see Goggle Maps provides another option in grey, via Impendle a mere 30km further, which I think is the route @Richard Hunt mentioned in his "Vergelegen Hiking" thread, attached's a screenshot.

Thoughts?

 

 

Drove it at the beginning of October, and it seems that it is recently under contract to a civils company for maintenance. The first part(notties side of Lotheni) was  rough gravel but mostly it was widened ,recently graded and very smooth. 
One of my favourite roads to drive. 

The grey route is a mix of good gravel and tar. Watch out for livestock on the road. There is a section of about 10kms from Stepmore that is a little rough...maybe slippery in the wet. 

Jimmny cricket should take it all in his stride.

Thanks GriffBaker, it was fun.

Some additional details:

From Nottingham Rd via the Lower Lotheni Rd it's tar for about 30km. The first 14km gets incrementally worse with potholes, some local's repair jobs help but also make distinguishing between holes and DIY repairs tricky to spot. Expect to do 60-80km/h. The next 16km of tar is sweet.

The gravel thereafter is a joy to drive, all the way to the eLotheni turn off and then all the way in too.
The boys pointing their erections at us was less fun.