A Weekend in Newcastle. Exploring the surroundings on a KTM 990 Adventure bike. Experienced nature at it's best.

Took the GoPro and Drone to capture everything while on this amazing trip.

We took off doing almost 200km on day 1. First stop for the day was at the Ncandu river, thereafter at Moorfield farm. Stunning waterfalls and scenery surrounded us as we took a break and went swimming at the top of a + 30m high waterfall.

We continued on the gravel road towards Memel, whereafter we approached the Normandien mountain pass. One of the top 5 passes in Kwa ZuluNatal.

We stopped at the Ark which is a viewpoint within the Normandien pass. What a view!

It was my first time visiting Newcastle, I was impressed with the stunning surroundings and how close you are to nature. Save to say I will definitely be going back.

We continued all along the gravel road back to Newcastle stopping at plantations which we saw from the pass.

Day 2 we took off on route Collins pass, but we decided to discover another area. We ended the day off at the Ncandu falls just outside Newcastle. Beautiful!

The Normandien Pass is without question one of KZN's best gravel passes. It has all the elements of great altitude, gravel surface, lots of twists, turns and switchbacks, breathtaking views, steep gradients and a decent length to get the adrenaline up a notch or two.

Normandien Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.992m above the sea level, located in Kwa ZuluNatal, South Africa. This pass is recommended to be driven in a 4x4 or 4x2 bakkie with difflock.

The summit is not at the intersection, but a few kms further east at 1992m ASL. There is a good view site there where you can gawp down 500 vertical meters at the wide valley known as "Die Ark" supposedly socalled because of the conglomeration of settlers that inhabited the valley. You will be enchanted and invigorated as you stand facing the wind drawing up the Drakensberg as it powers its way across the rolling grasslands to Memel in the Free State. If you look carefully, you will notice a stand of Yellowwood trees near the upper end of Die Ark close to the view point. There are only two roads leading into the valley from the South

The road over the pass is gravel, but some of the steeper sections (with a gradient of 1:6) have concrete strips. This track can get very muddy and slippery after rain making it challenging to get through. The track has all the elements of great altitude: gravel surface, lots of twists, turns and switchbacks, breathtaking views and steep gradients. Off road bikers should have experience before attempting this pass.

Moorfield Mountain Farm offers visitors superb walks into its hills and old forest, as well as clambering, swimming and fishing in the water­falls and pools of the valley and kloof of the Ncandu River.

Nature lovers and researchers also enjoy spending time at Moorfield to appreciate the beauty and biodiversity of the flora and fauna on the reserve, as do those who just enjoy spending quiet time in nature to retreat from the busy world in which we live for a while

Newcastle, town, northwestern KwaZuluNatal province, South Africa. It lies at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains. The fourth British settlement in Natal, it was founded in 1864 as a regional trade centre. Fighting occurred in the vicinity during both the First Boer War (1881) and the South African War (1899–1902). Newcastle has long been known for its coal mining and steel production.

Ncandu Falls is a waterfall in the Ncandu River in Northern KwaZuluNatal, in South Africa close to the town of Newcastle, KwaZuluNatal.

The Ncandu State Forest Nature Reserve is the second biggest indigenous forest in KwaZulu Natal and is filled with grassy plains and yellowwood gorges.

There are many little streams running through the forest that meet the Ncandu River where trout are plentiful. This is the ideal place for a scenic stroll or relaxing horse ride.

Many trails run through the reserve which take you all though the sandstone cliffs, to the majestic waterfalls and allow for fabulous birding opportunities. You get here via boat and can wither walk on boardwalks through the forest or above the roof of the forest where the views are simply stunning.

Reference: http://www.mountainpassessouthafrica....

http://www.moorfield.co.za/

http://www.savenues.com/thingstodo...