Balgowan Conservancy
Just a nine-minute drive from town is one of South Africa’s first official conservation areas. Stop at the log-cabin information center on your way in to learn about the area’s biodiversity before you step onto the hiking trails, which wind through mistbelt grasslands and native forests. Hundreds of bird species make their home here, including African fish eagles and colorful Cape parrots, and duiker and antelope are just some of the animals you may observe in the distance.
Fly Fishing
The Natal Midlands are renowned for their prime fly-fishing destinations, and Nottingham Road offers various options to learn from expert locals and try your hand at snagging a trout or two year-round. The winding Bloukrans River draws anglers from far and wide, Penwarn is home to seven bass and trout dams, and Upper Dargle is a celebrated higher-altitude spot for catching rainbow and brown trout.
The Midlands Meander
Nottingham Road is just one stop on the arts-and-crafts route known as the Midlands Meander. At the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal region, the Meander is a route between Pietermaritzburg to the east and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg park and mountain range to the west. The trail puts the spotlight on top-quality crafts and fine arts, including hand-dipped candles, handwoven fabric, and pottery, many of which can be found at artisan studios in Nottingham Road. But it’s also a great jumping-off point to explore all the area has to offer.