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Hella Hella Pass is situated between the towns of Richmond and Donnybrook in the KZN Midlands.
There are various versions around as to the origins of the name of the pass. The most plausible being, that due to thick impenetrable bush in the area, the local herders cut a pathwayto the grasslands at the top, but this pathway was so narrow narrow that they had to walk in single file. The Zulu word for single file being "ihela ihela"
To access the Pass you first have to drive down into the Umkomaas Valley on a fairly steep dirt road that just carries on going down until you get to the bridge that crosses the Umkomaas River.
The bridge at Hella Hella is the start of the Umkomaas Canoe Marathon, probably the wildest K1 and K2 river race in the world.
As can be seen here the river is at a fairly low level in the winter months due to a lack of rainfall
However in the rainy season it turns into a raging torrent:
The dirt pass then leaves the valley floor and heads gently up the other side of the valley. The pass is a fairly easy ride and has no technical sections for novices to be concerned about.
The scenery is spectacular all around you and there are great views from the pass down into the valley
I would thoroughly recommend this ride to anyone contemplating coming to do a bit of riding in KZN, and it can easily be included into a trip up the more famous Sani Pass.
There are various versions around as to the origins of the name of the pass. The most plausible being, that due to thick impenetrable bush in the area, the local herders cut a pathwayto the grasslands at the top, but this pathway was so narrow narrow that they had to walk in single file. The Zulu word for single file being "ihela ihela"
To access the Pass you first have to drive down into the Umkomaas Valley on a fairly steep dirt road that just carries on going down until you get to the bridge that crosses the Umkomaas River.
The bridge at Hella Hella is the start of the Umkomaas Canoe Marathon, probably the wildest K1 and K2 river race in the world.
As can be seen here the river is at a fairly low level in the winter months due to a lack of rainfall
However in the rainy season it turns into a raging torrent:
The dirt pass then leaves the valley floor and heads gently up the other side of the valley. The pass is a fairly easy ride and has no technical sections for novices to be concerned about.
The scenery is spectacular all around you and there are great views from the pass down into the valley
I would thoroughly recommend this ride to anyone contemplating coming to do a bit of riding in KZN, and it can easily be included into a trip up the more famous Sani Pass.
