Kloof is a leafy residential and commercial town in the Upper Highway area of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Situated roughly 25 kilometres inland from central Durban, it lies along Old Main Road near the M13 between Pinetown, Gillitts and Hillcrest. Its elevated position on the Kloof Plateau, wooded neighbourhoods, established gardens and views towards deeply cut river valleys create a cooler and greener setting than Durban’s coastal plain.
Kloof developed from nineteenth-century farms established along the inland route between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The town’s name refers to the dramatic gorge beside the settlement, with the Afrikaans word “kloof” meaning a ravine or steep-sided valley. Railway development accelerated local growth, and Krantzkloof Station, later known as Kloof Station, opened during the 1890s as trains climbed the demanding gradient between Pinetown and Botha’s Hill.
The railway encouraged the development of residences, shops, schools and services around the station and Old Main Road. Kloof gradually became a popular country retreat for Durban residents before growing into an established suburb and business centre. The historic railway-station building later gained a new purpose as Stokers Arms, preserving part of the town’s transport heritage within a working restaurant and gathering place.
Retail, education, healthcare, professional services, property, construction and hospitality support Kloof’s modern economy. Shopping areas such as Fields Centre, Delcairn Centre and Kloof Village Mall serve residents of the wider Upper Highway area. Schools, offices, medical practices, restaurants, guest houses and recreational facilities reinforce the town’s role as an important residential and service centre closely connected with Pinetown, Hillcrest and greater Durban.
Kloof has a mild, elevated subtropical climate. Summers are generally warm, green and rainy, with afternoon thunderstorms, humid periods and mist sometimes settling over the plateau and gorge. Winters are usually mild, sunnier and considerably drier, although mornings and evenings can be cool. Its altitude generally makes the town less hot and humid than Durban’s coastline.
Krantzkloof Nature Reserve protects the deeply incised Molweni and Nkutu river gorges, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, indigenous forests and threatened KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld grassland. Visitors can enjoy marked walks, hiking, birdwatching, photography and authorised rock climbing, subject to current access arrangements and reserve rules. The reserve supports crowned eagles, falcons, smaller mammals, reptiles, butterflies and a remarkable variety of plants. Wildlife sightings naturally vary according to the season and environmental conditions.
Accommodation in Kloof includes Ammazulu African Palace, Lemon Tree Bed and Breakfast, Inn Afrika Bed and Breakfast, Southey House and Eagle’s View Bed and Breakfast. These establishments offer choices ranging from culturally inspired suites overlooking the gorge to restored farmhouse accommodation and peaceful garden guest rooms. Visitors can enjoy meals at Stokers Arms, Bellevue Café and The Hussar Grill Kloof, while the town’s shopping centres provide further coffee shops, bakeries and casual dining options.
Nearby attractions include Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, Kloof Falls, Kloof Country Club and the wooded neighbourhoods of Everton and Gillitts. Longer outings can include Springside Nature Reserve, Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market, Giba Gorge, PheZulu Safari Park, the Valley of a Thousand Hills and Durban’s beaches and cultural attractions. Whether you are exploring its history, enjoying its natural surroundings or simply relaxing, Kloof offers a memorable KwaZulu-Natal experience. Discover accommodation, restaurants, local businesses, historical places, outdoor activities and nearby attractions through BlyLekker, and experience the distinctive character of Kloof.