Sunday trip to the abandoned Belvedere Hydropower plant - a photo report

[Noneking]

About 25 years ago I stayed at the "abandoned guesthouse" , the views were amazing.

For those that hasn't been there, it is seriously steep down to the power station, typically old school heavy machinery - I was in awe of the endeavors by  the builders, they got everything down there by donkey and cart.

It is also one of the places with the most snakes I've ever seen, they were literally all over.

Interesting ride  :thumleft:

The house is still intact although abandoned. There are talks of it being revamped and the owners of Chubby Pig running it.

It is extremely steep down to the water. Some serious overgrowth pushes you off the concrete strips and makes it a somewhat tricky ride in spots. I would say one needs a fair amount of skill to get up and down.

The gate is also mostly locked and  people are often forced to turn around on the escarpment because they can’t enter.

 

[edgy]

Very cool riding! :thumleft: Lovely part of our world!

 

[Noneking]

 

[Noneking]

Vincent and Mark

 

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Mark and Vincent

 

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An Adv ride is not an Adv ride without a bosk@k or a swim. We opted for a swim on this occasion

Mark and Vincent braving the cold water

 

[Noneking]

 

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[Numsch]

If only the Lowveld was closer to Gauteng! Nice pics!

 

[Noneking]

We get dressed and ride out of the Valley on the steep concrete strips, negotiating switchbacks and overgrowth

 

[Noneking]

Searching for view points back down into the valley

 

[Noneking]

Mark and I head to The Chubby Pig for a Hog Burger while Vincent has to head home. From the we fuel up in Pilgrim’s Rest

 

[Noneking]

Quick stop at Forrest Falls before we head to Sabie for a coffee. In Sabie Mark and I split up and he takes tar to White River, while I enjoy some forestry rodes to Nelspruit

 

[Noneking]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLfyd2aYcK8&t=3s

 

[Chrisl]

Stunning ride!! :thumleft: :drif:

 

[RobD]

Interesting RR, Thanks for sharing! :thumleft:

 

[Colin Kaapschehoop]

The sad & maddening fact is that the turbines etc. and guest houses were all intact and in great shape until a few years ago when the whole place was vandalised and anything copper or of value stolen! Unfortunately I won’t be happy to return anytime soon as I’d like to remember it as it was.

 

[ianb]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing . This was on Voetspoor a while ago.