Hi everyone,
I’m new to the forum. I’d love to know if any of you have hiked in the Drakensberg, as I’m thinking of signing up for a trekking trip there.
I’ve heard about the "Sentinel Ladders" to reach the top plateau of the Amphitheatre.
Has anyone here done it? Is it as impressive as it sounds (I sometimes get vertigo)?
Otherwise, what are your impressions of this part of South Africa and Lesotho?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Elisabeth
The Drakensberg is stunning, and so is Lesotho. The Drakensberg is more organized and easier to plan for.
For day hikes, there are two gorgeous ones in Kamberg, around Cathedral Peak and Champagne Castle too. Same in Royal Natal. And in Lesotho...
Basically, there are tons of spots with trails for all kinds of hikers. But watch out for the time of year—during the southern hemisphere summer, it can get devilishly hot, and in winter, the mountain conditions can be tough.
Just dropping a quick note. Not to add more for now, but so this post reappears in today’s list... surely there are some VFers with suggestions, come on!
Hi Michel85200, sorry for not replying sooner—I wasn’t home.
It’s a three-day self-sufficient hike with a guide (it’s an organized trip). Departure near Royal Natal, crossing the Amphitheatre via the ladders, hiking on the 3,000m plateau near the Tugela Falls, optional ascent of Mont-aux-Sources, and a hike along the Orange River. I was wondering if anyone has done this route before, especially the ladder crossing, which seems a bit dizzying, and could describe how it felt.
We want to do one or several hikes of max 8H on day 1 and 2
Hi there,
I recommend spending a night or two at Thendele (booking: www.kznwildlife.com/Tendele.html).
At reception, they’ll give you a list of possible hikes with walking times and a basic map.
List of hikes at Thendele: www.royalnatal.info/...-natal-national-park
From Thendele, two hikes are (in my opinion) worth checking out:
The Tugela Gorge is relatively easy (14 km and about 500 m elevation gain), and the end of the hike—especially the ladder and "tunnel"—is pretty fun. You’ll reach the base of the waterfall (Tugela Falls) #21.
A bit more challenging and more "impressive" (if you’re not afraid of heights and have sure footing): "The Crack and the Mudslides" (#14).
There are also plenty of short walks of an hour or two...
Another great hike—and the most beautiful—is the "Chain Ladder Hike" or "Sentinel Peak" starting from the "Sentinel Car Park," but it’s a 2.5-hour drive from Thendele! It’s better to stay at the Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge (that’s what we did) or at Phutaditjhaba (backpacker accommodation).
Unless you leave early from Thendele by car, like this couple did:
chouchou-chouchou.over-blog.com/...sberg-112860...
www.tripadvisor.fr/...haba_Free_State.html
For Lesotho, ask Attila, michel85200, or voyajou (among others) for advice.
From Sani Pass, there are easy hikes to the north and south, taking 2 to 4 hours, for incredible views from the top. Sani Top Backpackers is really great.
Otherwise, huge areas have burned, like everywhere in South Africa. So it’s not easy to choose hikes because the burned zones—or areas where it’s not ideal to trek—aren’t marked on maps or in descriptions. Only the rangers at the park entrances can give you advice.
I’m in the Drakensberg right now!
We’re heading to South Africa on 03/09, and I only recently found out that the country has been badly affected by wildfires.
I don’t know the exact extent of the fires, but I’m a bit disappointed I chose this time of year because it seems like this is a recurring issue, and strangely, almost no one on the forum is talking about it. I’ve even read several times that September is a recommended month to visit the eastern part of the country, especially for wildlife viewing.
What’s the situation in the Drakensberg? Have the landscapes been badly impacted by the fires?
We’ll be spending 2 nights in Didima and 2 nights in Thendele.
In South Africa, fires are generally set deliberately to prevent them from growing out of control—in parks, along roadsides, and in the countryside.
It’s an old practice, also known as slash-and-burn farming, now called *écobuage* (controlled burning).
These fires also affect the Drakensberg.
Not all fires are started at the same time or in the same places.
A few photos in my travel journal 1.
It’s never really bothered me.
Yes, September is often considered a great month for wildlife spotting because, with the first rains not yet arrived, the vegetation is dry, so visibility is better. Also, water sources are fewer, so animals gather in larger numbers.
For me, Lesotho is a destination in its own right. Just a "detour" through this country is extremely time-consuming.
Your hikes are too long for me... But you’ll find what you’re looking for in pretty much all the "reserves" in the Drakensberg.
How about checking out the KZN Wildlife website?
It's just grass, so wildfires aren't too serious here. Clearly, people here don't seem to care much.
But it's not very nice to look at, nor pleasant to walk through.
In Eswatini, there's just as much. In Lesotho, less.
It seems to me that a lot of people who write trip reports or reply on VF about South Africa are overly positive, and not just by 'forgetting' the scorched landscapes.
I just did two great day-loop hikes while camping at Castle Garden:
- Hidden Valley, ridge to the north and descent via Sleeping Beauty, quite long but easy
- Magnificent Valley, with a descent toward Pillar Caves, shorter and more adventurous
The advantage of hiking in the Drakensberg and elsewhere in Southern Africa this season is that there’s really NOBODY around. South Africa is the land of car tourism...
-
I wonder if February/March wouldn't have been a better time in terms of landscapes!
It’s definitely much more pleasant to travel at that time of year.
Not really an issue in South Africa for wildlife, which is always around, and the landscapes and temperatures are noticeably better.
Plus, it’s the ideal time for Cape Town.
July and August are only when you can’t do it any other time.
The only downside is the extreme heat in the Northern Cape.
Rain can ruin some days year-round.
the fact that no one mentions scorched landscapes during this period (September)
Simply because very few travelers have been there that month.
South Africa is like any other country—it’s all about the kind of travel you choose to do.
Some people don’t visit any wildlife reserves, others go mountain biking, and some even hike, though most prefer the classic routes.
A car is pretty much essential for exploring the country due to its limited public transport infrastructure and the fact that vast natural areas are often uninhabited and remote.
It’s even worse in Namibia or Botswana.
And France isn’t exactly well-equipped either...
You can’t be in a hurry if you want to explore the countryside without a car.
s:The Tugela Gorge hike is relatively easy (14 km and about 500 m of elevation gain), and the end of the hike—especially the ladder and "tunnel"—is pretty fun.
That’s *relatively* easy for a sedentary traveler.
The end of the hike can only be done when the water level allows it.
As for the ladders, they’re regularly washed away.
Check with the rangers on-site to know the current conditions on the day, not what they were months or even years ago.
Yeah, but it's extreme in South Africa. In 45 days, including Lesotho and Swaziland, I only saw about 5 or 6 other backpackers.
And in France, even if people drive to the mountains, many still hike. Not the case in the Drakensberg.
And for my sister-in-law, it’s totally impossible...
You shouldn’t confuse hiking with a Sunday stroll...
The end of the hike can only be completed when the water level allows it.
As for the ladders, they’re regularly washed away.
No need to climb the ladder, and if there’s too much water in the "tunnel," just take off your shoes. If there’s *really* too much water, just take the trail that branches off 1 km earlier to the left—it leads straight to the base of the waterfall. (It’s not mentioned in the description; you just have to analyze the terrain.) The description says you have to reach the foot of the Tugela Falls...
Check with the rangers, not here, to know the conditions on the day, not what they were months, years, or decades ago.
You often talk about stepping out of your comfort zone.
For you, that might mean a 55-kilometer hike with 3,000 meters of elevation gain.
For many others, though, it’s just about leaving the car behind.
Those people reading this could find themselves in serious trouble by following your advice.
Especially since, in this case, you’re making it sound like the hike is risk-free when it’s already claimed lives due to weather conditions.
I know that when you say *easy*, I have to translate it as *not obvious*.
And *moderate* means *out of my reach*.
*Very easy* might be doable for me.
Think about those who don’t know you.
Would you have told your sister-in-law it was easy?
Well, before you know the person you’re giving advice to, assume they’re your sister-in-law—and that she might read this forum and take *easy* to mean *easy for everyone*.
You must be confusing me with someone else—I don’t think I’ve ever used that phrase. In any case, it’s never been a goal in itself. On the other hand, the pull of the unknown (that’s not the case here) has pushed me out of my comfort zone several times. But not in the Drakensberg!
I know that when you write "easy," I have to translate it as "not obvious."
When I say "easy," I’m writing for people who talk about hikes...
For those who aren’t into hiking, I don’t say anything.
My sister-in-law doesn’t hike. A one-kilometer walk on flat terrain is her absolute limit, but she wouldn’t ask about hikes in the Drakensberg if she were traveling to South Africa. All the hikes listed in the Drakensberg parks show the average walking time and elevation gain (which, in my opinion, is pretty accurate, so it’s aimed at the average hiker). These hikes are day trips, so you don’t have to carry a heavy backpack.
The Tugela Gorge hike is on a perfectly marked trail with no risk of getting lost. For an average hiker taking their time, it takes about 5 to 6 hours max (for roughly 14 km), with an elevation gain of 500 to 600 m and a gradual ascent without steep slopes. So, it’s at most a "moderate" hike. The person I replied to mentioned hikes of up to 8 hours; the ones I suggested are under 8 hours, and I specified that for the second one, you shouldn’t be afraid of heights and should have sure footing... though in my opinion, this hike is well within their capabilities in terms of time and the fairly moderate elevation gain.
Well, before you know the person you’re giving advice to, consider them like your sister-in-law and assume she might read this forum. If she sees "easy," she’ll think it’s easy for everyone.
Contrary to what you might think, I don’t give the same answers—or answer the same way—to identical questions on the same topic depending on who’s asking... certain details (previous questions, general interest in hiking, mountains, specifics about walking time, etc.) help me get a sense of the person.
What I *do* regret, though, is that the person in question (Langme) didn’t take the time to respond to those who made the effort to give them information!
Topics aren't just read by the people who start them.
They can even resurface years later.
Anyway, I'm neither a walker nor a hiker, and that doesn't stop me from considering a 15-kilometer hike with 500/600 meters of elevation gain.
I'm not the only one in this situation.
Every day on vacation, I come across "Sunday hikers" like me—worse than me, actually, given their systematic use of racing shoes and trekking poles where they aren't needed.
I think some will end up using them in the city.
For all these people, please don’t exaggerate how easy these hikes are.
This is a forum, we express different opinions, and that's normal, including about the difficulty of hikes.
By the way, in South Africa, they exaggerate with their safety advice and instructions (like being forced to hike in groups of 2, 3, or 4 minimum in some countries)—it's easy hiking compared to many other places in the world.
It’s actually easier than some hikes I’ve done in Norway or Switzerland, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free—especially the gorge route that ends in a bottleneck.
There’s no EDF dam, but the same kind of thing can happen.
Even an easy trail can turn into a real challenge if the equipment is damaged or depending on the season.
Tugela in March during the rainy season is nothing like Tugela in the heart of the dry season.
Plus, there used to be banditry near the Lesotho border. The safety warnings are still in place.
When it comes to safety, it feels like this is becoming the norm everywhere in developed countries.
Ever since people start tackling Mont Blanc in t-shirts and nearly flip-flops, authorities figure it’s better to overdo precautions than not enough before it blows up in their faces...🤪
To add to my info in this thread, I also hiked from Bushman's Nek to Sehlabathale Park in Lesotho—I really enjoyed it too (and then continued by minibus to Qacha's Nek, another spectacular route).
Hi,
We did the 7-hour hike in Royal Natal Park called Tugela Gorge. We went in July 2018, and during the southern hemisphere winter, it’s not as lush as some photos online make it seem. The trek to the foot of the ladders is intermediate+. According to all family members, later in the season, locals visit the site after the rains, and then everything changes—but it’s hard for tourists to plan for that.
Safe travels,
Marc
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hi there
I’m heading to Uzbekistan for three weeks from mid-September to mid-October 2026—a country I haven’t visited yet.
I’d love to do a few multi-day hikes in the mountains without going through a tour operator or hiring a guide. Has anyone here done this?
It doesn’t have to be all trekking; day hikes are great too.
I’m open to any tips!
Also, I see there are lots of train options if you book well in advance—does that only apply to the "fast" trains? Are there buses as well?
hi how can I get internet when I arrive at Haneda? I mean in areas without free wifi. Is it more interesting to buy a SIM card? If so, at the airport? thanks for your help
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
Can anyone give me some info on this?
Thanks!
We're planning to go at the end of November/beginning of December to visit (with a rental car) and hike on La Palma and El Hierro for 15 full days, including 1 day for inter-island ferry transfers. What’s the best split between the two islands—8 days on La Palma and 6 on El Hierro, or even more time for La Palma? Should we have one or two home bases on La Palma? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
Hello,
In mid-November, we’ll be in Mindelo and Santo Antão.
We’ve booked transportation with Kapverden Tours.
One trip is from Porto Novo to Ponta do Sol, including the hike from Corda to Coculi.
What’s the trail like?
Then we’ll be staying in Ponta do Sol,
Here’s what we’re planning:
A hike to Fontainhas—what’s the best direction, considering we’re not great with climbs? No problem with flat terrain or descents.
Take an aluguer to Ribeira Grande and continue along the coastal road.
With the agency:
An excursion to Cruzinha with a short walk.
Return to Porto Novo via the path from Cova to… I’m not sure where yet, to pick up the car for Porto Novo, since we’ll be taking the ferry that evening.
We’ll have a guide for this hike.
We’d love to spend a day in Tarrafal, but getting back requires a boat or taxi, and it’s really expensive!
We’re a couple, 78 and 76 years old.
What do you think of this itinerary?
Not very well known: Hokkaido Island has national parks that rival those in North America. Hiking there is free (even many mountain huts) and requires no formalities. These treks are described in the LP *Hiking in Japan* guide—you can just buy the Hokkaido PDF. It’s way better than Mount Fuji. Of course, everything depends on the weather, which is very unstable in the Japanese mountains (frequent strong winds). The trails are often obstacle courses.
The Daisetsu Zan traverse is a stunning hike through volcanic terrain with a remote section in the middle that requires at least one night of camping (there are basic huts for the rest, which is popular with Japanese hikers): 4 to 6 days.
The Shiretoko traverse takes 2 days with views including an island in Russia, but the ridge is brown bear territory—there are even more here than in Denali National Park in Alaska (brown bears and grizzlies are the same). I ran into 7 in just 6 hours of hiking!
Hi,
Since I can't take on long treks, I'd love to know if there are any nice hikes around Pokhara—or maybe in another region of Nepal. Day hikes or two-day trips would be perfect.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone,
I’m leaving on Monday, August 3rd for my very first long-distance trek: the GR223 from Coutances to Mont Saint-Michel, over 6-7 days (~11-14 miles/day), solo.
I’m looking for tips from people who know this section well (Coutances → Regnéville-sur-Mer → Hauteville-sur-Mer → Bréhal → Granville → Genêts → bay crossing):
Budget-friendly accommodations: I’m struggling to find affordable stopover lodgings (a lot of what I find online are expensive vacation rentals, not really suited for a solo hiker). If you have any great spots (hostels, hiker-friendly B&Bs, nice campgrounds), I’d love to hear them!
Bay crossing: Any feedback on guides/providers leaving from Genêts for the final crossing?
General tips for a first long-distance trek: What you wish you’d known before your first time, pitfalls to avoid, etc.
Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028.
I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄).
This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!
So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.
I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.
I’ll be bringing my dog, and I’m preparing for this as soon as I’m ready.
Any tips to make sure everything goes smoothly for us? Things I should know—or avoid? What about shepherds with their flocks of sheep? And isn’t hunting season open right now?
I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.
This’ll be my first time doing something like this—wandering in nature *and* with a dog. I’m really excited for this adventure... and I need it. Thanks!
We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike.
It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge.
I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle.
In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations.
Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there?
A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
I’d like to get some info about the GR10 Pyrenees traverse. I need help planning the daily stages and accommodations—my wife isn’t an experienced hiker but walks a lot, so I’d like to schedule shorter walking days and thus a longer overall trip in terms of number of days.
Could anyone give me some help and advice?
Best regards,
Hi there, I’m planning the Annapurna Circuit for March 2027 and I’m looking for a local agency with a local guide—preferably French-speaking—to arrange this trek for us. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hello!
We’re spending a few days in Toraja country at the end of May. We’d love to do a day trek—taking our time—on a route that’s stunning in terms of scenery, but not a level 5 in difficulty!
Any suggestions you can share, please?
Thanks in advance
I’d like to do the Mare a Mare Sud in May over 4 days. I’ve found quite a few places to stay along the route, but I’m stuck on the start and finish.
I’ll be arriving by plane on Sunday evening and would like to start pretty early on Monday morning. Ideally, accommodation right at the trailhead (Alzu di Gallina) would be amazing, but I can’t find anything. Any tips?
Also, for the transfer from Figari Airport to Porto Vecchio or Alzu di Gallina?
At the end, I’d like to pick up a rental car—any advice on that too?
I’m traveling solo by plane to Catania in May and plan to hike the northern side of Etna, starting from Linguaglossa where I’ll arrive by bus. After that, I’d love some info on how to get up to Piano Provenzana (shuttles or hitchhiking), since it seems there’s no public transport except in the summer. Can you sleep there in a free or cheap refuge, or camp? And how far up can you go without having to hire a guide? Thanks in advance. Bernard.
