Hi there,
We’re heading to South Africa in August 2025 and planning a classic loop that I’d love to finish with the Drakensberg (I’m a big hiking fan) before returning to Johannesburg to catch our flight.
I’ve got 3 nights for this part of our trip. But I’m wondering if it’s actually a good idea to hike in the Drakensberg in August, since it’s the Southern Hemisphere winter (I’m from Réunion and we hike year-round there, but I don’t know what the climate’s like in South Africa, especially the Drakensberg).
I’m particularly worried about getting stuck because of snow and missing our flight... ;)
I’ve read so many different things that I’m totally confused!
If it’s okay to hike at this time of year, what would you recommend? I’m torn between Champagne Valley and Royal Natal National Park.
Thanks in advance for your firsthand tips!
Malijp
Thanks for your reply, that reassures me a bit!
What spots would you recommend in the Drakensberg, given we have three nights and thus two full days there before heading back to Johannesburg?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Malijp
If you're heading back to Joburg afterward, the central-north/northern part might be more suitable: Didima, Cathedral Peak, Royal Natal, Golden Gate...
Watch out for Golden Gate—the mountain lodge is at high altitude. The view is absolutely stunning, but it’s probably pretty cold there at this time of year.
At the end of this travel journal (steps 17 and beyond), you’ll find some ideas for Golden Gate, and in this one, more about Royal Natal and Didima (steps 16 and beyond).
Hi there,
Ms. Atila knows more than I do about the Drakensberg, but she’s modest.
The weather:
Usually, it’s cold but sunny.
Cold at night but mild during the day.
Watch out for sunburn!!!!
That said, this year there was a lot of snow in September, so who knows!
Personally, I’d aim for the northern Drakensberg.
As mentioned, Golden Gate—the accommodation at the top is just stunning, but it can get *really* freeeezing.
And for hikes, the Royal Natal National Park (RNNP) is more rewarding.
So, yeah… I vote RNNP, Upper Camp!
I’ve got notes in my travel journals:
An old one about GG,
And the latest about RNNP.
Ndlelanhle !
Thanks Attila for link #1!
I finally found the link to the second travel journal too after digging through all the travel journals you’ve written (took me a while 😛).
I’m going to look into doing a mix of Didima and Royal Natal NP like you did!
Golden Gate looks great, but it’d add too many extra kilometers to my already packed route!
At Royal Natal, did you stay at Thendele Upper Camp? Everyone’s recommending it, but I’m worried about snow blocking the way back to the airport since we’re ending our trip there...
Have a great evening, and thanks for the tips and travel journals!
Malijp
Thanks Michel for the tips,
As I mentioned in my reply to Atila, staying at Thendele Upper Camp in Royal Natal makes me worry I might get stuck there if it snows. So I’m looking (maybe wrongly—let me know!) at places a bit farther away (Hlalanathi Berg Resort, Tower of Pizza, or even Border Post BB).
I’ve already read your travel journals with great pleasure, just like Atila’s *South Africa: Return to My Roots* (and since there are so many others, I’ll go gather some extra info from them!)
Thanks for sharing your experiences and travel stories!
Malijp
I'm actually torn between staying at Thendele Camp or outside the park at Hlalanati Berg Resort or even further away.
But your suggestion makes total sense!
Thanks!!
Malijp
I agree with the previous opinions and the choice of Royal Natal (closer to JNB, slightly lower average altitude).
The chance of being stuck in the region due to heavy snowfall is very low. What time does your flight depart?
However, there are two weather-related risks to keep an eye on. The first is the presence of Attila, aka La Niña 😉, and the second is when Michel starts singing a Zulu song in the Amphitheatre 😉.
P.S. The days will be short, so it’s worth booking comfortable accommodation.
Hi Voyajou!
What do you think of when you talk about comfortable accommodation... Do you have an address in Royal Natal?
We take off at 11:45 PM! We’ll have plenty of time! 😏
But I want to get to the airport before nightfall (following the advice I’ve read everywhere about safety concerns) and stop somewhere to wash the car (where can you do that, by the way?). So, in my mind (which might not be the best plan—I’m open to your tips), I’d like to be in Johannesburg by early afternoon, mid-afternoon at the latest.
For the weather to watch: Are Atila and Michel planning to travel around South Africa this August? 😉 A Zulu song at the foot of the Amphitheatre must be worth the detour!
Malijp
If you're heading there at this time of year,
You’ve got plenty of time!
Voyajou probably has some addresses, but Thendele is a really beautiful chalet.
Waking up to the amphitheater with or without singing,
Enjoying the sunset
With or without a song…
It’s really lovely
Thendele then... But do they have good fireplaces? Did you try it in August, Michel?
We're from Réunion, so the really cold weather isn't something we're used to! At 8°C in the evening in Mafate, I'm wrapped up like the Michelin Man!
Another question: my partner isn't too keen (and to be honest, neither am I) on hiking on our own in Africa (snakes and other unfriendly critters). He's okay with it, but only with a guide. So, are there guides in the Drakensberg?
I'd like to hike in Blyde Canyon (Leopard Trail or something else), with a guide or without—what do you think?
Malijp
Hi everyone!
I’m planning the Cape Town part of our trip and would love to hike up Table Mountain via Platterklip Gorge and take the cable car back down.
Is it safe to hike this trail in early January without a guide (there are 4 of us: 3 adults and a teen)?
If a guide is highly recommended, do you know a good one?
If we end up taking the cable car both ways, is it safe to hike the summit without a guide (Mc Lear's Beacon trail)?
Same question for Lion’s Head: with or without a guide?
We’re used to hiking technical trails (Réunion Island), so my question is more about the risk of mugging on these trails.
Thanks for your feedback!
Malijp
Completed the trek in 6 days from October 23 to October 28, 2026, fully self-sufficient (pack around 18 kg at the start), starting from Phalyagaon and ending in Marpha. Approximately 90 km and 5,000 m of elevation gain.
For transportation, take a bus from Pokhara to Beni (400 NRP), then a bus or shared jeep from Beni to Phaliyagaon (700 NRP by bus or 1,000 NRP by jeep after negotiating...). Allow a full day for the journey.
Homestay in Phaliyagaon at the village entrance and before the suspension bridge to reach Mauri.
Most agencies start from Mauri, but it's hard to find public transport...
The trail currently extends to Boghan because of a massive hydroelectric project under construction, which is altering the valley.
Phaliyagaon to Boghan is 27 km with quite a bit of elevation gain, but doable in one long day for an experienced hiker.
From Boghan, the real trail begins under forest cover up to the Sallagari lodge, then the high mountain starts. Camping is possible at Italien Campsite, but it's a real factory. If you've got the energy, you can continue to Swiss Campsite in about 2 hours, but with a steep climb. Plan for water.
Above the Swiss camp, the glacial moraine and then the snow cover begin.
Base camp at 4,600 m before crossing the French Pass, often crowded but plenty of space (on the snow!). Freezing temperatures at night. I was lucky with little wind, which isn’t always the case!
The ascent of the French Pass is fairly steady, with a trail easy to follow in the snow unless there’s been recent snowfall! Beautiful views of Dhaulagiri...
Polar temperatures and freezing nights in the Hidden Valley with violent winds that make it even colder. Impossible to heat water in the morning because it was frozen and the wind was too strong. This wind continued during the entire ascent of the Dhampus Pass, then the long traverse of a plateau descending but still around 5,000 m (8 to 10 km), always in the snow, before finally starting the final descent to Marpha.
Last night recommended at Alu Bari at 3,800 m rather than Yak Karka, with a stunning view of the Annapurna range if the weather is clear, of course! From Alu Bari, an easy trail leads to Marpha, 1,000 m lower and about 5 km away...
Note that at the various camps, you can get hot water from the agency cooks if you ask politely, of course! It’s a great help, especially since the available water is usually freezing and takes a long time to heat with just a stove...
The trek doesn’t present any technical difficulties if you’re well-acclimatized and in good physical condition to handle high-mountain conditions. Perfect weather is imperative, which was the case for me.
The trek is doable without agencies or mandatory guides; only the ACAP permit is required for the Dhampus Pass (3,000 NRP), but no one ever asked me for it. Issued in 10 minutes in Pokhara.
An interesting trek, far from the crowds of the Annapurnas or Everest Base Camp.
After Seoul, I’m back on the forum again 😏, to talk about Inwol in Jirisan. I’ve planned to stay there for 3 nights to hike the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail—two sections, partly... I’m really struggling to find accommodations in Inwol that are close to the trail. I know it’s early and not all options are listed yet, but even when I set dates closer together, it’s still not obvious... If you know the area, I’d love any tips! My whole itinerary depends on finding a place to stay...
I know there are plenty of discussions on VF about the Poon Hill trek, but most seem outdated and/or don’t provide info specific to February. That’s why I’m bringing this topic back up.
Here’s my plan:
- Spending about two weeks in Nepal in the first half of February.
- Maybe extending by a few days to a week if needed.
- Heading to Pokhara—first time for my partner, second for me (I was there in September/October 1982!).
- Doing a relatively easy 4- to 5-day trek. We’re not exactly spring chickens anymore (though we’re in pretty good shape for our age).
- We don’t want to go above 3,000–3,500 meters, deal with difficult sections if there’s too much snow, or face daytime temperatures below 10°C. No problem if it drops to 0–5°C at night since we’ll be sheltered somewhere.
So, I’m wondering if the Mardi Himal trek might be too demanding for us, and if we’d be better off sticking with Poon Hill.
What do the experts think?
I’m thinking of doing the O Circuit or the full W in Torres del Paine—I already did the W about ten years ago.
I’ve got a few questions:
- Do I really need to book everything well in advance?
- What’s the budget for overnight stays if I’ll have a tent and be on my own?
- What temperature rating should my sleeping bag have for comfort?
- Do I need any special gear for the hike? I’ve got low-cut shoes.
And finally, is there a place where I can leave my bike during the hike?
My partner, our daughter, and I are planning a walking trip to Madagascar in July-August 2027.
We’d love any tips or info you can share about this plan.
Which regions should we prioritize?
Is a local guide better than a well-established agency?
Where’s the best place to buy our flight tickets from Réunion?
Thanks for your input!
Hi everyone, we’re traveling by bike, but the same question comes up for hiking: what simple products can we find in towns or villages to eat/cook and get enough nutrition for physical effort, all while keeping costs affordable? Otherwise, where can we find inexpensive dietary supplements? Since I’m on cortisone, I have to be careful about what I eat. Thanks in advance, Aichatou
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
Hi there,
We’re planning an 8-day backpacking trip on the island of São Nicolau. We’re torn between taking the boat from São Vicente or an inter-island flight. I’ve heard the boats don’t always run?
We’d like to make three homestay stops to travel in a star pattern from each of the three points.
First stop around Juncalinho, second stop near Cachaco, and finally a third leg near Tarrafal. We’re looking for simple but authentic guesthouses (no hotels). Any suggestions?
Thanks
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?
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!
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
Hi there,
I’m planning to cross the Gourgs Blancs Pass at the end of the month, from La Soula Refuge to Portillon Refuge. On this section near the pass, I don’t have any trail marked on my IGN map. Is the path well signposted, or should I use a compass?
Also, beyond the physical effort, are there any technical, exposed, or vertigo-inducing sections on this part?
Since I’m finding very little info, I’m being thorough with my questions.
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.
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 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?
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!
