 This relatively unknown part of the great Drakensberg offers a multitude of hikes catering for all grades of fitness and enthusiasm.
Hikers have a choice of :
1. gentle strolls of a few hours;
2. all-morning hikes that will bring one to features such as San rock art sites, pristine 'berg pools and streams, caves and hilltops with splendid views;
3. overnight trips taking the ardent hiker deep into the mountains and even up the great escarpment onto the South Africa - Lesotho border.
Short hikes
The most popular day hiking centre is the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service station of COBHAM. This is a 20 minute drive on a dirt road from Himeville village. After registering with the friendly KZN Wildlife officials at the entrance gate, hikers can walk up the charming Pholela River banks on a well maintained path.
The route is "littered" with lovely picnic stream pools! Other routes from Cobham can take one along the National Hiking Way Trail path.
Another popular area for short jaunts is the KZN Wildlife area at GARDEN CASTLE, which is a 45 minute drive from Underberg.
Visitors staying at the KZN Wildlife camp at LOTENI also have opportunities for delightful wanderings which lead one along berg streams and to indigenous forests.
For such strolls one need only take the bare necessities; the office centres have modest shops where hikers can purchase the necessary snacks.
Day hikes
The hiker with 6 to 10 hours at his disposal can reach into the deeper foothills of the mountains but should always carry appropriate clothing and food lest the unpredictable Berg weather catch him unawares. (An old-timer of the area said that only a newcomer or a fool would predict the weather!)
All the KZN Wildlife areas can offer interesting (and taxing if desired) day hikes. These areas are: LOTENI, COBHAM, GARDEN CASTLE, and BUSHMAN'S NEK.
Overnight trips
The best known longer hike in the Southern Drakensberg is the "GIANT'S CUP TRAIL", a 5-day National Hiking Way route. This formally begins on the Sani Pass road and ends at Bushmansnek, however one can also choose to do sections of the trail.
Each overnight stop provides basic accommodation in huts. Prospective hikers must make reservations for the Trail by phoning 0331-8451000.
After completing the Mountain Rescue Register at one of the KZN Wildlife offices, the hiker can head for one of the many mountain caves for overnighting. Otherwise one may pitch a tent virtually wherever one pleases, within environmental considerations - such as not on the bank of a stream or close to bushman painting shelters. The mountains must be treated with respect; many is the hiker who has underestimated the fickle weather or the ruggedness of the terrain and ended up in severe trouble. Rescue operations are costly and are no longer financed by the State or K.Z.N. Nature Conservation Service.
Hikers/climbers who are looking for a challenging objective will usually try to bag one of the Southern 'Berg peaks. There are 26 peaks in the Southern Drakensberg that are higher than the magical 10000 feet (3050m).
The most popular climbs/scrambles are Hodgson's Peak (South) from Cobham, The Rhino from Garden Castle or Thabana Ntlenyana from Vergelegen. (The latter is the highest point in Africa south of Kilimanjaro and is situated a few kilometres into Lesotho.)
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