Highlands Hiking Trail

"WHY MEANDER IN THE MIDLANDS WHEN YOU CAN HIKE IN THE HIGHLANDS?"

Join us for a three day, four night walking holiday based in the beautiful Eastern Cape Highlands of South Africa - also known as "The Wild Side of the Drakensberg".

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, then this is the weekend getaway for you. Three days of breathtaking scenery, carrying only your daybags. Each day is a new experience; we move from beautiful river gorges surrounded by sandstone cliffs to the top of mountain peaks overlooking the Dragon's Tail.

The Highlands Hike can be enjoyed during any of our well-defined seasons. In winter you can enjoy roaring log fires and a warming glass of Gluhwein, with perhaps the chance to have a snowball fight at over 8,000 feet above sea level during the day. In summer you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy swimming in crystal clear mountain rivers and if you wish you can opt for a camping experience for one of the nights.

Whatever the time of year, we will provide you with hearty home-cooked meals which will include locally produced lamb and beef, some of the finest in the country.

ARRIVAL- Lady Grey - Mountain View Country Inn

Arrive in the historic village of Lady Grey where you will be met by your host and shown to your comfortable rooms in a beautiful country inn. There will be a chance to relax and refresh after your travels. A briefing and pre-dinner drinks will take place in the inn's cosy bar before we set off on a short stroll to a quaint village restaurant for a delicious farmhouse stew and homemade puddings.

HIKING Day 1 - Lady Grey to Lupela Lodge

After breakfast we will hike out of Lady Grey village on a steady ascent, but the stunning views of the village from the top will reward you for the climb. We head off deeper into the mountain range before dropping down into a beautiful sandstone gorge and arriving at Lupela Lodge. This stunning guest farm has views of a crystal clear mountain river, farmlands and the mountains beyond. Enjoy delicious Barkly roast lamb before relaxing in front of a log fire.

HIKING Day 2 - Vulture Colony and Gorges - Lupela Lodge

After a mouthwatering cooked breakfast we will set off along the river, following a beautiful sandstone gorge. We will continue our hike along the disused railway line that connected Lady Grey and Barkly East, traversing historic zig-zag railway reverses. We will enjoy a picnic at a stunning viewpoint overlooking a Cape Vulture breeding colony before returning to the comfort of Lupela Lodge. In the evening we will enjoy a steak braai and if the skies are clear take the opportunity to enjoy some stargazing.

HIKING Day 3 - Up & Over to New England

Wake up to the sound of fish eagles and enjoy a tasty breakfast before hopping into our Landy for a short shuttle to the beginning of this day's hike. Today we will aim to reach the highest point of the trail at an altitude of approximately 2,500m. We will be looking out for black eagles, mountain reedbuck and the Dragon's Tail which can be clearly seen from the summit. We will drop down into the beautiful New England District and settle into the cosy Kenmure House. Enjoy a few drinks and a chance to reminisce about the previous days' experiences before dinner is served.

Departure

Breakfast will be served before we transport you back to your

vehicles. With your lungs full of mountain air and your mind at

peace you will feel refreshed and ready to face the rat race

once again.

TOTAL TOUR PRICE

R2,995 - 4-5 hikers

R2,595 - 6 hikers & above

If your group is fewer than 4 hikers then contact us about

joining one of our scheduled trail dates.

Included:

•4 night's comfortable guest farm accommodation

•Breakfast, packed lunch & hearty dinner each day

•3 guided hiking days

•Transportation of luggage between overnight venues

Excluded:

Alcoholic/cool drinks and snacks. You are welcome to bring your own and we will happily transport 'the bar' and nibbles. On the first night, drinks are available at the Inn's bar.

Scheduled tour dates can be found on our Calendar of Trails and Events, however if you are a group of 4+ then we can set up a private trail according to your requirements.

We pride ourselves in offering a flexible service and can tailor all trails to your requirements, so please contact us if you would like to:

•Add or subtract hiking days

•Add in a rest day

•Add different activities into the itinerary e.g. horse riding, mountain biking, river rafting, scenic tours

• In summer we can offer the option of a camping night

WILD MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE ITINERARY AT ANY TIME TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND COMFORT OF OUR GUESTS

Wild Mountain Adventures is a tour operator based in the Eastern Cape Drakensberg of South Africa specialising in luxury slackpacking hiking trails and adventure holidays. We limit the size of our groups to a maximum of 10 people and pride ourselves in offering a professional, friendly and flexible service to our guests

The Eastern Cape Highlands, also known as ‘The Wild Side of the Drakensberg’ is a pristine montane environment which is undeveloped and extremely safe in terms of crime. Our base camp is at an altitude of 1,800 metres and peaks in the area reach 3,000 metres above sea level, so there are plenty of options for all levels of hiker. There are no resorts or developments in this region, so all accommodation is provided on working farms via charming B&B cottages and lodges. Our holidays are ideal for people who want to get off the main tourist routes and experience the ‘real’ South Africa.

Our products include the only multi-sports slackpacking trail in South Africa. We also offer cycling tours, horse riding holidays, specialist tours (e.g. birding, rock art) and river rafting.