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Classification: A 4-day, linear, fully catered, guided, portage trail Environment: Rural Accommodation: Excellent Facilities and safety: Relative safe Difficulty Rating: Moderate to difficult
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Basic Trail Description:

The Mehloding Hiking Trail is a four day fully catered, portaged and guided trail effectively and professionally run by the local Mehloding Community Tourism Trust. Incorporated is the first overnight stay at the local Masakala B&B near Matatiele. Hikers are transported from here to the start of the trail and afterwards returned via the border post road to Lesotho at Quacha's Nek to their cars.

The trail is characterised by walking through the traditional Xhosa rural landscape with majestic Drakensberg escarpment as constant backdrop. Passing through a number of villages provides ample contact, through the local guide, with village life. (This includes a shebeen where one can buy a cold beer). the landscape, although undergoing much erosion and infestation by wattle trees, is exceptionally beautiful.

The sandstone underlying the Drakensberg basalt kranzes, form extensive flat rock ledges, caves and impressive mushroom rocks. Plenty of mountain streams provide water and swimming places along the trail. A number or stream crossings can be scary but with the guide's help, the are all safe.

Of special interest are the extensive stretches of Protea "forests" and most beautiful deep gorges with waterfalls and San paintings. The outstanding impression is that of the exceptional hospitality of the hostesses at all the traditional Xhosa overnight huts, the concomitant good food and clean rooms.