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So what has everyone got planned for the December holidays? It's always inspiring to hear from fellow berg-hikers!

Me, I'll be doing a 4-day hike in Mnweni (up Fangs, down Rockeries) from 16-19 Dec and a 4-night stay at a cottage in the Drakensberg Gardens area from 27-31 Dec. The now-classic Bollard-Wilson's loop is on the cards as a quick solo day hike during that time... any other suggestions for good day hikes in that area?

A good day hike at Garden Castle (especially to take the family on since its an easy hike and you can really turn around at any time) is Hidden Valley. The hike to the valley is cool so even if you don't reach it, it is still worth doing, its also got some nice pools.

I'm also planning on doing a 4 day hike on 16-19Dec, from Injisuthi up Judge Pass climbing Judge, Corner, POPPLE , Mafadi, Injisuthi Dome, Trojan Wall, Lithabalong and Nteledi II (I think thats what that 3400+ peak in Lesotho on that ridge is called). Then coming down Leslie's Pass...

On the 3 to 5th December me and a good mate wanna go up mashai, summit Mlambonja peak, then go across to Rhino peak. After summiting Rhino perhaps spend the night in Mashai Shelter, or if the weathers good just sleep up top. Then take the 2nd day to explore some moere, or go over to Matabeng. And then climb down Mashai and return home. I'm super stoked!

@ghaznavid - I've been considering a hike up the Sleeping Beauty Cave valley and then dropping into Hidden Valley by crossing over the ridge separating the two valleys, about 1km up from Sleeping Beauty Cave. Then we would return by descending Hidden Valley and joining up with the Giant's Cup Trail to get back to Garden Castle.

I seem to recall you've done a similar hike before - how is it? Is the off-path stuff in the upper parts of Hidden Valley rough-going? I just want to make sure it's not too tough as a day hike since this is a route I'll be taking my (fit, but not too keen for bundu) wife and sister along on.

@Cave Man: Matebeng is right next to Mlambonja, a nice alternative is to summit Rhino and maybe Verkyker on the first day, camp at the top or Mashai Shelter and then head over to Mlambonja, Matebeng and Mashai (Wilson's peak should have an amazing view, so maybe consider this over Mashai, or as well as Mashai). You can also consider returning via Wilson or Bollard Pass if your up for some adventure, from Mashai Peak it will be shorter than returning to Mashai Pass.

@Stijn: You asking about my favourite ridge in the Berg! I haven't actually descended over it before, but I did look at it to see how difficult it would be. The main problem (as you can see in the photo below) is that you end up in the wrong valley, you thus either need to cross the ridge before the valley splits or cut over 2 ridges.



As you can see in this photo, the terrain in the valley is very easy, hence my recomendation for its use as an easy family hike:

Dec 16-18 we're taking on Nguza Pass in the Mnweni and figuring out a way around the crux waterfall. Instead of lugging a full pack up the pass we're camping at the base and doing a day loop up Nguza down Rockeries. Also climbing up the North Peak via the escarpment, crossing the cleft (not the frontal route!). After that it'll be less Berg unfortunately.

@Stijn: we seem to be developing a habit for overlapping hikes. What day are you descending Rockeries exactly? 19th?