Mnweni pass advice
12 Jul 2026 21:38 - 12 Jul 2026 21:39 #80418
by KTheron
Mnweni pass advice was created by KTheron
Hi all,
My friends and I (4 people total) are planning to hike Mnweni pass next weekend (17 - 19 July), any advice?
We are all relatively fit, but have little to know hiking experience, any tips would be greatly appreciated
-Kyle
My friends and I (4 people total) are planning to hike Mnweni pass next weekend (17 - 19 July), any advice?
We are all relatively fit, but have little to know hiking experience, any tips would be greatly appreciated
-Kyle
Last edit: 12 Jul 2026 21:39 by KTheron.
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13 Jul 2026 10:12 #80419
by Riaang
Replied by Riaang on topic Mnweni pass advice
Hi Kyle, welcome to VE!
Are you guys doing the Mnweni Rockeries loop? Having little Berg experience I would say this is probably a safe route to take, compared to many of the other passes that can be done in the Mnweni area.
Since you gave very little information, I'm going to make a number of assumptions and give advise accordingly.
Which way around do you guys want to go? I'd probably suggest up mnweni pass and down Rockeries over 3 days. If the group is fit you can easily do it over 2 days but spending more time in the mountains are always good. I'd suggest day 1 from MCC (Mnweni Cultural Centre) to somewhere nearer the base of Mnweni pass. There are a few caves in the area to visit, or you can tent on the way as well. It becomes pretty bushy the higher up you go, so I would say once you are through the Protea forest, before getting to the Mnweni river look for a camping spot, or a bit higher up near Shepherds cave is also decent tenting spots. Or, you can try and find a flat open space between the boulders higher up to sleep in the dry riverbed.
Day 2 should then leave you refreshed for the pass itself, and once on top you can either tent anywhere on the flat area between the two passheads, or sleep over at Ledges cave or Mponjwane cave. You will find the source of the Senque soon after topping out on your left (Natal side), or a bit forward and then riight into Lesotho you should find water in the small stream. We found plenty water here 3 weeks ago.
Day 3 then down Rockeries and drive back home.
Do find the coordinates for the various caves and passheads, and this route in the downloads section of this website. There's plenty of trip reports on VE as well regarding this route, read them and look at the pictures to familiarise yourselves with the terrain.
Take a gps or two along, and pack warm clothes and sleeping bags as the night time temps this time of year often drop below zero.
Enjoy the Berg and post your trip report here after the hike, we'd all love to read it.
Are you guys doing the Mnweni Rockeries loop? Having little Berg experience I would say this is probably a safe route to take, compared to many of the other passes that can be done in the Mnweni area.
Since you gave very little information, I'm going to make a number of assumptions and give advise accordingly.
Which way around do you guys want to go? I'd probably suggest up mnweni pass and down Rockeries over 3 days. If the group is fit you can easily do it over 2 days but spending more time in the mountains are always good. I'd suggest day 1 from MCC (Mnweni Cultural Centre) to somewhere nearer the base of Mnweni pass. There are a few caves in the area to visit, or you can tent on the way as well. It becomes pretty bushy the higher up you go, so I would say once you are through the Protea forest, before getting to the Mnweni river look for a camping spot, or a bit higher up near Shepherds cave is also decent tenting spots. Or, you can try and find a flat open space between the boulders higher up to sleep in the dry riverbed.
Day 2 should then leave you refreshed for the pass itself, and once on top you can either tent anywhere on the flat area between the two passheads, or sleep over at Ledges cave or Mponjwane cave. You will find the source of the Senque soon after topping out on your left (Natal side), or a bit forward and then riight into Lesotho you should find water in the small stream. We found plenty water here 3 weeks ago.
Day 3 then down Rockeries and drive back home.
Do find the coordinates for the various caves and passheads, and this route in the downloads section of this website. There's plenty of trip reports on VE as well regarding this route, read them and look at the pictures to familiarise yourselves with the terrain.
Take a gps or two along, and pack warm clothes and sleeping bags as the night time temps this time of year often drop below zero.
Enjoy the Berg and post your trip report here after the hike, we'd all love to read it.
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