Itineraries for doing the Bell Traverse

Hi all

I'm looking to run/trek/hike the Bell Traverse on the 27th of this month.
(Have done a lot of Berg running, however I have not hiked or run this area before)

SUPER excited to see these mountains from up close! Terrified of all the climbing though too!

Below are the 2 possible routes I'm looking at. (After a lot of reading on this forum , really a huge fan and thanks to all the contributors!)
Both starting at Cath Peak Hotel, up to Cath peak and then through to the Twins.

The red route goes down Mlambonja pass.
The black down towards Tseketseke hut.

Questions I have please:
(Since I know the condition of these passes must have changed in the last month from all the rain)

1. Which of the passes would be the LEAST bush whacking and rock hopping? (Between Mlambonja, Xeni, Cockade and Tseketseke?
2. Mlambonja seems like a lot of zigzagging, would it be better to go the extra distance up to Cockade or Tseketseke?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you

Hi Badger,

Welcome to VE!

In terms of ranking passes with more to less amount of paths, the sequence would be Mlambonja, Tseke, and then the rest. Mlambonja is your easiest and fastest option. You can also go out via OneTreeHill, which although slightly further, would be faster as the paths are less overgrown (well, they were in Nov last year). I wouldn't classify Xeni (either North or south, or the Mlambonja buttress pass) as a trail running pass in the slightest, as the terrain will force you to walk most of the way. Nice hiking passes though

Whichever route you choose, enjoy the mountains!!!

Thank you both Riaan and Smurfatefrog!

Riaan, where is OneTreeHill? I can't seem to find it on my Top maps.

Badger wrote:
Riaan, where is OneTreeHill? I can't seem to find it on my Top maps.

The One Tree hill path is the dotted line that breaks off to the true left from your Mlambonja track (red line) at the contour path level.

Hi off topic question. Where did you get that map? I've been looking for a decent trail map for some time. Thanks

Thank you firephish

I’ll post a link to the one I have, installs to Garmin Basecamp

When coming down Mlambonja, I have struggled to get onto the contour path (red line on the above map) on a previous instance. Quite tall grass and difficult to find. Path goes straight out the valley against the steep slope on the true right. Maybe just my experience ? A frustrating few minutes, I guess wont be a problem when going up. Any advice? I know it is around the point where you cross quite a big river cascade across a large flat rock in the river

Link to instructions and an exe that creates a nice topo drakensberg map in Basecamp

www.dropbox.com/s/oguiee8s9y34dqp/Archive.zip?dl=0