Most Loved Area
Although often called the Drakensberg, this description for what we used to call the Eastern Transvaal Escarpment is not entirely correct. Firstly, it is more a jumble of mountains than any discernible range.
Secondly, they have nothing to do with the real Drakensberg, in terms of either geology or geomorphology. The Voortrekkers who named them weren't to know all this, but it's about time the record was put straight.
However, earth sciences aside, the mountain wall that separates the Highveld from the Lowveld, even if highly inconsistent and fragmented, is an eye-popper and will test the legs of any mountaineer. Just to give an idea of how mountainous this wall is, in the 1970s a light plane flew into it, somewhere near the Devil's Knuckles.
In spite of successive missions over a decade to locate the wreckage, it remained elusive. The Wolkberg is the area most loved by mountaineers, and was supposedly the setting for H Rider Haggard's minor classic She (based on a very romanticised Modjadji rain queen).
Hiking in Wolkberg
The Wolkberg Wilderness, covering an area in excess of 24 000ha, has to be one of South Africa’s best kept secrets. This eco-paradise offers a pristine wilderness experience and, apart from a couple of easy-to-do day hikes, the countryside awaits exploration and you can literally walk wherever you like.
Tramp onto the Serala Loop, an achievable route that should take the average hiker anything from 3-4 days. A number of river crossings and blend of both alpine grassland and indigenous forests await, while an ascent of the 2 000m-plus Serala Peak may tempt you if the weather conditions allow.
Daily distances range from 8-15 km, while the maximum daily altitude gain should be 800m or less. After which, you can rest anywhere overnight at remote wilderness campsites. Don’t forget to decide on a meeting point when you book your mountain guide upon reservation!