Ploughman's Kop
Ploughman's Kop - From Mahai Camp in Royal Natal Park, it's only about 7 km up Ploughman's Kop and back, but it is quite strenuous. Your first stop on the walk should be at Gudu Pool, into which the slender but strong Gudu falls plunge, for a dip.
Then take The Crack, using the chain ladders up the tricky part, to the summit of Ploughman's Kop, where you'll find some smoothly worn pools that look like natural spa baths. From there you can see all the way south to Mdedelelo "Cathkin Peak". Return the same way, or down The Mudslide.
Long Live Hiking Trails
Everyone who is physically capable should do at least one long hike in their lives to experience the pace we used when all the world was a nomad. Trails like the Amatola and Outeniqua are some of the longest formal trails in the country, but if that's too easy, reset your sites on a Drakensberg traverse, from Mont-aux-Sources to Bushman's Nek.
This is not for novice hikers — it's tough, long, there's little natural shelter, and you have to carry all your own provisions, or organise provisioning, for a trek that takes up to three weeks. But that 230-km trip will change you forever, or at least your opinion of yourself and your capabilities.
Tugela Gorge Trail
This Drakensberg walk starts at the car park just below Thendele Camp, follows the river for a while, then climbs along the shoulder of the Policeman's Helmet before returning to the river. Where the valley becomes a gorge you criss cross the river, in places walking in a rock tunnel while in others having to climb, sometimes with the help of chain ladders, above the narrow gorge.
The head of the gorge is protected by a long pool, but you can wade through if you want to enter the real lair of the dragon. It's a 14-km round trip, but you need seven hours. Don't try negotiating the tunnel if rain is threatening.
By David Bristow