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trans lesotho
|7 DAYS | ⇔ 628 km|
|+ 16, 308m|
|≡ Tar/ Gravel|

Europe has the Alps. Southern Africa has Lesotho. Now it may not be as vast as the Alps, but Lesotho is certainly a high-altitude adventure wonderland with some incredibly tough climbs. ​

 

This unforgettable and unique route through South Africa and Lesotho takes you back in time. Along the way, you enjoy beautiful landscapes but also the locals. Time has stood still in Lesotho and that makes every second of this journey unique. Below you can see a short summary of the route in 7 days. The route during the group tour will be 10 days so that there is more time to enjoy the untouched landscapes of this magical land.

Day 1

Day 1

Today we start slowly, we cycle through the beautiful landscapes of Kwazulu Natal and on the way you see the local Rondavel houses everywhere. The highlight of Day 1 has to be the section through the Karkloof Conservancy, a legendary mecca for gravel biking. We end the day in one of our favorite accommodations, Nottingham Road. Day 1 is a relatively easy one it really is a warm up day of 70km and 1420m of climbing.

Our first sleep over spot at Nottingham Road Hotel.jpg
Day 2
Day 3
Gravel roads deluxe as we made our way to Himeville.jpg

Day 2

Today we get up early and after breakfast we get on our bikes, today we have a ride of 115 km on the schedule. We cycle to Himeville where we stay overnight in a small-scale accommodation with a beautiful view of the Drakensberg Mountains, Its a tough day and good training for whats on the schedule for the next few days.

Day 3

After a much-needed breakfast we get back on the bike. Today we climb the Sani pass, a tough climb that you will remember for the rest of your life. 

Once arrived at the top of the Sani pass, of course a beer is drunk in the highest pub in Africa! 

Halfway through the climb we get our passport stamped because we trade South Africa for the magical Lesotho. Although Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, they are two completely different countries, it will feel as if time has stood still here.

The next morning we were greeted to the most spectacular view of the pass.jpg
Sani Pass was pretty much covered in mist when we climbed, probably a good thing cause the
The highest pub in Africa, the Sani Pass Hotel.jpg
A local farmer moves his donkeys to a more favourable feeding spot.jpg
Day 4

Day 4

We continue the route deep into Lesotho. Another tough climb awaits, namely the Black Mountain pass. For most people, this is a more difficult climb than Sani Pass, purely because of its steepness. Unlike Sani Pass, it is an asphalt road, but that does not make it any easier. On the way we pass beautiful valleys and every now and then a small village. Tonight we sleep high up in the hills of Ha Lejone

Day 5

Day 5

After a good nights sleep we get back on the bike. Today we cycle to the spectacular Katse dam. The view is beautiful and it really is a day to catch your breath and enjoy the ride.

A quick morning coffee looking over the Katse Dam.jpg
Squad goals.jpg
Surreal landscapes as we made our way deeper into rural Lesotho.jpg
A welcome respite at a local supermarket.jpg
Day 6
Tlaeng Pass was one of our highest points of the trip.jpg

Day 6

We continue the route to Afriski where you can ski in the winter , you can hardly imagine it but every year there is skiing and snowboarding here! We climb to 3300 meters above sea level. After the last ascent we start the descent. At the end of the day we arrive at our accommodation where a hot meal and a lovely hot shower is waiting for us!

Day 7

Day 7

The final day takes you back to South Africa and to the finish, Clarens. A beautifully quaint town with its own brewery, and we can safely say there are plenty of festive beers to be shared with new friends.

Some mud art through the wetter sections.jpg

Enquire for more information

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