Lesotho Eastern Highlands

Riders meet in the afternoon at Sani Backpackers Lodge. The evening is spent around the braai chatting and getting to know each other while hearing more of what is in store, before retiring for a good night’s sleep.

Stats: 30 km, ascent 1000m, descent 1200m (These are for riders who choose to drive up Sani Pass)

Depart early from Sani Lodge Backpackers, driving up Sani Pass and Black Mountain (3200m) for the first exposure to Lesotho’s rugged mountains and steep valleys.

On arriving at our base for the tour, we’ll grab a quick lunch and gear up for the Woolshed ride. We’ll leave the backpackers and make our way on rough roads towards the Mafisoaneng Pass, climb the pass and then a pony trail to the ridge which is the start of the Super Woolshed descent. It’s sure to be one of the most fun flowy descents ever, down to Jawbone shebeen, our usual rest spot before riding the road back. A perfect introduction to Lesotho trail riding.

For anyone interested (and foolish) in riding up Sani Pass, it can be arranged. They will need to make a very early start so as not to delay the Woolshed ride.

Stats: 47 km, 1950 ascent, 1950m descent

The ride starts with a little hike-a-bike to a ridge and then descends past the Molumong Village on to the Senqu River (a drop of some 600m). Once at the Senqu, any semblance of ‘roads’ is gone and it’s typical Lesotho pony trails as the riders climb their way back out of the valley to the sprawling settlement of Ha Mofali.

Another few hundred meter descent on a rural trail and tough climb back to the main trail artery follows. For around 12km this trail has typical Lesotho ‘undulations’ of short sharp descents followed by equally sharp ‘stinger’ climbs to the highest point of the day at around 2650m. Here, while riding with some Austrians, we found a fantastic pony trail that contours along the Lofer ridge to Jawbone shabeen. After the customary beer stop, the ride back is a gentle undulating descent to the backpackers for some well-earned cold Maluti’s!

Stats: 40 km, ascent 600m, descent 1900m

In order to pack in all the action, we’ll pack early and leave on the Breakfast Run to join the James Trail heading towards Black Mountain.

The support crew will meet the riders at the tar road to transfer the group to the top of Sani Pass. There’ll be time to grab some lunch and a beer (own account) at the ‘highest pub in Africa’ before the fun begins.

The helter-skelter dash down Sani Pass will be the cherry on the top of a few great days of Lesotho riding.

The riders will regroup at Sani Lodge for a quick shower and snack before setting off back home.