Current Hike Schedule

For notes and more information on participating on our hikes please click here.

GRADINGS OF HIKES

  • FF Family friendly.
  • PF Pet friendly.
  • Easy - A short, flattish walk 3-8kms
  • Moderate - 8-15km hike without big and steep inclines. Physical fitness advisable
  • Difficult - 8-25kms, steep inclines and possibly some moderate rock scrambling and/or rocky paths and/or no paths and/or tricky river crossings. Physical fitness essential
  • Very difficult - more than 8kms with many extremes. Physical fitness absolutely essential.

SHILOH LODGE, KAMBERG

We will stay at this very comfortable Lodge which has incredible views over the Berg. Arrive at leisure on the morning of the 24th. We will hike a trail inside the estate with breathtaking views
24 September 2026, 8:00 am
-
27 September 2026, 5:00 pm
Grading: Moderate
Leader: Hettie Randall
Exposure Scale: None
Distance: Various
Cost: R500 pppn Ezemvelo day hike fee R80 or Rhino card

CUMBERLAND NATURE RESERVE

Hike from the parking area along the top of the gorge up to the krantz where we will stop for a break. Hike back down to the picnic site for a lunch break. After lunch
27 September 2026
Grading: Moderate
Leader: Libby
Exposure Scale: None
Distance: 12-14km
Cost: To be advised

SWARTKOP – 4th of the BIG 4 CHALLENGE

4TH OF THE BIG 4 CHALLENGE – SWARTKOP Start from Cedara College. Steady climb with a short ascent to the top. Beautiful views back over Midmar and the Berg.
3 October 2026, 8:00 am
-
2:00 pm
Grading: Moderate
Leader: Iain
Exposure Scale: Difficult, steep climb at the end
Distance: TBA
Cost: TBA

Wynnifreds hiking trails and Cafe

There are 3 trails to choose from, and we will be doing the longer 9km that covers two hills and includes a bit of scrambling. The hike starts with a steady climb of about 300m
10 October 2026, 9:00 am
-
2:00 pm
Grading: Easy to Moderate
Leader: Lizette Gerber
Exposure Scale: slight exposure on second hill
Distance: 9km
Cost: Donation to farm

Umdoni Park , Pennington

Hike at Umdoni Park, Golf Club :Meet at the Observation deck on the sea side and the route will take us through the waterfall, forest pond, the Crowned Eagle’s nest view point, and through the
18 October 2026, 8:00 am
-
1:00 pm
Grading: Moderate/Difficult
Leader: Sthabiso & Nonhlanhla
Exposure Scale: Mild
Distance: 10km
Cost: A donation of R50 per person towards conservation to Umdoni Park

MHC SOCIAL GATHERING

A friend of the Midlands Hiking Club family, Jonathan, will be sharing stories from his adventures “In Search of Mountain Lakes” – taking us on a journey through some of the incredible landscapes and mountain
24 October 2026, 3:00 pm
-
5:00 pm
Grading: Easy
Leader: Danielle Scrutton
Exposure Scale: None
Distance: None
Cost: None

Minerva Nature Reserve, Daisy Hike

Hike to the Beacon and picnic spot. Bring lunch and snacks and extra water – there is no water on this hike and no ablutions. Magnificent views of Byrne Valley and Conservancy and hopefully right
25 October 2026
Grading: Moderate
Leader: Renata Ruggeri
Exposure Scale: Mild
Distance: 7kms
Cost: R25pp

TWEEFONTEIN FARM

A walk through a nature conservation project which is home to a diverse biome with its associated attraction to birdlife and their introduction to several antelope species wandering through the grasslands and forest areas. The
1 November 2026
Grading: Easy
Leader: Hettie Randall
Exposure Scale: None
Distance: 10kms
Cost: R100

Blue Grotto – Central Drakenberg

Starting from Drakensberg Sun Hotel, walking to the Blue Grotto via Fern Forest. There are a number of river crossings and steep section.
8 November 2026, 8:00 am
-
3:00 pm
Grading: Easy to Moderate
Leader: Deon Small
Exposure Scale: None
Distance: 5,5km
Cost: TBA

Mountain Splendour hiking weekend

Join us for a weekend of hiking in the Monks Cowl area. We will be arriving on Friday night at the Mountain Splendour Resort. On Saturday we intend to hike past the Sphinx to Blindman’s
13 November 2026
-
15 November 2026
Grading: Moderate
Leader: Rob Melis
Exposure Scale: Mild
Distance: 12km on Saturday & 9km on Sunday
Cost: Bring your wild or rhino card. Otherwise pay R70 each day.

Upper Tekwani Loop

A walk through the Tekwani Plantations in the Dargle to the base of a waterfall. Pet Friendly
14 November 2026, 7:30 am
-
2:00 pm
Grading: Moderate/Difficult
Leader: Iain Kerr
Exposure Scale: Mild
Distance: 14
Cost: No Cost

YEAR END FUNCTION

Our prizegiving this year will be held at the MOTH District Hall, 14 Grosvenor Road, Chase Valley. We will meet at 11am followed at 1pm with a BYO braai, everyone to contribute a salad please.
29 November 2026
Grading: Easy
Leader: Danielle Scrutton
Exposure Scale: None
Distance: None
Cost: None

Karkloof Falls

A casual morning hike, starting from KCC, walking along one of the forest trails, to the falls viewsite. After a picnic, we walk back along the river and maybe a swim if it’s hot. Refreshments
6 December 2026
Grading: Easy
Leader: Carolee Thompson
Exposure Scale: Easy
Distance: 7kms
Cost: R40-R70

WESSA’s Umngeni Valley – Grassland

This is a new route in Umngeni Valley on the Grasslands Trail. This includes a 3km descent to the Umngeni River, a 3km soulful journey along the Umngeni River & a 3 km ascent back
13 December 2026, 7:00 am
-
12:00 pm
Grading: Moderate
Leader: Dawn Norton
Exposure Scale: Moderate
Distance: 9-10km
Cost: 40

XMAS WEEKEND

We will not be offering a fixture over the Xmas period as we will be quietly reflecting with family and friends. We use this opportunity to wish all members a blessed and safe festive season.
24 December 2026
-
27 December 2026
Grading: Easy
Exposure Scale: None
Distance: None
Cost: None

MEANDER HUT – NEW YEARS in the MOUNTAINS

Moderate 3 days and 2nights, overnight hike to Meander Hut in Giants Castle. Join me on welcoming the New Year in – bring along all your New Year goodies and decorations. Day 2 will be
31 December 2026, 8:00 am
-
2 January 2027, 1:00 pm
Grading: Easy to Moderate
Leader: Deon
Exposure Scale: None
Distance: 23 km Total
Cost: R260-00 overnight fee + R160 bag shuttle cost

GRADINGS OF HIKES

  • FF Family friendly.
  • PF Pet friendly.
  • Easy - A short, flattish walk 3-8kms
  • Moderate - 8-15km hike without big and steep inclines. Physical fitness advisable
  • Difficult - 8-25kms, steep inclines and possibly some moderate rock scrambling and/or rocky paths and/or no paths and/or tricky river crossings. Physical fitness essential
  • Very difficult - more than 8kms with many extremes. Physical fitness absolutely essential.

NOTES ABOUT HIKING

  1. Hikes are graded so that members can select the activity best suited to their own level of fitness and do not cause unreasonable delay to fellow hikes.
  2. Contact the leader of a day hike at least 3 days in advance of your intention to participate. If you need to cancel, please contact the leader as soon as possible. Numbers are often limited and there may be a waiting list.
  3. Contact the leader of a camping weekend at least one week in advance of your intention to participate.
  4. If accommodation bookings are required, please contact the leader at your earliest convenience to secure yourself a booking.
  5. Leaders have the prerogative to exclude a member if they doubt their health condition, physical fitness or suitability of their hiking gear for a particular activity.
  6. Advise the leader of any medical condition prior to any hike & carry the necessary medication – The leader will not administer First Aid.
  7. Carry your medical aid, doctor, and close family friend contact details in your backpack at all times. We encourage all hikers to attach their membership badges to their backpacks with these details available.
  8. Further information on the Rules and Regulations, for your safety, please click here.