Luxury Slackpacking Adventure in the
Eastern Drakensberg.
Hidden deep in the remote Wartrail Mountains near Barkly East, the Frosty Peaks Trail offers an unforgettable 4-day slackpacking hike through one of the most spectacular and untouched parts of the Southern Drakensberg.
Plan you adventure
Choose your arrival date and group size to start planning your Wartrail Mountains escape.
Planning something different? Enquire about a tailor-made hike or tour.
The essentials
Frosty Peaks at a glance
Facts worth knowing before you plan your dates.
The landscape
The Trail
The trail winds through private high-altitude farmland along the southern Lesotho border, offering dramatic scenery rarely seen by visitors. Expect a rich diversity of landscapes.
- Sandstone rock formations
- High basalt plateaus
- Mountain streams and waterfalls
- Caves and overhangs
- San rock art sites
- Rolling grazing lands with incredible mountain views
Day by day
The Route
Four days of hiking and five nights on the trail. Each day follows a unique route — coloured markers guide hikers from home to home.
- Night 1Glen LyonArrival between 15:00 and 17:00. Trail briefing at 17:00.
- Day 1Glen Lyon → BallochYour first full day on the mountain, with luggage transferred ahead of you.
- Day 2Balloch → WartrailNew valleys and new views. Your bags are waiting at the next overnight home.
- Day 3Wartrail → BallochPrivate high-altitude farmland along the southern Lesotho border.
- Day 4Balloch → Glen LyonYour final hike. Departure by 09:00 the following morning.
How it works
True slackpacking
This is real slackpacking: you focus on the experience of hiking, rather than carrying heavy gear.
Hike light
Each morning you set off with only a light daypack — no heavy gear on your back.
We move your bags
While you hike, we transport your luggage and food to the next overnight home.
Waiting on arrival
Your bags will be waiting for you in the lounge when you arrive at the next farmhouse.
Where you sleep
Overnight Farmhouses
Each hiking group enjoys exclusive use of the overnight homes — comfort with the authentic charm of the Wartrail farms.
- Comfortable beds, sleeping up to 8 guests
- Hot water and electricity
- Wi-Fi access
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Comfortable lounge areas
- Fireplaces with firewood provided
All homes operate on a self-catering basis. Mattresses and clean sheets are provided — guests simply bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
Activities For everyone
Hikers & Non-Hikers
While avid hikers explore the mountains on foot, partners or family members who prefer a slower pace can drive between the overnight homes and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of our farmhouses.
Hikers
A 4-day slackpacking route through the remote Wartrail Mountains, hiking light with your bags moved ahead of you each day.
Non-hikers
- Short scenic walks around the farms
- Fishing in our clear rivers
- Quiet afternoons in landscaped gardens
- Relaxing on the stoep with panoramic mountain views
Designed and hosted by
Third-generation farming families
The Frosty Peaks Trail invites hikers to experience the landscapes, heritage and hospitality of the Wartrail community.
Deep in the remote Wartrail Mountains near Barkly East, the trail crosses private farmland that has been worked by the same families for generations — one of the most spectacular and untouched parts of the Southern Drakensberg.
Logistics
Getting There
The trail is located 45 km from Barkly East along the southern Lesotho border. The drive takes approximately 1–1.5 hours on gravel roads.
Routes from Barkly East
- Via Moshoeshoe’s Ford
- Via New England
Arrival & departure
Arrival: between 15:00 and 17:00 on the first day, with a trail briefing at 17:00.
Departure: guests depart by 09:00 on the final morning.
Vehicles remain securely parked at the first overnight site during the hike. The last fuel station is in Barkly East — there is no fuel available within 45 km of the trail.
When to go
A year-round mountain climate
The trail can be enjoyed in every season, but the Wartrail Mountains vary significantly between summer and winter.
Summer · October – March
- Average temperatures around 30°C
- Cool mornings and evenings
- Afternoon thunderstorms possible
Winter · May – August
- Average daytime temperatures around 10°C
- Freezing nights
- Clear, crisp mountain days
Winter hiking usually begins later in the morning and finishes earlier due to the cold. Regardless of season, always prepare for rain, wind, cold conditions and strong sun.
Safety and wilderness awareness
Know Before You Go
The trail passes through true mountain wilderness. There is very limited vehicle access and no cell phone reception along most of the trail.
Carry with you
- First aid kit
- Survival bag
- Thermal blanket
- Adequate water and snacks
Wildlife
Wildlife in the area includes baboons, snakes and insects. Venomous snakes found in the region include:
- Puff Adder
- Berg Adder
- Cape Cobra
On the trail
- Water is sourced from mountain streams and is safe to drink
- Streams and rivers are usually present year-round
- Fires are permitted only in the fireplaces provided
- The trail crosses working farmland — expect cattle, sheep and horses
Please respect wildlife and do not feed animals. Recommended age range is 12–65 years; capable hikers outside this range are welcome, and children aged 6–12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Hikers should be mindful of previous ankle or knee injuries.
Questions
Frequently asked
Everything hikers usually ask before booking their dates.
What is slackpacking?
How fit do I need to be?
What do I need to bring?
Can non-hikers come along?
Is there cell phone reception or fuel?
Is the water safe to drink?
When is the best time of year?
How do bookings work?
Two departures every week
Book your Frosty Peaks adventure
Each group has exclusive use of the trail accommodation for a private and peaceful mountain experience.