Hopolang Mokhopi 

THE Thapoha Hiking Club, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC), will embark on the “3 Ranges Trail,” a 14-day, 301 km long trail from Lesotho’s lowest point in Morifi, Mohale’s Hoek,?to the highest point, Thabana Ntlenyane in Mokhotlong. 

The?event will take place from 29 September to 11 October this year, as announced during a media briefing held at Naledi Global Cure on Friday. 

The purpose of the trail is to accommodate hikers with different fitness levels and commitments. This initiative is sponsored by Global Cure and Metropolitan Lesotho. 

The “3 Ranges Trail” is named after the three mountain ranges it traverses: Thaba-Putsoa, Central, and Drakensberg. 

Addressing the media, Pokane Chesa, Manager of Thapoha Hiking Club, said the trail?will?start at the confluence of the Senqu and Makhaleng Rivers. At 1389 meters above sea level,?it is?Lesotho’s lowest point above sea level. The trail’s destination, at 3482 meters, is the highest point in Africa south of Kilimanjaro. 

Mr Chesa explained that the 3 Ranges Trail featured some of the most scenic landscapes and places of interest in Lesotho, such as dinosaur footprints, Boritsa-tšuene Falls, Qhoasing Falls, Ketane Falls, ‘Maletsunyane Falls, Matekane Airstrip (one of the most dangerous airports in the world), and the Lesobeng rock arch. 

“It passes through river sources such as Tlaling, Qaqatu, Lesobeng, and Ketane. It also traverses the four ecological zones of Lesotho: The Lowlands, Senqu Valley, Foothills, and Highlands, and crosses five districts: Mohale’s Hoek, Mafeteng, Maseru, Thaba Tseka, and Mokhotlong,” Mr Chesa said. 

In addition, another Thapoha member, Lekoro Ralebese, said the 3 Ranges Trail would not only be the first long-distance hike of its nature but also the first sectional hike. It has been divided into three sections: a 4-day section from the trailhead to Semonkong, a 5-day section from Semonkong to Mashai, and a 4-day section from Mashai to the end. 

Mr Ralebese said hikers were set to enjoy the best Lesotho has to offer, including abundant sunshine, fresh air, and clear water from streams. They will also experience the hospitality of Basotho villagers, whose culture remains largely uninfluenced by urbanisation. Arrangements have been made for communities to provide services to hikers along the trail, such as equine hire, campsites, homestays, and meals in selected locations. This ensures that hiking leaves a positive impact on local communities and builds lasting relationships. 

“The 3 Ranges Trail offers a unique opportunity to truly experience elevation by walking from the country’s lowest point to the highest and hiking above 2000 meters altitude. It also provides a special opportunity to hike across Lesotho during the nation’s 200th-anniversary celebration. This initiative is supported by Global Cure and Metropolitan Lesotho,” Mr Ralebese said. 

Thapoha is a hiking club founded in 2010 by ten outdoor enthusiasts to promote healthy lifestyles, encourage social networks, and build teamwork by exploring the Mountain Kingdom. 

For his part, the LTDC Head of Strategic Marketing, Tebello Thoola, said their responsibility was to promote tourism, support tourism sector investment, and offer limited incentives to investors. Mr Thoola mentioned that about 95 percent of tourists come from neighbouring South Africa, making it their primary market. 

“Tourism provides economic benefits to local communities while preserving local culture and acts as an economic stabilizer, especially in rural areas, by providing employment opportunities. Europe is also a crucial international market, although tourists from Europe are fewer, they tend to spend more money,” Mr Thoola said. 

Lisebo Mositsi from the Lesotho Council of Tourism thanked Global Cure and Metropolitan Lesotho for their unwavering support of Thapoha and their role in creating “such a wonderful event”.