Sani Pass road trail head to Pholela Hut (13 km)

The marked trail starts at the sign board on the tarred section of the Sani Pass road 6,4 km from its junction with the road from Himeville. The trail climbs up over a ridge and then descends to the Ngenwa Pool on the Gxalingenwa River. This is the highlight of the day in hot weather, but take very great care when the river is in flood because the crossing can be tricky. The trail then climbs steeply up through Ngenwa Cave before continuing on around the base of Ndlovini Mountain. The cave is a nice rest spot in wet weather. The trail then drops and follows the Trout Beck stream to the suspension bridge over the Pholela River below the Cobham campsite and Pholela Hut. There are some fine swimming spots on this section of the Pholela, conveniently close to the hut.

This section of the trail can be omitted if you prefer to start from Pholela Hut. There are two interesting variations of it as well. Firstly, you can follow the Gxalingenwa River up from the tar road to the Ngenwa Pool along a well-used path, but there are several river crossings so this is not an option when the river is high. Secondly, instead of following the marked trail along Trout Beck, you can take the By-Pass Ridge path. This will take you past another spectacular pool, about the same size as the Ngenwa Pool, before reaching the suspension bridge. The Trout Beck route also offers some nice little plunge pools though.

“Pholela” means “a place where one can cool oneself” in Zulu. Pholela Hut is an old stone farmhouse with a large expanse of lawn in front of it. It has carpet-tiled floors, curtains, gas-heated hot water, two hot showers, one cold shower, and two flush toilets. There is electric lighting but no plug points. There is a lapa for barbecuing, and tables and benches on the veranda. There are more tables and benches inside. The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife office at the entry boom nearby sells a small assortment of refreshments and firewood. Spare accommodation is often booked by other backpackers, day trippers and trail runners, so the hut can be quite full, especially over the holidays.

Please note that you should all report to the office to confirm that you have arrived to take up residence, and to fill in the Mountain Rescue Register. Office hours are 08h00 to 12h00 and 13h00 to 16h00, but the register is kept outside in a small room next to the boom.

There is no cell phone reception at the hut, but if you climb the rise above the office at the entry boom you will find some.