The Highlands Ski Route runs through the high Maluti Mountains of northern Lesotho, close to the border with South Africa. Over the midwinter months of June to August, it features world-class skiing and snowboarding at Afriski Mountain Resort, with snowy vistas as far as the eye can see.
Often referred to as the Roof of Africa, the main road through the region, the A1, is now surfaced in its entirety. It runs through a breathtaking Afroalpine landscape characterised by dramatic escarpments, gorges and waterfalls as it ascends the 3,222m Mahlasela Pass, which is the highest surfaced road in southern Africa.
Outside the skiing and snowboarding season, Afriski makes a great base for mountain biking, high altitude running and fly fishing.
Highlights
Menkhoaneng was the birthplace of King Moshoeshoe I, founder of the Basotho nation, and the Butha Buthe Plateau was the site of his first settlement.
Liphofung Nature Reserve protects an overhang adorned with prehistoric rock art.
Tlaeeng pass, to the south of the A1, though unsurfaced, summits at 3,275 metres, making it the highest road anywhere in subequatorial Africa.
Ts’ehlanyane National Park offers great hiking in mountainous terrain that supports a rich Alpine flora as well as the massive eland antelope and a wide variety of birds.
Thabana Ntlenyana is the highest peak in Southern Africa and a source of the Senqu (Orange) River.
Start: Caledonspoort
End: Sani Top
Roads: A1, A31
© Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation
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