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Mohales's Hoek is one
of the nine district administrations of
Lesotho. Local sandstone is a feature in
most of the administration buildings and
trading stores. Like most towns in the
south, the Hoek has its 'house
mountain', which one can climb in an
hour. Here you can also test your 4x4
skills, before venturing further a field
into the southern Maluti.
The south of Lesotho is rich in
traditional Basotho culture, and ethnic
life styles of the Basotho can be
experienced at nearby villages and
mission stations. Dinosaur foot prints
and San rock art can also be seen in the
south.
4X4 & Bike Trails
Hotel Mount Maluti is perfectly located
to take full advantage of this natural
playground. It provides the ideal base
for exploring the mountains on both
short routes and extended expeditions.
For both 4x4 and bike trails we can
arrange provisions, maps, back-ups and
overnight accommodation, and we can also
suggest routes on even arrange
experienced local guides.
Walks
Hills surround Mohales Hoek on the
south, east, and north, making the town
a good center for those interested in
walking.
Caves & Forests
Two kilometers to the south of Mohales
Hoek on the Quthing road are the
inter-connecting caves where cannibals
lived in the 19th century, under
Motlejoa, not only historical, but also
very scenic. These caves can be reached
by vehicle and a short climb or by
horseback.
Seven kilometers to the north on the
Mafeteng road (turn right towards Old
Hoek/Mpharane) is Thaba Ts'oeu, park
your vehicle at the village and hike up
to the forest, famous for its petrified
tree trunks, which are found in the
topmost layer of sandstone. The
petrified wood is protected by law and
may not be removed.
Two
excursions by land rover may also be
undertaken
The first is to Mphutseng, reached by
turning left off the main road at
Mesitsaneng Pass, 10km south of Mohales
Hoek. 7km along this track the visitor
should turn right towards Maphutseng
Mission, and a short distance before the
mission buildings turn right again onto
a minor track. A low plateau seen to the
right of this track can be reached in
about 10 minutes walking time. On the
summit are well-preserved footprints of
extinct reptiles, including dinosaurs.
An inscription records the details of
their discovery in 1959. Maphutseng (Bethseda)
Mission is itself an important
historical site. It was found by the
French missionary Christain Schrumpf.
The original mission house survives and
is one of the oldest buildings in
Lesotho. Amongst these old buildings are
the remains of an old printing press.
A second and longer excursion entails
turning right to Old Hoek, 5km north of
Mohales Hoek on the Mafeteng road, which
follows a hilly rout between the Thaba
Putsoa range and Makhaleng River 27km
north of Mohales Hoek it climbs steeply
again, reaching Mousemouse at 38km. Not
far beyond the rout descends the
sandstone escarpment by a
well-engineered new road and fords the
Makhaleng gorge. Beautiful spots to stop
and picnic, this road continues to
Malealea Lodge.
Things to do and see in Quthing (Moyeni)
Distict
37km from Mohales Hoek to thesouth takes
you to the Seaka Bridge (1882). This old
bridge over the Sequ (Orange) River was
brought up from Smith filed and erected
here in 1959. The pontoon over the river
was used before the bridge was built.
The remains of this can still be seen.
The bridge has a sand foundation and
therefore a weight restriction used to
apply.
The Ellenburgers cave house can be
reached by turning right at the Masitise
Primary School turn off. Drive about
500m to the village; ask to see the
Local Priest (Moruti) who will act as a
guide. A small donation to the church is
appreciated. Rev D ellenburger who
crossed the Senqu River in 1866, when
many French Protestant Missionaries were
expelled from other parts of Lesotho
during the Senqiti War founded the
Masitise Mission. For many years, the
Ellenburgers Family lived in this house
build in the rock overhang and it was
here that many Ellenburger children were
born. The cave house is still well
preserved.
Quthing (Upper Moyeni) 50.6km is a
pleasant and cool hill-top town, planted
with evergreen trees and with fine
panoramic views of the mountains. It is
a small District headquarters and the
buildings are grouped together near the
Orange River Hotel. Not far from the
Hotel is the Residency and on its
sandstone verandah are some rock
paintings. These were painted by one of
the last persons to keep the tradition
of rock paintings. These were painted by
one of the last persons to keep the
tradition of rock paintings alive. The
story is told in a delightful book "The
Mountain Bushmen of Basutoland" by
Marion Walsham How.
The Dinosaur footprints, 51km, can be
found directly off the road on your
left-hand side on the road to Mount
Moorosi. It is an orange building with a
thatched roof.
From Moyeni, the interesing excursion is
along the Senque Valley to Mount Moorosi
past Fort Hartley. View the spectacular
valley with Aloe Forox all over. This
was also the Adam Kok's rout to
Griqualand West. At Forth Hartley,
61.7km, is JB Thomas. Shopping center of
1879 on your left-hand side. The
furniture shop was Dr Hartley's Hospital
during the Moorosi War. Outside Mount
Moorosi, 91.6km, turn on to a gravel
road, this road will lead to to the
Thabo Moorosi, which is only second to
Thaba Bosiu as in important fortress.
Inscriptions on these cave walls include
those of Paul Kruger and JB Thomas.
Follow the gravel road through the
devil's staircase along the Quthing
River, which is a scenic route, perfect
for a picnic. If lucky, the water
monitor can be seen.
Lake Letsie turn off, 136.3km, turn onto
the road that take you to Ongelkuksnek
via Lake Letsie. You will find the Lake
on your left had side after 140km. A
good spot for bird watching! 10km
further is the summit, which looks over
to Ongeluksnek just a few kilometers
lower. The warm cloths with, even in the
summer when the evenings can be very
chilly.
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