Mountain Backpackers is an established and vibrant club noted for its friendly atmosphere.

Founded as an outdoor club on 1 January 1987, it has grown into KwaZulu-Natal's largest and most active backpacking club making use of the the Natal Drakensberg.

The Club offers the choice of several backpacking trips every week, for the beginner or the more seasoned hiker, catering to all levels of fitness.

The Club subscribes to a policy of minimum impact on the environment and all its members are bound by a code of conduct.

Most hikes are staged in the Drakensberg, giving you the opportunity to revel in the crisp clean air, invigorating mountain streams and azure skies. Periodic trips are on sections of the National Hiking Way trails and numerous trails along our magnificent coastline. All club hikes are led by experienced leaders who are familiar with the area.

Weekend hikes leave either on Friday afternoon or in the early hours of Saturday morning from Durban and other arranged centres, where we travel to a camping site situated somewhere in the Drakensberg.  Overnight stays are arranged if leaving on Friday.  From the campsite, hikers proceed to a planned stop-over on Saturday. The night is spent in tents or caves, depending on the trip, returning to the original campsite on Sunday afternoon.  Longer trips in the Drakensberg are arranged periodically throughout the year. Private vehicles are used to and from the hikes.

In addition to these weekend hikes, the club has a selection of day hikes, which can be an easy Saturday afternoon stroll or a choice of gentle to vigorous full day hikes on Sundays. Destinations include areas around Durban, Pietermaritzburg, the Midlands and North and South Coasts.

Periodically there are also longer hikes and excursions to more distant places - trails such as the Otter, Amatola, Wild Coast and other exciting destinations, as well as to foreign countries such as Mozambique, Spain, Nepal, Peru and others.

The Club has the use of the Sherwood Bowling Club clubhouse, where regular talks, slide shows, videos and informal social gatherings are held.

To become a member of the Club costs R130.00 per single person, or R160.00 per family, per annum. Members joining after 1 August pay half price. Membership includes a magazine with the fixture list, published quarterly. Please click on Join for further details on how to join the Club.