Toilsome

The road that leads to pleasure is downhill and very easy, with the result that one does not walk but is dragged along; the other which leads to self-control is uphill, toilsome no doubt but exceedingly profitable.

‘And you, Sir knight,’ / (Said she) ‘that taken have this toylesome paine / For wretched woman […]!’

The whole of the interior of South Africa is, of course, one vast plateau at a considerable elevation, and all the main lines coming up from the coast have some toilsome climbing.