Amphitheatre Chain Ladders

Historical notice (2019): This article records ladder work or damage reported at the time of publication. It is not a current closure or access notice. Before travelling, check the current Sentinel hiking information from Witsieshoek and confirm conditions with the operator.

On Saturday 21 September 2019 one of the shackles that bolts the bottom, right-hand chain ladder to the rocks on the Amphitheatre sheared off at the rockface and has compromised the structure of that ladder. The left-hand ladder has no problems. These ladders are accessed from the Sentinel Peak Car Park by hikers who are hiking to the top of the Amphitheatre and on to Tugela Falls and Mont-aux-Sources.

No-one was injured, and the ladder is still attached to the rockface. Temporary nylon rope has been used to reduce the movement of the ladder, but that ladder is unquestionably not safe for use. The Sentinel Peak Hike is still open and hikers can either use the ladder on the left, which is open, or the Gully.

A meeting was held at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge on Wednesday 25th September with the Department of Environmental Affairs and their Implementing Agent to determine the next steps.

The Department of Environmental Affairs has confirmed that they have allocated funds for access projects in the area, and are in the process of submitting plans to include the complete replacement of the Chain Ladders in that project. In the interim the lower ladder on the right remains closed to hikers. 

Management of Witsieshoek are currently getting experts to assess repair and stabilization options pending the full replacement of the ladders.

In summary for now the Chain Ladders Hike is still open and hikers can either use the ladder on the left or the Gully.