Area: Monks Cowl

More of a mountain scramble than a hike. Named after GT Amphlett who was the president of the local mountain club, in 1908.
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The Bushmen danced close to bees and honeycombs when they wanted to enter trance or go into an altered state of consciousness, in which they believed they could better harness spiritual potency. Mark Robertson, Officer in Charge, 036 468 1078 or 083 608 3748, Mark.Robertson@kznwildlife.com This cave is also known as ...
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Botlonglong / Thabana Tsooana Peak near Champagne Castle is in the Monks Cowl area. The closest pass is Ship's Prow Pass.
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Cathkin Mountain Pass is easily tackled by the more experienced hiker. It is rather steep but does gradually become gentler. The pass on the right is Ship's Prow Pass and Cathkin Mountain Pass is on the left.
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Flat-topped Cathkin Peak named after Cathkin Braes the Scottish hometown of David Gray @ 3 149m is in the Monks Cowl Reserve. In Zulu Cathkin Peak is known as Mdedelelo which means “the one who shoves in" or "the bully” due to how it protrudes from the escarpment.
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About 4 km north of Cayley Lodge above the Ama Swazi settlement is an extensive rock ledge where 2 small streams enter the valley below. On the South side of this ledge is a small overhand with some reasonably well-preserved paintings comprising of a few Eland some other antelope, human figures and a very faint rianthr ...
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Champagne Castle is located within the Monks Cowl. Greys Pass, Cathkin Mountain Pass and Ship's Prow Pass are the closest passes.
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Champagne Castle Buttress is located within the Monks Cowl. Greys Pass, Cathkin Mountain Pass and Ship's Prow Pass are the closest passes.
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Champagne Castle Dome/Ridge is located within the Monks Cowl. Greys Pass is the closest pass.
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Champagne Castle is the second highest mountain in South Africa at 3377m and is located in the central drakensberg. This hike is perfect for fit hikers who are looking for a unique multi day hiking experience.
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There is a small cave next to the stream which has an interesting burial site in the right side of the cave. The burial chamber was upright to cater for a body in a seated position and the remains of a bushman type person were removed for research purposes in the middle of the last century, but the stones of the grave ...
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Magnificent views and best approached Keith Bush Camp.
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The area in which Cowl Pass is situated is known as the Champagne Valley which consists of three extraordinary peaks: Monk's Cowl, Cathkin and Champagne Castle.
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Cowl View is located within the Monks Cowl area. Organ Pipes Pass is the closest pass.
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Champagne Castle Peak on the left followed by the Dragon's back on its right hand side.
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This is a great 3 hour (6,6km circular route) moderate walk through an indigenous forest to a magnificent grotto with waterfall and pool. The water can be cold as not too much sun shines into the pool. After the pool head up the hill to Barry's Grave. Dick Barry was one of the early mountaineering pioneers of the area ...
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An easy family hike starting at Drakensberg Sun of 4.3km in total distance.
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Eagle cave is in the Monks Cowl area and is a high overhang cave in Eagle Gorge.
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Gatberg at 2329m also known as Intunja and eye of the needle. The hole through its base is estimated at about 9 metres in diameter.
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Gray's Pass can be described as great gain for little pain. The pass itself is quite short and is situated in the Monks Cowl area, its still however a difficult hike.
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Hospitalspruit Cave also known as Knuffel’s Shelter is in the Monks Cowl area and provides excellent shelter and has a level floor.
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Keartlands Pass is located in the Monks Cowl area. It has some steep sections and the ongoing erosion has formed 'steps' which can be harsh on one's knees. This pass is not on the main escarpment.
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Keith Bush Camp used to be just a hut but it was demolished in the 1973 when the valley was declared wilderness area, where no man-made structure were allowed. This is a good overnight stop for a hike to Champagne Castle Peak via Gray’s Pass.
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Marten's Shelter is in the Monks Cowl area. This small site is situated on the path between Champagne Castle Hotel and The Sphinx path at Monks Cowl . It is on the Champagne Castle Hotel’s property so access is with permission of the hotel management. The site is well marked and is a small set of paintings of Mountain ...
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Mhlwazini Peak is located in the Monks Cowl area. Ship's Prow Pass is the closet pass.
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Monks Cowl, taking its name from the peak sandwiched between the towering Champagne Castle and Cathkin mountains, is part of the 260 000 ha Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site and is the access point to the Mlambonja and Mdedelo Wilderness Area.
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Monks Cowl, taking its name from the peak sandwiched between the towering Champagne Castle and Cathkin mountains, is part of the 260 000 ha Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site and is the access point to the Mlambonja and Mdedelo Wilderness Area. The Monk's Cowl Nature Reserve with its breathtaking vistas of sw ...
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Nkosazana Cave / Inkosazana is in the Monks Cowl area at the top of the escarpment, about 500m further along from reaching the top of Greys Pass. The cave can sleep 10 in winter months when dry, however in winter the cave is very damp inside.
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Nkosazana Peak is in the Monks Cowl area.
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Most mountaineers describe Ship's Prow Pass as the most difficult non-rock pass in the Berg - it is the highest in the Berg after all. The view from the top is legendary. Going up the North Fork is not not advised due to falling rock, rather go up the South Fork.
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Ship's Prow South Pass is the advised route option, the North Fork has had rockfalls in the past and is very dangerous. This is a long pass and tops out at 3292m, the highest pass in the Drakensberg.
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Ship's Prow Peak is in the Monks Cowl area.
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Sombrero is on the Monks Cowl area.
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Spur The Mollar is in the Monks Cowl area.
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Stable Cave is in the Monks Cowl area near the top of Verkykerskop. This is a large cave that can sleep 12 people, has a level floor and offers good protection from the elements.
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Starboard is in the Monks Cowl area.
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 Sterkhorn (Mount Memory) is in the Monks Cowl area. At the top you will find the M.O.T.H memory cross. For very fit and experienced hikers / trail runners Sterkhorn can be reached on a day hike.
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An easy walk to the falls starting at the Monks Cowl entrance. Take the well marked path down to the falls. 1 to 2 hours in total time returning back to Monks Cowl entrance.
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A scenic 8km circular hike to Sterkspruit Falls and Nandi's Falls with a total elevation gain during the hike of 330m.
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The Sphinx is in the Monks Cowl region of the Drakensberg.
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A moderate walk from Monks Cowl of 2.4 km and elevation of 312 m to the Sphinx passing Crystal falls on the way. The views are lovely once reaching the Sphinx. Along the way you walk past Crystal Falls, which is a beautiful waterfall inside of one of the many forests that you will need to walk through. This is a good ...
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Three Pools Cave is in the Monks Cowl area. This is a large cave and provides good shelter from the elements. The views overlooking the Valley make the hike up to the cave worth while.
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Turret is in the Monks Cowl region of the Drakensberg. The Turret is in the middle and Amphlett on the right. To the left is Sterkhorn.
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Vaalribbokkop Cave in Monks Cowl offers spectacular views. The floor is level and shelter from the rain is good. Its a large cave and can sleep 12 people. A section of the cave does have some Bushman Paintings and is thus also referred to as Bee Shelter. The Bushmen danced close to bees and honeycombs when they wante ...
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Verkykerskop is in the Monks Cowl Nature Reserve. The view from the top is beautiful and you have a good chance of seeing one of the families of mountain reedbuck or grey rhebuck that occupy the mountain. Verkykerskop is an easy 5/10 minute walk up which starts just before reaching Breakfast Stream after hiking past C ...
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Witch Peak is in the Monks Cowl area.
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This valley lies between the Champagne Valley and Injasuti, and can be accessed after a long walk from the R 600 just below Champagne Castle Hotel. This is private property so access is only by permission of the owners. It can also be reached from Injasuthi camp. Travelling North from Injasuthi following the path aroun ...
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Zulu Cave is in the Monks Cowl area. The cave is large and can sleep up to 12 people. Cat Cave is near by and contains Bushamns Paintings.
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