Hike
Amphitheatre to Cathedral Peak Hike
This 5-day hike features some of the most dramatic scenery in the whole of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. The route passes through the Amphitheatre, Mbundini, Mnweni, The Rockeries, The Saddle and The Cathedral range.
The first day’s hike takes hikers up the chain-ladder to the top of the Amphitheatre. From here, th ...
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Baboon Rock Hike
The hike starts at Cathedral Peak Hotel. The hike is 4.1km's to Baboon rock, the last 2 km's on the way to Baboon Rock are fairly steep with a total elevation gain of 440m.
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Barker's Chalet Hike
Barker's Chalet is a short easy hike form Cathedral Peak Hotel oof 2.6km and 212m elevation.
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Blue Pool and Nyosi Grotto Hike
A easy 2 hrs or 5.5 kms hike. A short hike in the Cathedral Peak area, starting from the hotel and following the Nyosi River southwards.
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Cathedral Peak Hike
An extreme 6 to 7 hrs hike - 10km. A long arduous hike requiring a high level of fitness. Starts from Cathedral Peak Hotel, up the path to the Cathedral Ridge. Rock scrambling is often necessary due to rock slides on the gully below the peak.
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Chain Ladder Pass
The Chain Ladder is one of the easiest hikes as far as Berg passes go. This trail is also the most popular. The final 30m of the cliff face is ascended by means of a two-section chain ladder. The route is accessed via Sentinel Car Park which can be found on the road from Witzieshoek Mountain Resort.
There are two sect ...
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Chain Ladder Pass, Tugela Falls & Beacon Buttress Gully
A circular day hike starting at Sentinal Car Park and up to the Chain Ladder which is one of the easiest passes. The final 30m of the cliff face is ascended by means of a two-section chain ladder.
Once at top you make your way to the Amphitheatre / Tugela Falls for stunning views and the return is down the short and s ...
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Contour Path - Cathedral Peak to Ndedema Hike
A moderate to severe hike of 3 hours or 3.5 kms A long hard hike. Starts at Cathedral Peak Hotel, up to contour path below Cathedral range and follow it southwards. Hike passes underneath the main escarpment and back down the Ndedema Gorge.
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Doreen Falls Hike
An easy 2.1km hike with only 98m elevation gain from Cathedral Peak Hotel. A pool is at the base of the falls for swimming.
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Fairy Glen Hike
An easy 2.2km in total hike from the day parking area in Royal Natal. The path is uphill and then through the bush to the waterfall.
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Five Star Cave Hike
From the Mnweni Cultural Centre this is a long hike of 14.5km and elevation gain of 546m.
The views from near the cave of Fangs and Mbundini pass are stunning.
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Ganabu Ridge and Baboon Rock Hike
A severe 6 hr hike(15kms) The hike starts on the Cathedral Peak route and then branches off to the right, going down into the Nxwaye valley, up the Ganabu Ridge and down Baboon Rock.
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Gudu Bush, Lookout Rock & Cascades (Circular route)
A 6.1km circular hike heading uphill to start and then through Gudu Bush where a small stream and pool will can be seen. An option is to turn right up the hill here which takes you to the top of Gudu Falls (this is a steep path about 700m long and 230m in elevation - Gudu falls is shown on the left), else continue stra ...
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Icidi Pass Hike
An extreme round trip of a minimum of 3 days. The hike starts at the Isanlwana Police Post in the Mweni Valley and follows the Icidi River to the escarpment. It requires serious, potentially dangerous rock scrambling, and should only be attempted by experienced, competent mountaineers. In the Icidi Valley which is in u ...
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Ifidi Pass Hike
Ifidi Valley, Mnweni. An extreme round trip of a minimum of 3 days. From the Isandlwana Police Post follow the Mnweni River to its junction with the Ifidi River. The route then follows the Ifidi River and up Ifidi Pass. This hike should be led only by competent mountaineers with able parties, as it requires rock climbi ...
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Lion Buttress Hike
Starting at the Gorge car park in Royal Natal head roughly South up the hill. This is a steep hike of 558m elevation gain over 3.3km.
The views at the top of the Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls and the Sentinel are magnificent.
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Mbundini and Fangs Passes Hike
An extreme hike of 2 days (27 kms) Two steep passes in the Mnweni area leading to the top of the escarpment and enclosing Mbundini Abbey Peak. These passes are steep and dangerous and should not be attempted by the inexperienced.
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Mlambonja Pass to Twins Cave Hike
A severe 6-8 hrs hike (11 kms) From Cathedral Peak Hotel the path follows the river past the trout hatchery and up to the top of the little berg above the mlambonja river. The pass (also known as Umlambonya pass) is consistently very steep and long.
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Mlambonja Valley Hike
A moderate 30 mins - 2 hrs hike (1,5 - 5,2 kms) There are three hikes, the lower valley 1,5 km, neptunes pool 4,2 km and marble baths 5,2 km. The Mlambonja Pass Route bypasses most of the lower river valley. All hikes begin at the Cathedral Peak Hotel.
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Mlambus Pools Hike
Starting at Mnweni Cultural Village this 9.7km hike is not very steep with a total elevation gain of only 255m.
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Mnweni Pools Hike
A 12.5km hike from the Mnweni Cultural Centre with an elevation gain of 347m.
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Mnweni via Rockeries and Mnweni Passes Hike
An extreme hike of 4 days (48 kms) An extremely long and difficult hike which begins at the Isandlwana Police Post in the Mnweni area. The first day would take you to the base of the Rockeries Pass, the second to the top and Mponjwane or Ledgers Cave, the third down the base of Mnweni Pass and the fourth back to the po ...
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Mushroom Rock Hike
From Cathedral Peak Hotel its only 2.6km but its a steep uphill with an elevation gain of 355m. The views from Mushroom are excellent.
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Ntonyelana Pass (iNtonyelana) Hike
An extreme round trip of a minimum of 2 days. A long route to the top of the escarpment from the Isandlwana Police Post, following the Ntonjelana River.
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Oqalweni Forest Walk
An easy 2 hrs hike (5.5 kms) This route is ideal for hikers who prefer secluded outings. It starts from the Cathedral Peak Hotel, past the trout hatchery and along the Oqalweni River to a waterfall and pool.
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Organ Pipes Pass (Camel Route)
Organ Pipes Pass - the Camel Route is marked as dangerous on official maps but this only really applies in icy conditions. There is beautiful scenery on both sides of the ridge.
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Organ Pipes Pass (Thuthumi Ridge Route)
Organ Pipes Pass is probably one of the most commonly used passes in the KZN Drakensberg. The name is derived from the very impressive wall of rock pinnacles near the top of the pass. The ridge offers stunning views of the Cathedral and Cathkin ridges.
his route is commonly used for smuggling activities and is best av ...
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Otto's Walk
An easy one hour walk of 3 kilometres starting at the visitor's centre which takes you along the Tugela River and continues towards the park gate. The path leads up the Sigubudu Valley to some fine examples of San rock paintings.
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Policeman's Helmet Hike
Starting at the Gorge car park this 6km hike to Policeman's Helmet with an elevation gain 340m along the way offers great views.
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Rainbow Gorge Hike
A fair 2 hrs hike (5.5 kms) This is probably one of the most picturesque hikes in the area. From the hotel skirt the base of Tryme Hill westwards, then eastwards on the path into the gorge. Once in the gorge itself the path follows the river.
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Ribbon Cave and Falls Hike
A moderate hike of 3.5km from Cathedral Peak Hotel with an elevation gain of 358m. The cave sleeps 6 and the floor is level and offers good protection from storms.
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Rockeries Pass
Rockeries Pass is a relatively easy way to reach the escarpment in the Mnweni area. Navigating your way along this pass is no problem at all because the path is clear.
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Sherman's Cave Hike
Sherman's Cave can sleep to and is only 3.6km from Cathedral Peak Hotel, the hike to the cave is all uphill with a total elevation gain of 429m.
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Tlanyaku Pass
Tlanyaku Pass is a steep pass located in the Cathedral Peak area. It is situated between Ndedema Dome and the Sphinx.
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Tugela Gorge Chain Ladder Hike
This magnificent hike starts at the Gorge Car Park leading through stretches of protea veld and forest, and the scenery beyond the Gorge is spectacular.
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Two Passes and Cleft Peak Escarpment Hike
An extreme 3 days hike (40 kms) The route starts at the top of Mike's Pass near Cathedral Peak Hotel, up the long ridge and the very steep Organ Pipes Pass. Traverse the escarpment and descend via Mlambonja Pass. This hike is classified extreme and for good reason. Not to be undertaken by the unfit or inexperienced. Mi ...
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Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge Hike
A long 9.5km hike with an elevation gain of 820m. The rewards along the way make this uphill climb well worth while.
You pass Cascades, Lookout Rock, Cave Shelter, Mahai Cave and Mahai Falls on the way before reaching Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge at the top.
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