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Region: Northern Drakensberg

Amphitheatre to Cathedral Peak Hike

Amphitheatre to Cathedral Peak Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Baboon Rock Hike

Baboon Rock Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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 Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Barker's Chalet is a short easy hike form Cathedral Peak Hotel oof 2.6km and 212m elevation.
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Category Hikes
Blue Pool and Nyosi Grotto Hike

Blue Pool and Nyosi Grotto Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Cathedral Peak Hike

Cathedral Peak Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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

Chain Ladder Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes

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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Category Hikes
Contour Path - Cathedral Peak to Ndedema Hike

Contour Path - Cathedral Peak to Ndedema Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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

Doreen Falls Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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

Fairy Glen Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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

Five Star Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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

Ganabu Ridge and Baboon Rock Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes

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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Category Hikes
Gudu Falls from Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge

Gudu Falls from Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A 3.6km hike to the top of Gudu Falls via the “Crack” with an elevation drop of 264m along the way. There is beautiful swimming pools, within 20 metres of the falls and a lunch area at this very picturesque spot.   
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Icidi Pass Hike

Icidi Pass Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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 Pass Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Lion Buttress Hike

Lion Buttress Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Mbundini and Fangs Passes Hike

Mbundini and Fangs Passes Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Mlambonja Pass to Twins Cave Hike

Mlambonja Pass to Twins Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Mlambonja Valley Hike

Mlambonja Valley Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Mlambus Pools Hike

Mlambus Pools Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Mnweni Pools Hike

Mnweni Pools Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A 12.5km hike from the Mnweni Cultural Centre with an elevation gain of 347m.
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Category Hikes
Mnweni via Rockeries and Mnweni Passes Hike

Mnweni via Rockeries and Mnweni Passes Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Mushroom Rock Hike

Mushroom Rock Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Ntonyelana Pass (iNtonyelana)  Hike

Ntonyelana Pass (iNtonyelana) Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Oqalweni Forest Walk

Oqalweni Forest Walk

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Organ Pipes Pass (Camel Route)

Organ Pipes Pass (Camel Route)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Organ Pipes Pass (Thuthumi Ridge Route)

Organ Pipes Pass (Thuthumi Ridge Route)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Organ Pipes Pass from Cathedral Peak Reserve

Organ Pipes Pass from Cathedral Peak Reserve

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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. This route is commonly used for smuggling activities and is best a ...
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Category Hikes
Otto's Walk

Otto's Walk

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Policeman's Helmet Hike

Policeman's Helmet Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Rainbow Gorge Hike

Rainbow Gorge Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Ribbon Cave and Falls Hike

Ribbon Cave and Falls Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Rockeries Pass

Rockeries Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Sherman's Cave Hike

Sherman's Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Tlanyaku Pass

Tlanyaku Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Cathedral Peak
Tugela Gorge Chain Ladder Hike

Tugela Gorge Chain Ladder Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Two Passes and Cleft Peak Escarpment Hike

Two Passes and Cleft Peak Escarpment Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge Hike

Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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