Hiking and walking in the Northern Drakensberg

Hiking or walking in the Northern Drakensberg is extremely popular. The Northern Drakensberg offers a wide range of walking and hiking trails most of which are open to all visitors regardless of where your accommodation is. The walking and hiking trails are at the Royal Natal National Park, various resorts or Bed and Breakfasts. The walking and hiking trails vary from easy strolls to strenuous hikes to the summit. Many resorts offer organised walks or hikes with a guide as well as detailed maps which are essential for extended hikes.

You will find accommodation from camp sites to luxury Lodges in the Northern Drakensberg area. Preparing for extended hikes is vitally important due to the fact that the weather is unpredictable. Correct clothing, footware, hats and sunscreen are a must. Make sure you take a jacket even if the day is hot. Although there are many mountain streams, always carry water with you. For extended walks it is essential that you complete the Mountain Register.

Although you may want to get away from phone calls, it is very sensible to take you cell phone with you as well as the Parks Board or Resort number. Below is a list of many of the walks and hikes in the Northern Drakensberg.

A. Drakensberg Mountain Retreat

Professionally set out trails offer tremendous variety as they aim to walk in a type of enviroment for not more than 15 minutes as the hike is meant to encourage one to look at the scenery, fauna and flora.

1. Strolls between one and two hours , between 1 and 2 km. 2. Two to three hour walks between 5 and 6 km. 3. Day hikes of approximately 13 km each.

Some hikes are really strenuous eg New Beginnings, which takes one down to the lowest level of the farm with parts of the hike involving walking down gullies and over or around boulders.

Royal Natal National Park

Independant guides are also available. One is Nico Els from Drakensberg Venrtures.

His cell number is 083 687 2739

Drakensberg Ventures Information taken from “ A guide to the Drakensberg.” by August Sycholt.

Easy to average:- 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 16. Intermediate to difficult:- 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20 and 21. Difficult to extreme:- 12, 17 and 22.

1. Queens Causeway and Cascades 1,5 km. Relaxing with pools for swimming.

2. Fairy Glen 1,6 km. An easy walk, beautiful scenery with a picnic spot.

3. Otto’s Walk 3 km. Ideal for those interested in trees and ecology.

4. Sunday Falls 3 km

5. Scramble up the Lion 4 km. Spectacular view of the Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls and the Sentinel.

6. Mckinlays’s Pool via Cascades 5 km. Relaxing atmosphere with poos to cool off in.

7. San Pintings in Sigubudu Valley 6 km. Information obtainable from the Visitors Centre.

8. Devil’s Hoek Valley 6 km. Largely forested with some heavy scrambles.

9. Dooley Waters and Mahai Valley.7 km. This has an attractive picnic spot at the Mahai Sream.

10. Tiger Falls 7 km. Falls surrounded by indigenous forest. Raptors and vultures often seen.

11. Gudu Falls 9 km. A fair scramble but worth the effort to see these impressive falls and forests.

12. Vemaans Valley / Policeman’s Helmet 9 km. 13. Tendele Camp via Tiger Falls 10 km. Manificent view. Antelope often seen.

14. The Grotto 10 km. The Grotto is made up of 2 large gorges.

15. Sigubudu Ridge 10 km.San paintings can be seen and small antelope.

16. Rugged Glen Forest Walk 11 km. Take a break and eat or have a drink at the nearby resort.

17. Crack and Mudslide 11 km. A daring trail with steep slippery descents and a short chain ladder.

18. Castle Rock 13 km.

19. Surprise Ridge and Cannibal Cave 22 km. Excellent views, San paintings and Mountain Reedbuck.

20. Mahai Falls and Basotho Gate 22 km Beautiful view, tranquil waterfall and a picnic spot.

21. Thugela Gorge 23 km. The most beautiful hike with indigenous forests,pools and a chain ladder.

22. Amphitheatre Summit and M0nt-Aux-Sources 45 km. At least 2 days needed and very strenuous

Hiking and Walking in the Northern Drakensberg