Passes

Passes

Thuthumi Pass

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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An interesting alternative route if you've done the Organ Pipes thing too often. This route is well used by Basothos as can be seen by the eroded path but don't let this keep you away from checking it out. There are some impressive views of the Ndumeni Dome cliffs and the back of the Organ Pipes on offer and it is a very direct route to (or from) the Didima Gorge.

Organ Pipes Pass - Camel Route

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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Even though this pass uses the Organ Pipes Pass final gully to access the escarpment, it ascends to the final gully via a completely different ridge, the Camel Ridge. There are spectacular views to be seen on both sides of this ridge as you weave between the peaks as you climb higher. It is marked as difficult/dangerous on the official maps but there should only be a cause for concern in extremely icy conditions.

Organ Pipes Pass

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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This is the easiest pass in the Cathedral Peak area and is very convenient to access the escarpment in a short weekend hike. The climb along the ridge gives great views of both the Cathedral and Cathkin ridges and the Old Fire Lookout must be one of the best settings for a hut in the entire Drakensberg. This pass is great to use during your first trip to the escarpment due to its relative ease and easy navigation.

Tseketseke Pass

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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This pass follows a spectacular route up the Tseketseke River and gully alongside the Pyramid and the Column. Even though it has similar route details to Mlambonja Pass (see above), the upper grassy slopes are a lot steeper and make this pass feel as if it belongs in the Mnweni area. The beautiful river section and stunning views near the top make this a classic Drakensberg Pass.

Cockade Pass

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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Halfway between the more popular routes of Mlambonja Pass and Organ Pipes Pass lies the Xeni Cutback, a steep river valley with dramatic cliffs towering in all directions. There are two passes which climb up to the escarpment via this cutback. Xeni Pass, however, looks pretty mean and unlike Cockade Pass, probably deserves its "rock" affix. Cockade Pass is one of the most direct routes to the escarpment in the Cathedral Peak area and with its spectacular views and enclosure, one wonders why so few hikers see this secluded part of the Berg.

Mlambonja Pass

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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This pass is one of the more difficult passes in the Cathedral Peak area but is still used quite often. This is probably due to the fact that it is the most direct route to the escarpment from the hotel, has a large and comfortable cave at it s top (Twins cave) and is often used as the third day of a popular weekend route between Mlambonja Pass and Organ Pipes Pass.

Un-named pass Mashai River

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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A number of years ago, whilst camping in the valley of Sleeping Beauty/Engagement caves, I took a stroll up the same valley in the afternoon. At turn around time I was at a point where I could look clear up the gully to the escarpment. With low sun and little shadow present, without binoculars, it looked like it was passable. 

The Bell Traverse

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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Although the Bell Traverse is not technically a pass, it gives access to the escarpment and I have therefore included it in this list. In my opinion, the Bell Traverse has the most spectacular route of any pass in the Drakensberg. Contouring just below the famous peaks of the Cathedral Range, it offers the hiker awe-inspiring views of both the Mnweni and Cathedral Peak areas. There are huge drops on the side of the narrow path all along the traverse but this exposure just adds to the fun of the route. The path is fairly clear but it should be avoided in misty weather.

Ntonjelana Pass

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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This is the easiest pass in the entire Mnweni area. It has probably got some great views of the Cathedral Range as it ascends to the escarpment just on the other side of the range. When we did this pass, however, it was very misty and we couldn’t see a thing. The path is very clear due to the use of this pass as a dagga-smuggling route between Lesotho and South Africa.

Rockeries Pass

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Parent Category: Drakensberg
Category: Passes
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This pass is one of two relatively easy ways to access the escarpment in the Mnweni area. The other pass is Ntonjelana Pass (see below) and both passes are used as dagga-smuggling routes from Lesotho to South Africa. Rockeries Pass makes it possible to see the breathtaking Mnweni Cutback in a short weekend hike. It is a good pass to use as an introduction to the Mnweni area as the path is clear and therefore navigation won’t be a problem.