General help for overseas visitors to the Berg

The path up the Amphitheatre is really obvious. From the car park it goes through a large gate, the first 500m is on concrete, thereafter its a very eroded path that zig-zags up the side of the Sentinel (a massive free standing peak - really spectacular to look at). Once you have walked around the side of the Sentinel you will see a massive gap between the Sentinel and Beacon Buttress (if the gap you are looking at isn't huge, its not the one I'm talking about ), there is a rough path up to this lookout point (about 20m off the main path). That spot is well worth a quick stop for a great view into the Amphitheatre. Just after that there is a small side gully called Beacon Buttress Gully (a loose rocky gully, very narrow) which is an alternative route to the top (it can make for a nice variation, but is not the nicest gully I've ever hiked). Otherwise you follow the path for about 1km further and suddenly it hits a chain ladder (well - 2 next to eachother), you climb this and then find another shorter one. Climb that, follow the path to the massive cairn and you will be on the escarpment. From there you will find a very clear path that leads to the edge, right by Tugela Falls.

I have quite a bit of info on the route on a hike writeup called "as the crow flies" (from my hike last week). It has a few photos that may give you an idea of the route - although we started further down than Sentinel Car Park.

Under the blogs section (Blogs - Drakensberg - Passes) there is also a good writeup on both Beacon Buttress Gully and the Chain Ladders, there is also a GPS track for both under downloads. But really, the path is easy to follow, you don't need a guide or even a route description.

Didima has 2 great accommodation choices (both are right there in the mountains - most of the hiking trails start at one of the 2). There's the famous Cathedral Peak Hotel (considered by many to be one of the best located hotels on earth - you can see the view from the hotel on the webcam on their website), its a great hotel, has a full restaurant, its facilities include swimming pools, rock climbing walls and tons of other things (see www.cathedralpeak.co.za).

There is also the KZN Wildlife Didima chalets. They are less up-market, but also look great. My internet is running slowly this evening so I couldn't check the link, but I think the correct link is their webpage is www.kznwildlife.com/index.php/79-yt-sample-data/content-category-2/97-view-activities.html

If you will be using a 4X4, you might be able to drive up Mike's Pass (when I was there 2 weeks ago they told me that the pass has been re-opened to 4X4 vehicles - its a pass that takes you from the 1400m altitude of the hotel to 2000m - it has been closed for a few years now). That opens up a lot of possible routes that can be done in a day in the area. Both the KZN Wildlife offices and Cathedral Peak Hotel should have the map for sale and they should be able to recommend some good trails according to your fitness levels - but as I say, that Tarn Hill/Mushroom Rock route is spectacular (but rather steep) - highly recommended. Cathedral Peak Hotel has guides for hire as well, so that could be helpful.

I've read the info on your link! seemed like an amazing hike:-)
I'm getting more and more excited about drakensberg!

Answering to your first post, in belgium we're used to some cold temperatures.
But am I wrong saying that during the day, even in JUne, in might still be good weather? (10°C-20°C).
I understand that during morning/night/evening it can get very cold indeed. (below 0°C°).

Furthermore I'm charmed by Didima camp. (Cathedral Peak seems wonderfull, but I'm not willing to spend that money if a place like Didima is nearby).

So one last question: Do you think, after climbing to the top of the amphitheater and back, we can still make it by car to Didima camp?
And is driving after sunset a problem, or can it be managed?

Thanks!

In June the weather is usually cold, but clear. On top it would usually reach about 10°C during the day, and drop to about -5°C at night. If a cold front is coming over it can get much colder than that though. I believe it has dropped below -20°C in the past (although this is rare).

As to what can be done in a day, it depends on when you start, weather, how you drive etc. Lets say you stay in Harrismith the night before, it would take roughly 2h to get from there to Sentinel Car Park. If you take lots of time enjoying the view, you would be back at Sentinel Car Park around 4 hours later. Presumably you would stop for lunch somewhere on the way. Then you have a choice between driving the horrible dirt road from just outside Phuthaditjhaba that connects directly to Bergville (from this side the Didima turnoff is between the towns of Bergville and Winterton), in which case its about a 170km drive to Didima. Otherwise you can drive back to Harrismith, take the highway to the Bergville/Winterton offramp and drive to Didima through Winterton (about 50km longer, but on a much better road). In this case the turnoff is actually in the town of Winterton. Be aware that cows in the road are a common sight on the road to Didima, so you occasionally have to basically stop and wait for cows to get out of your way. So it will take 3 to 4 hours to reach Didima if you don't drive excessively fast. (note that these driving times are conservative, it can be done faster)

So if you start at 8AM, get to Sentinel Car Park by 10, get back to the car park by 2, finish having lunch by 3, you could be at Didima by somewhere between 6 and 7PM.

I have driven these roads after sunset many times, but you must be careful. There are no street lights, occasionally vehicles drive the roads with only 1 working headlamp, and as I say - cows in the road at night can be quite dangerous. The easiest is to head out slightly earlier in the morning. But no point in rushing and missing the view.

Hi

Also have a look at this very professional and organised Backpackers - Amphitheatre Backpackers
a range of affordable accomodation and great facilities and atmosphere.

www.amphibackpackers.co.za/

They have organised trips including guided hike with transport to and from the chain ladders and to get you on top and also other hikes and activities in the area.

www.amphibackpackers.co.za/html/amphiHike.html

and

www.amphibackpackers.co.za/html/mountains.html

Thanks for the heads up!

If you should just have two days in the Drakensbergen region, would you do the hike to the top of the amphitheater for sure, or would you choose other walks?

Hi

in terms of the value/quality of the Drakensberg experience for the time available, my opinion is that getting to the top of the amphitheatre is the best plan. you will experience the widest possible range of experiences that the drakensberg has to offer, especially the grandeur of viewing the amazing landscape below you from the top of the escarpment.

Hi everyone,

I just found out I'll have a few days to kill in the Drakenberg Aug 18-20 and am hoping to put in a 3-day hike. I plan on soloing and it will be my first time in the area but I'm an experienced cold weather hiker (Canadian, do research in the sub-Antarctic) and have the required gear and training. I'm assuming I'll be fine but please let me know if I'm crazy for attempting this.

I'm also looking for route suggestions. I'm after scenery more than anything - bagging a peak, overnighting in a cave, a bit of solitude would be bonusses. I've been slacking a bit so my fitness level isn't great but I managed two back to back +20 km day hikes last week-end without passing out so I think I could be worse (granted, there wasn't a lot of vertical). And of course I need to end where I started.

In other posts I've seen Lotheni- up Buttress Pass - bag Redi Peak - down eNtubeni suggested. Another was up Giant's Pass and then down Elandshoek pass. Does anyone have an opinion on these routes or can suggest an alternative? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Welcome to VE

Do you have a GPS? The reason I ask is that Berg navigation can range from easy when you know an area and the weather is clear, to impossible when you are looking for a cave at 8PM and its misty.

Nice isolated 3 day routes - you can pretty much do anything. The 2 you have mentioned are good. But if you want to sleep in an escarpment cave, you really want to go to Mnweni, Didima or Garden Castle (specially Mzimude Cave). There are escarpment caves all over the place, but the best ones are found in these areas.

I assume you have a tent?

Based on what you are looking for, if you knew the Berg better I would say you should shoot for Rat Hole Cave at Mnweni, its small and cozy, but looks really comfortable. But navigation on that would be tricky as you don't know the area.

From what you are looking for, I would say one of the following:
- Mzimude Pass to Mashai Pass. Overnight either in one of the caves below Mzimude Pass or Mzimude Cave on the escarpment. And head to Pillar Cave or a tent above Mashai Pass. Mashai Peak is a great spot, really beautiful (and high)
- Up Judge Pass down Bannerman Pass, but that only has Spare Rib Cave and I wouldn't recommend sleeping in that. This would give you Popple Peak which is one of my favourites.
- Up Mlambonja Pass or the Bell Traverse to Twins Cave for the first night, come down Organ Pipes Pass with Upper Ndumeni Caves for the second night. This would give you the Elephant, Cleft Peak or Ndumeni Dome as choices - all of which are spectacular
- The classic Mnweni route, up Mnweni Pass down Rockeries Pass. Plenty of caves to choose from on that route. There is Ncedamabutho Peak here, should have a great view over Rockeries.

Hope that helps

Right on, this is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for - much appreciated!! Yep, I'll have a GPS, map, compass, and tent. Hoping it's not too icy, I'll have my poles but there's no time to send for my spikes.

The Mashai Pass hike looks like a winner, nothing too complicated but good payoff. I'll see if I can't book some caves along that route (which I now have the gps points for - I love this site). If I hide my main pack for a side trip, is it likely to still be there when I get back or is theft a concern?

I assume the Hermit's Wood campsite the best place to park/register/camp after?