The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

Welcome to the forum!

We were planning on doing exactly the same thing at the end of the month. We've decided against it.

See here for info.

I wouldn't either.

Hi guys,

I am going to be in Clarens this weekend and want to try head up the chain ladders on Sunday.
I just want to get an update on the condition of the road going up to the car park.
Last time I was there (probably early 2016) a bit of it had been paved.
I am going to be in a mini which is fairly low so I just want to find out if anymore of it has been paved or if I should rather just stay in town for a big breakfast instead.

Thanks
Rob.

I was last on that road in December - it was fine for Andrew's Jazz, naturally with some careful driving. The paving is moving along nicely, but will still take a few years to be done. At the current pace, it will probably take at least 5 more years to finish.

Good morning guys
Thanx for the answers on Didima and Mikes Pass. What is the state of the road up to Sentinel Carpark ? Is it tarred ?
I must admit i don't mind the gravel road actually But will be in the area in October.
Thank you

The road to Sentinel Carpark is, and has it has been for years, being paved. Some parts are paved others not. It is a bit worse than gravel but if you drive carefully you can get through fine...depending on the car.

Has anyone stayed on top lately? Hows the crime?

Hi Everyone

This thread helped a lot when I was planning my recent trip to the Berg so thought I'd contribute to the knowledge pool.

I drove the Sentinel car park road on Sunday ( 12th Nov 2017) in an automatic Vito. The ground clearance on a Vito isn't great but I had no problems getting to the car park. Just drive with a bit of caution and pick a good line through some of the trickier bits and you should be fine. The drive back was more eventful as we got caught in a downpour. There is one climb on the road that is long and fairly rutted but with momentum and some creative driving I got through. This should be easier in a manual car. In summary the condition of the road is decent and most cars should make it.

Timoross, we met a couple coming down the chain ladders who spent the night on the escarpment, they said they had no problems. We also had no problems during the day.

Evening all

Have there been any updates/recent experiences with the safety of spending the night on the Amphitheatre (in terms of crime)? I'm new to the Drakensberg so don't want to try any of the major passes or trekking too far away from the ladders quite yet, and don't really have the cash for a guide. Would be great to hear there has been some improvement!

P.S. I'm not super paranoid about crime, feel OK with hiking around table mountain for instance but would rather not put myself or anyone who joins at risk.

Hi all

just as FYI, the Sentinel Car park building is under constriction so no "dorm" accommodation at the car park at the moment, below is a pic of the work being done.



Just on another note, below are some pics of the work on the path, they are a lot of the way up the zigzags. The path is very distinct when looking down from the top.