Xeni Cave Overnight Hike (18-19 Jul 2026)
The Xeni cave overnight hike at Cathedral peak is perfect for families or anyone wanting a weekend getaway into the Drakensberg mountains.… Read More
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Xeni Cave Overnight Hike
The Xeni Cave Overnight Hike
Family Friendly Drakensberg Hike
Overnight Hike
Sleeping in Xeni cave on an overnight hike with Drakensberghiker.
The Xeni cave overnight hike is a great 2-day hike for people who don’t have much time, but who want to experience the beautiful Drakensberg.
It is found in the well known Cathedral peak part of the Drakensberg and is a 3 hour drive from Durban or 5 hours from Johannesburg. Some people may want to stay at Cathedral Peak Hotel before or after the hike.
Xeni is a great big and well sheltered cave.
It is a perfect cave for people new to the sleeping in caves thing. There is lots of space and even has a waterfall over the front. Maybe a ‘cold’ shower?
The hike starts at the Cathedral peak hotel after we sign the hiking register at Didima camp just down the road. As we leave the hotel we soon see some spectacular mountains way up ahead of us. This includes the famous Cathedral peak. Within 45 minutes we cross our first stream so can get the best mountain water for a drink. From here we walk up along the Mlambonja river valley and soon see the Column and Pyramid above. After another river crossing we turn left along a path up a wild valley to Xeni cave.
This valley is lovely and wild with beautiful indigenous forests.
The last hour of walking on our way to Xeni cave is up a river.
By now we are getting a bit peckish so time for lunch at a pool. This place is amazing and we carry on until a wood ladder up the bank and another 150m of climbing to arrive in Xeni cave.
Click here to see how to prepare for your hike with us.
This cave is huge so lots of space. There are even 2 cement tables for cooking on. While relaxing in the cave we can chat about the beautiful Drakensberg and enjoy the views looking out the cave. After dinner and then breakfast we head back down the valley the same way we came up.
It is amazing how different the views are walking in the opposite direction.
Anyway after around a 3 hour walk we arrive back at the Cathedral peak hotel in time for late morning tea. And there you have the Xeni cave overnight hike.
Xeni Cave Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate