Central Drakensberg Contour Path Hike (4 Days)

Maximum Number of Hikers

Maximum Number of Hikers

12 The 4 Day Central Drakensberg Contour Path Hike

Intermediate Drakensberg Hike

The Central Drakensberg Contour Path hike is a great 4 day hike starting at Cathedral Peak and finishing at Champagne Castle. For a change we only get to 2200m and walk below the huge escarpment 1000m above us. We all meet at Didima Ezemvelo wildlife offices at 8am to sign the hiking register and then we are off into the mountains for 4 days.

Doing this hike in June is perfect.

June can get a little chilly in the Drakensberg with temps dipping below zero but because we only get to 2200m above sea level the temps are a lot milder. Great for beginner hikers of people that feel the cold. Check here on how to prepare for you hike with me.

Day 1 is about a 5 hr hike as we walk past Doreen Falls to get to our camp below the Camel. This is quite a special camp site where we can look up at Cleft Peak over 1000m above us. This day is 6km from 1400m to 2200m.

The next 2 days are walking along the contour path looking up at the Drakensberg escarpment.

Day 2 and 3 are up to 15km each but flattish. You can expect up to 5 hrs of hiking a day. That means time to relax and enjoy the quiet afternoons. We cross over crystal clear mountain streams and little forests as we follow the contour path. A highlight is climbing up Gatberg to sit inside the hole. Our last night is camping below Sterkhorn and Cathkin Peak.

The last day is a 6km walk to Monks Cowl car park. Here we are picked up and driven back to your cars at Didima. This takes an hour so we should arrive there by 12pm.

Drakensberg Hiking Package Options

We have differentiated between options for porters for your hike using ‘Gold’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Bronze’ as the options to choose from, so remember to select the correct option on your enquiry or hike form when you contact us.

We understand that the Gold, Silver and Bronze packages might seem a bit confusing, so we have done some calculations to assist you with which one will be most suitable for you, and to ensure that you have the most enjoyable hike possible!

It is a good idea as part of your hike preparation to do some extra walking anyway, so while doing a walk of approximately 5km, including some uphill and downhill parts, carry a pack with the pack weight listed in the description of the package you are interested in. If you are quite comfortable with that weight, then that is the right option for you.

If you find yourself battling, and don’t have time to do some more preparation, then consider moving to a different package.

All three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent.

GOLD

Fully Portered Drakensberg Hike

You carry only a day-pack containing your own with drinks, snacks and jacket for each day.

Includes 3 meals a day!

You will not be carrying a standard hiking backpack at all, instead we will supply you with a 35l drybag into which you will put all your personal gear for our porters to carry.

The day pack you will carry weighs approximately 4kg.

Sleeping bags, tents, etc are carried our porters who also put your tent up!

SILVER

Partially Portered Drakensberg Hike

You carry a backpack with your clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, wash kit, and water bottle.

Includes 3 meals a day!

The pack weight you will carry on the Silver Package is approximately 14kg.

Tents etc are carried and put up by our porters.