Drakensberg Northern Traverse Hike
This Drakensberg Northern Traverse hike is known to be one of the top 10 hikes in the world. You should do it!
Also known as the Mini Traverse the hike starts at the Amphitheatre and finishes at Cathedral Peak.
There is a reason why it is well known as one of the top 10 hikes in the world.
We certainly get to see some of the best mountain scenery South Africa has to offer.
The first night is spent camping on top of the Amphitheatre next to the 2nd highest waterfall in the world, the Tugela Falls. Here we are at 2950m above sea level. The Tugela Falls tumble down the huge Amphitheatre wall so you can imagine the views. This day is only 8km but takes up to 4 hours of walking because we are here to look at views and not rush.
Over the next few days, we wander along the escarpment edge where the views are best.
The next 2 days are similar in distance and time with 14km covered each day and taking up to 7 hours of walking through stunning mountain scenery. By day 3 we arrive at one of my favorite places above Rockeries Pass in the Mnweni area where all my porters live.
They love to show off their home to visitors.
Here we camp near a huge Cape Vulture colony. This is really an amazing place. After checking out the graceful vultures we walk behind the huge Saddle and a swim in a clear mountain stream. Lunch today is great. We have one of the best views while recharging our batteries.
Day 4 is slightly shorter with 11km done and arriving at our camp by 2pm.
Once here we can relax with a cup of tea and enjoy the Kwakwatsi river flowing past our camp. After a breakfast in the mug and bowl restaurant we head down Mlambonja pass for lunch at the contour path. So from 3000m we end up at 2000m and you can certainly notice how much oxygen there is now. Makes you feel strong. After lunch we walk along the contour path with the mighty cliffs way above us now.
Crazy to think we were just up there.
After 2km we arrive at our camp site below the Column and Pyramid. This day is around 7km but still takes up to 6 hours to do. We descend over 1000m so it is good to take our time. No rush in Africa you know.
Hike preparation is very important, so remember to have a look at our Drakensberg Hike Preparation page before joining us for this hike!
Day 6 is a bit sad as we finish at the Cathedral Peak hotel. This day takes 3 hours and is 9km long. And that is the end of the memorable Sentinel to Cathedral Northern Drakensberg traverse hike.
Sentinal to Cathedral Hike (Northern Drakensberg Traverse) Hike Difficulty: Challenging
Drakensberg Hiking Package Options
We have differentiated between different 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.
Gold
Our Gold Package is a Fully-Portered HikeAll three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent. |
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You carry only a day-pack with drinks, snacks and jacket for each day. Clothes, sleeping bags, tents, etc are carried and put up by our porters.You will be carrying a day pack weighing approximately 4kg. |
Silver
Our Silver Package is a Partially-Portered HikeAll three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent. |
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You carry a backpack with your clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, wash kit, and water bottle. Tents etc are carried and put up by our porters.The pack weight you will carry on the Silver Package is approximately 14kg. |
Bronze
Our Bronze Package is a Non-Portered HikeAll three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent. |
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You carry your own backpack with all your personal gear, including your tent which you will put up and take down, and your share of the food.
The pack weight you will carry on the Bronze Package is approximately 22kg. |
Souvenir’s of your Drakensberg Hike with us!
On all of our hikes you have the option to add a Souvenir Bundle to remember your hike by (in addition to the memories that will keep you going for years to come). All these items are available on our shop, but it is so much easier to get them when you do your hike, and benefit from the discounted pricing and not having to wait for us to ship it to you later!
We have different Souvenir Bundles to choose from and they include the following:
Basecamp‘Basecamp’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R550.00): |
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Ascent‘Ascent’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R955.00): |
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Summit‘Summit’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R1400): |
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On all our hike inquiry forms you can select the Souvenir Bundle of your choice, you will also have the option to select the size/s of the T-Shirts and Fleeces in your chosen bundle :-)
Please the form below the visual map to contact us about joining us for the Sentinel to Cathedral Northern Drakensberg Traverse Hike:
Drakensberg Hiking Package Options
We have differentiated between different 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.
Gold
Our Gold Package is a Fully-Portered HikeAll three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent. |
|
|
You carry only a day-pack with drinks, snacks and jacket for each day.
Clothes, sleeping bags, tents, etc are carried and put up by our porters. You will be carrying a day pack weighing approximately 4kg. |
Silver
Our Silver Package is a Partially-Portered HikeAll three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent. |
|
|
You carry a backpack with your clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, wash kit, and water bottle.
Tents etc are carried and put up by our porters. The pack weight you will carry on the Silver Package is approximately 14kg. |
Bronze
Our Bronze Package is a Non-Portered HikeAll three options (Bronze, Silver & Gold) include full catering, and the supply of your tent. |
|
|
You carry your own backpack with all your personal gear, including your tent which you will put up and take down each day, and your share of the food.
The pack weight you will carry on the Bronze Package is approximately 22kg. |
Souvenir’s of your Drakensberg Hike with us!
On all of our hikes you have the option to add a Souvenir Bundle to remember your hike by (in addition to the memories that will keep you going for years to come). All these items are available on our shop, but it is so much easier to get them when you do your hike, and benefit from the discounted pricing and not having to wait for us to ship it to you later!
We have different Souvenir Bundles to choose from and they include the following:
Basecamp‘Basecamp’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R550.00): |
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| |
|
Ascent‘Ascent’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R955.00): |
|
|
|
Summit‘Summit’ Drakensberg Hike Souvenir Bundle (R1400): |
|
| |
|
On all our hike inquiry forms you can select the Souvenir Bundle of your choice, you will also have the option to select the size/s of the T-Shirts and Fleeces in your chosen bundle :-)
Northern Drakensberg Traverse Route – Visual!
Have a look at the marvelous route we followed for our Northern Drakensberg Traverse recently … just imagine doing it yourself, why not try?!
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+27 33-396 3906 |
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+27 72-947 1174 | |
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ian@drakensberghiker.co.za |