When last were you awestruck? South Africa is home to one of the most impressive mountain ranges on the globe. The Drakensberg is a 1 000-kilometre long escarpment that contains breathtaking ridges and valleys. Here, Cathedral Peak spirals into the meeting point of heaven and earth.
GO: Set off on a journey that takes you three hours from the city of Durban. Wind your way higher and further away from the sea. In the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, Cathedral Ridge cuts a jagged skyline.
SEE: A short drive from Cathedral Peak Hotel, a startling amount of San rock art remains visible in Didima Gorge. With thousands of painted images, this strip of caves and overhangs contains a high concentration of South Africa’s rock art. Some of these precious artworks have been around for millenia, and were produced using natural powders and plants mixed with fat. Visit the Didima Rock Art Centre to learn about the San people through exhibits and guides.
Glimpse wildlife adapted to the mountains, from troops of cheeky baboons to eland. These regal buck inspired the San, and feature prominently in their paintings. The flora of Cathedral Peak is abundant – ground orchids, lilies, and proteas bloom every year, while yellowwoods and bottlebrushes yawn above them.
DO: Trek through the dramatic terrain. From a two-hour amble to Doreen Falls, or a guided hike up the 3 000-metre Cathedral Peak, you’re sure to find a trail that suits your abilities.
Fish for trout in the Mlambonja River. March and April are the best months to go, after heavy rains and the breeding season leave the water churning with life. Some lodges offer fishing for free to their guests, but it’s best to plan ahead as permits may be required.
Get your heart pumping and run along challenging trails that lace this land, like the gruelling Cathedral Peak Trail Run spanning nearly 18 kilometres. But don’t get stuck looking at your feet – remember to take in this monumental landscape.
Ancient stillness exudes from these mountains. In Cathedral Peak, appreciate your moment in South African history.
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