Walks & Hikes
Walks & hikes leaving from & returning to our hotel
Cathedral Peak Hotel is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the Drakensberg, surrounded by mountains on all sides and offering an unrivalled opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of this glorious park. There are 18 walks/hikes that leave from and return to the hotel, accommodating all levels of fitness, skill and ability.
Daily complimentary guided hikes are offered including highlighted walks with the novelty of tea, coffee and rusks in the mountains, bird watching and Bushman San Art Sites.
Check out all our hikes below, choose how challenging or relaxing you want your hike to be, and head off on an unforgettable adventure!
Ashlea’s Amble
40 minutes round trip
Difficulty: Easy
For an easy and highly enjoyable family walk, Ashlea’s Amble (named after the Proprietor’s daughter) is a round trip following the uMhlonhlo river with stunning rock pools perfect for taking a quick dip on a hot summers day.
Belinda Falls
30 minutes round trip
Difficulty: Easy (please note that there is a fairly steep climb on the return journey)
There’s no better way to spend time with your family than clambering over rocks and up streams in the mountains. Belinda Falls, named after the Hotel’s Proprietress, is the closest waterfall to the Hotel and after heavy rains can be quite an impressive sight.
Lake Jarred Viewpoint
30 to 40 minutes round trip
Difficulty: Very gentle walk
An easy level walk to benches situated above Lake Jarred (named after the Proprietor’s son) where you can relax and take in the gorgeous views. This viewpoint is particularly ideal for enjoying a bottle of sparkling wine while watching the sunset behind Cathedral Peak.
Umlambonja Valley
1.5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Gentle to easy
After the initial climb up to the helipad and soccer field this is a relatively easy walk which gives you magnificent views of the mountains and returns back to the Hotel via Lake Byron (named after the Proprietors son). Join the guided hike and be rewarded with a beautifully-preserved collection of San Art paintings.
Doreen Falls
1.5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Gentle walk
Named after Albert van der Riets wife, these are the most frequently visited falls in the area. At the base of the falls is a cool, shady and spacious spot for hot summer days with a deep pool perfect for swimming. You can also walk behind the falls if you are prepared for a scramble.
5km Jogging trail
3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Our jogging trail offers an exciting trip round the top of the property. After only a short while you are out of sight of the hotel, with the feeling that all of creation is yours to own and enjoy. Crossing little streams and passing through wild grassy stretches, the trail takes you towards the Tseketseke and uMlambonja Valleys.
Oqalweni Fern Forest
2 hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
This beautiful hike takes you to a shady indigenous forest, almost under the shadow of Cathedral Peak itself, with impressive ferns and tall yellowwood trees, spotted with a few natural pools. It is very rewarding to take a walk a little bit higher up the river and see the flora and fauna.
Blue Pools
2.5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Situated in the Tseketseke Valley this is a truly special destination with the reward of taking a dip in a cool, bubbling stream. You’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Drakensberg escarpment and as it is relatively level, it’s perfect for a family outing.
Albert Falls
2.5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Keep going a little further past Doreen Falls up a rocky section which then levels out to find Albert Falls named after the Hotel’s founder. Revel in a delightful waterfall and take a dip in the gorgeous natural rock pool below.
Lake William
2.5 to 3 hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Lake William named after the Hotel’s Proprietor is on the northern boundary of the hotel estate, under Baboon Rock. Along the walk you will have unusual views of the whole hotel property, with Cleft Peak as a backdrop as well as magnificent opportunities for photographs of the Cathedral range of mountains.
Neptune’s Pool
4 hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Traverse grasslands, cross rivers, hike through riverbeds marked with stone cairns to reach this magical destination. Sunny rocks alternate with cool shaded indigenous forest, and best of all, the deep pool is perfect for a swim or to dip your toes in during the cooler months.
Rainbow Gorge
4.5 to 5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Venture through the grasslands below Tryme Hill into a beautifully shady forest. Crossing the river several times, you will arrive at the spectacular site of a large boulder wedged between two walls of rock. Continuing a little further up the river, and you’ll see the sunlight catching the waterfalls, creating the rainbows which give the gorge its name.
Mushroom Rock
3 hours round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
A natural sculpture formed from wind and rain erosion on the golden Sandstone. Don’t forget to bring your camera on this hike – this unusual rock formation combined with beautiful views of the Cathedral Peak mountain range present a truly incredible photo opportunity from atop the ridge.
Ribbon Falls
3.5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Heading past Doreen Falls the clearly-marked path takes you up into the Drakensberg foothills. Be rewarded with stunning panoramic views down the valley towards the hotel, venture into Ribbon Falls cave and finally reach the beautifully high and elegant waterfall itself.
One Tree Hill
3.5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Setting off on the same route as Oqalweni Fern Forest, crossing the uMlambonja and then zigzaging up the side of the foothill on the left head to the top of One Tree Hill. As you reach the summit and look down at the breath taking view, you can be proud that you have reached an altitude of 1958m – 488m above the hotel.
Baboon Rock
4 hours round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
An unusual formation of rocks showing the profile of a baboon’s forehead and muzzle is prominently visible from the hotel grounds. Traverse grassy hills, clamber up rocky areas, pass indigenous forest and be rewarded with spectacular views from the top of the baboon’s ‘head’. Don’t forget to bring a camera along.
Ribbon Falls, Camel & Mushroom Rock
5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
This circular walk is a favourite and offers the advantages of being able to experience many aspects in one walk. You can stop off at Doreen Falls, go into the base of Ribbon Falls, and on a clear day, enjoy a 180° panoramic view of the mountains from Cathedral Peak all the way around to Cathkin Peak, before heading down and coming past Mushroom Rock.
Cathedral Peak
9 to 10 hours round trip
Difficulty: For the fit only, and those who do not suffer from heights
One of the finest climbs in the district at an altitude of 3004m with the actual distance covered being +19km return. The day-long expedition takes up to 10 hours, depending on the group’s fitness. Sections include scrambles up steep rock faces and narrow ledges (guides supply ropes), and all this must be done after aptly-named sections such as “Swine Hill” and “Buggers Gully”. The hotel’s professionally trained guides lead the hike every Wednesday and Saturday depending on the weather. Those who achieve the summit are rewarded with magnificent views and an unbeatable sense of satisfaction.
Please note that this is a guided hike only, and booking is essential.
