Experience Uthukela: Drakensberg, Hiking Trails and Culture

The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains are among the tourist destinations in the uThukela District Municipality. The Tugela Falls are also located in the uThukela region. At Royal Natal National Park, hiking trails and picnic spots meet the history of a protected area that was declared a national park in 1916.

Hiking trails with different time requirements

Royal Natal National Park is a well-known hiking area, offering hiking trails and attractive picnic spots for families. When planning a hike, it is worth considering the distance and duration: the Cathedral Peak Hike starts and ends at Cathedral Peak Hotel. The “Up The Tugela River (Gorge) to the Tunnel” hike is a 23 km out-and-back route from the Mahai camp site and takes approximately seven hours. The 19 km Cathedral Peak Hike takes at least twelve hours. The two hikes therefore differ not only in distance but also in the stated time required.

Distance information is also helpful when comparing multi-day hikes. The Amphitheatre Heritage Trail ends at Royal Natal National Park, covers 25 to 30 km over three days, and can start at places including Witsieshoek. The Icidi Pass hike starts and ends at the Mnweni Cultural Centre in the Mnweni Valley, takes at least three days and is extremely difficult. Route conditions may change; check the latest information before setting out on a hike.

Nature, fossils and archaeological sites

Wagendrift Dam and Moor Park Nature Reserve covers approximately 980 ha and includes a picnic and fishing spot. As the condition of facilities may change, check before your visit. Rugged Glen Nature Reserve is part of the Drakensberg uKhahlamba Park and borders the northern foothills of Royal Natal National Park.

On the southern side of Wagendrift Dam are extensive fossil beds, with numerous petrified trees exposed at the surface. Makhabeni Hill offers a different glimpse into the past: overlooking Moor Park, it is home to an Iron Age archaeological site dating to around 1300 AD. The two sites thus represent different geological and archaeological themes.

History and cultural experiences

Historic battlefields are among the tourist destinations in the uThukela District Municipality. Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Anglo-Boer War. Ladysmith Siege Museum is a stop on the Battlefields Route; these connections make history a subject in its own right for visitors.

In the Drakensberg area, cultural travelers can explore rock paintings. Mnweni Cultural Village is a cultural tourism attraction in this area. Thandanani is a cooperative of local artisans that sells handicrafts typical of the region.

Other activities include the Drakensberg Canopy Tour, which takes place in an indigenous forest in the Central Drakensberg, in the shadow of Cathkin Peak. Drakensberg Horse Trails offers a riding experience in the Northern Drakensberg that includes mountain climbs, river crossings and rides across plains. In the Okhahlamba tourism area, free guided tours of Eskom’s Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme (Tuva) are also offered. Check before your trip whether a tour is available.

Discover more destinations: Bonjaneni, Ladysmith, Estcourt, Loskop, Colenso, Cremin, Waaihoek, Mansana.

For the broader travel overview: Kwazulu-Natal.