Cathedral Peak is a 3kms high mountain in the Drakensberg Mountain range in western KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The mountain is where road travel ends and walking begins, and the hues of the steep cliffs and cascading waterfalls change as the sun moves overhead. The high altitude ushers in champagne air with only the occasional baboon bark heard for miles.
Reaching Cathedral Peak is via a well maintained road network from the main centres, however, the last stretch to the resorts and hotels around the mountain is over a gravel road.
In summer, the area experiences high rainfall and warm temperatures averaging 21° Celsius, while winters are cool and dry with regular snow on the peaks.
The facilities offered in the Cathedral Peak area are ideal for corporate events and weddings – the mountain backdrop rivals any setting for photographs of your big day, while for leisure seekers, this region is truly an outdoor paradise.
Top 6 reasons to visit Cathedral Peak
1. You can enjoy the fresh air on a guided hike along the Doreen Falls Trail, to visit the waterfall and an ancient San rock art site, before resting up at one of the many rock pools. Be on the lookout for shy buck and teeming birdlife in the indigenous forest.
2. Other ways to appreciate the beauty surrounding you is by air in a helicopter, hot air balloon or microlight, or a drive up to the top of Mike’s Pass, or on horseback. Certain resorts offer quad biking and the area has several established mountain bike routes.
3. Fly fishing is a popular pastime in the rivers that tumble down from the mountain peaks. Guests can enter the Didima Camp for trout fishing in the resort. A nominal fee is charged and there is a 10 trout bag limit.
4. The Cathedral Peak Hotel welcomes visitors to their 9-hole golf course set amongst pristine bush. Alternate tees are available to extend your game to 18 holes.
5. Visit the Cathedral Peak Wine Estate in Winterton for wine tasting of their unique Pinotage-based wines. The wines can be paired with unusual menu items such as kudu carpaccio. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
6. The clear night air around Cathedral Peak is perfect for you to sit on the patio and enjoy stargazing. Try and identify the Southern Cross (crux constellation) and an upside-down Orion.
Transport
The nearest international airport from Cathedral Peak is King Shaka International in Durban, 260kms away. Alternatively, OR Tambo International in Johannesburg is a 410kms drive. Chartered flights operate to Newcastle Airport, 180kms from Cathedral Peak. Car hire companies are at all airports and major towns, or a vehicle can be ordered online. We suggest a 4x4 vehicle for a comfortable drive on the gravel roads beginning at Winterton and Bergville, particularly during the rainy season. Shuttle service companies operate at the airports, however, to best enjoy Cathedral Peak and surrounds, hiring a car is the practical choice.
Did you know?
South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is an avid fly fisherman and admits to having a weakness for the sport (…and single malt whiskies!).
Scrumpy Jack's Farmstall is worth a stop to purchase the owner’s popular homemade sauces and preserves. Scrumpy Jack’s introduced the world’s hottest chilli, the Trinidad Scorpion, to South Africa. Scoville units are used to measure heat and this chilli is practically off the scale.
