Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve

About Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve

The Cathedral range in the Drakensberg, with its numerous free standing peaks and magnificent mountain scenery, is one of the most favoured parts of the Berg for backpacking and rock climbing.

Did you know? Two other well known spectacular free standing peaks, the Column and Pyramid are situated south west of Cathedral Peak Forest Station in the Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve.

Bordered in the north and north-west by the Upper Tugela Location and in the south by the Mdedelelo Wilderness, the area is dominated by the spire like Cathedral Peak after which it is named.

Popular routes include Cathedral Peak itself, the Organ Pipes and Ndedema Gorge with its wealth of rock paintings.

The scenery of this area is dominated by the massive Cathedral range, also known as the Ridge of the Horns. This 4 km long row of free-standing peaks includes some of the most spectacular peaks in South Africa such as Cathedral Peak (3,004 m), Bell (2,930 m), The Outer Horn (3,005 m), Inner Horn (3,005 m) and the Chessmen.

The most popular excursions in this part of the Drakensberg is an ascent of Cathedral Peak. On a clear day the view from the summit is magnificent with Cathkin Peak in the south and Eastern Buttress in the north clearly visible.

Immediately below to the south-east, the scenery is dominated by the deep valley carved by the Mlambonja River.

Cathedral Peak is the only Berg area where you can drive to the top of the Little Berg, bringing you much closer to the escarpment. Access to the Little Berg is via Mike's Pass, a 10.5 km long 4x4 track. The pass ends at the Arendsig gate which is the starting point of routes to the renowned Ndedema Gorge, the Organ Pipes and the escarpment.