Amphitheatre Heritage Trail

About Amphitheatre Heritage Trail

Start: there are numerous entrances, but Witsieshoek is one of them
Finish: Royal Natal National Park
Duration: 25 - 30 km over three days
Fitness: average, but it can be strenuous
Our tip: there is a gully alternative for those afraid of heights on the chain ladders

Walk the escarpment of the Drakensberg. The Heritage Trail scales the northern Drakensberg's hallmark – the Amphitheatre, a sheer basalt wall that is considered one of the world's most impressive cliff faces.

The Amphitheatre extends five kilometres, its sheer cliffs rising 1 220 metres along its length forming an imposing and solid wall. It extends between the Tugela Valley to the Lesotho plateau nearly 3 000 metres above sea level and the world's second tallest falls, the Tugela Falls, tumult down its craggy face into the Royal Natal National Park below.

The Amphitheatre Heritage Trail is a slackpacker trail designed specifically to help those who are not exceptionally fit to share the experience of the summit and its incredible views, with tented caps and lodges en route that include a hot bath and a comfortable bed at the end of each day.

You can opt for a guided tour with porters to carry your bags, making it easier to conquer the ascent, although you will still need a good dose of stamina to reach the Roof of Africa, and determination to climb the chain ladders.

There are variations of the hike to suit everyone:

If you're fit and want to experience the full impact of the hike, then you carry your own pack; if you'd prefer a porter, then your luggage is carried; if you're not as fit as you would like, then you stop more often, and if you want to rough it, then you can opt to sleep in caves overnight.