Galleries and Museums
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Winterton The Winterton Museum is located in the majestic Drakensberg region. It was opened in 1993 by Sheila Henderson and displays the history of the local farming communities in the area, the early inhabitants from the Stone Age, the Iron Age, the San people, the Voortrekkers and the early English settlers.
There are various historical items and reproductions of San art as well as a gallery with San paintings and photographs of local San art. Other displays include the first South African democratic elections, the battles of Spieoenkop and Vaalkrans, and a blacksmith shop featuring the Weston Caravan. There is also a reconstructed Zulu beehive kraal built with traditional materials and methods used by the local Ngwane people's ancestors.
The outstanding private collection of Boer War books are excellent guides for those planning to visit the battlefields in the area.
Things to do near
Champagne Valley
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Shops
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Winterton (6.8 km from Champagne Valley) Kwazulu Weavers produce hand-woven woolen carpets and homemade candles. The mini putt-putt course keeps the little ones busy while parents are shopping. Grab a bite to eat afterwards at the Waffle Hut.
Golf Courses
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Winterton (7.4 km from Champagne Valley) 9-18 hole golf course! Many well known players have played here before!
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve (15.1 km from Champagne Valley) The trail over Champagne Castle via Gray's Pass is an extreme but blissful 19 km trek in hiking paradise. This route ascends the Mhlwazini Valley between Champagne Castle and Monk's Cowl. Knockout views are ample reward for the physical effort required to do this hike.
Duration: 2 – 3 days
Difficulty: Extreme
Distance: 19 km
Nature Reserves
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Drakensberg (15.5 km from Champagne Valley) The Monks Cowl Nature Reserve is located in the Ukhahlamba Darkensberg Park. It is named after the peak located between the scenic mountains of Champagne Castle and Cathkin Peak.
There are numerous hiking routes that pass through the magnificent valleys and forests of the Northern Drakensberg. The routes vary in intensity and length, ranging from a few hours to a few days. Accommodation has to be arranged beforehand for those who are interested in doing more than a one-day hike.
The foothills have many caves to explore, most of which were used by the San people. The 'Battle Cave' has rock art portraying a battle between two San tribes.
Galleries and Museums
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Winterton (15.6 km from Champagne Valley) The Winterton Museum is located in the majestic Drakensberg region. It was opened in 1993 by Sheila Henderson and displays the history of the local farming communities in the area, the early inhabitants from the Stone Age, the Iron Age, the San people, the Voortrekkers and the early English settlers.
There are various historical items and reproductions of San art as well as a gallery with San paintings and photographs of local San art. Other displays include the first South African democratic elections, the battles of Spieoenkop and Vaalkrans, and a blacksmith shop featuring the Weston Caravan. There is also a reconstructed Zulu beehive kraal built with traditional materials and methods used by the local Ngwane people's ancestors.
The outstanding private collection of Boer War books are excellent guides for those planning to visit the battlefields in the area.
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve (16.1 km from Champagne Valley) The challenging 6.5-km hike along Langalibalele Pass to the Main Caves
starts at Giant's Castle main campsite. Although the route is steep, the pass is actually one of the shortest in the Drakensberg.
Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Distance: 6.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve (16.3 km from Champagne Valley) The easy circular walk to Champagne Pools
starts 1 km from the main gate. Popular with picnickers, the route offers secluded pools for swimming and fishing.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve (16.8 km from Champagne Valley) The hike to Giant’s Hut via Giant’s Castle Pass
is a punishing 4-hour trek. The steep 6 km trail starts at Giant's Castle Camp and continues up to the top of Little Berg. Not suitable for inexperienced hikers.
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve (20.8 km from Champagne Valley) Starting at Injisuthi Camp, this popular day hike climbs through beautiful indigenous forest with some magnificent specimens of yellowwood trees.
Once you emerge from the forest, you’ll be able to see wonderful views of Cathkin Peak, Monk’s Cowl, Ship’s Prow, the Greater Injisuthi Buttress, the Red Wall and the Triplets. Try to get a very early start if you want to see clear views of the mountains. The clouds usually shroud the mountain by midday.
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve (29.4 km from Champagne Valley) The Marble Baths
Trail is a fair 9 km hike from Injisuthi camp. The route follows the footpath to Fergy's Cave. After 4 km, take the right fork along the Injisuthi River. Overnight in the cave at Marble Baths.
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9 km
Popular Attractions
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Bergville (30 km from Champagne Valley) The Northern Horse offers the experience of a lifetime in the Northern Drakensberg. Trusty mountain horses and ponies will take you up mountains, across rivers and cantering over plains in the breath taking foothills of this World Heritage Site. Trails vary from easy outrides on the Montusi Estate to steeper trails, all tailored to suit various levels of experience.
Popular Attractions
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Bergville (30 km from Champagne Valley) All Out Adventures offer over 100 km of well-marked mountain bike trails for all fitness and skill levels in the Northern Drakensberg. Extreme mountain bikers use this terrain to train for the Cape Epic, Sani and Joberg 2 C riders. Riders can choose between tough training rides and easy rides for families on a mountain biking holiday in the Berg. Maps are available.
Popular Attractions
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Bergville (30 km from Champagne Valley) Westline Aviation offer scenic helicopter flights in the Northern Drakensberg region. Flight solutions can be tailored to suit particular needs, corporate services, tourism and special events. They operate from Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort, Cathedral Peak Hotel and the Tower of Pizza .
Popular Attractions
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Bergville (30 km from Champagne Valley) All Out Adventures offers a thrilling cable ride through scenic forest. Speeds of up to 60 km per hour are reached between the 7 platforms, making it one of the fastest cable tours in South Africa. It also has one of the longest spans in the country – up to 240 m between the platforms. Great fun for the whole family.
Popular Attractions
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Bergville (30 km from Champagne Valley) Fly like Tarzan on an authentic circus trapeze. Instructors take you step by step through taking off to landing in the net. Die hard thrill seekers have the option of doing a knee hang and a back flip dismount.