Things to do near
Royal Natal National Park
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Hiking Trail
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Royal Natal National Park (World Heritage Site) and surrounds (2.2 km from Royal Natal National Park) Located in the Royal Natal National Park, the Devils Hoek Valley hiking trail takes you from the Tugela River car park, all along the Tugela Valley and then up the Devil's Hoek tributary. A fantastic hike that gradually elevates with amazing views.
Duration: 4 Hours;
Distance: 15 km;
Grade: E.
Dams Vleis
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Clarens (24.3 km from Royal Natal National Park) The Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve is situated 23 km from Harrismith. It has several excellent trails for visitors to meander upon. The reserve is a favorite with bird lovers, holding over 200 bird species, such as mountain reedbuck, oribi, woodpecker, yellowwood and redwood.
The terrain varies from veld to forest to kloof. Wildlife is not prominent but there are several antelopes to be spotted. Every year in February the reserve hosts the annual Catamaran Championships on the 7,000 ha dam. Visitors can also enjoy water sports activities such as fishing and canoeing.
Dams Vleis
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Harrismith (29.1 km from Royal Natal National Park) The vast expanse of water which is the Sterkfontein Dam lies a few kilometres from the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment in the topmost reaches of the Vaal Dam catchment on the Nuwejaarspruit. The cool, fresh, deep waters are ideal for trout and other fish and it is a popular angling spot. It is the third largest dam in South Africa providing a perfect playground for sailing and other watersports. The surrounding landscape is scenically stunning - characterised by rugged mountains, lush ravines and rolling grasslands.In this beautiful setting is the Sterkfontein Dam Reserve covering 18 000 hectares. Perfect for long walks, hiking (there is a two-day hiking trail) and biking, it also offers excellent game viewing and bird watching. You can tick off oribi, reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, grey rhebuck, the bald ibis, the blue and whitebellied korhaan, the buffstreaked chat, the ground woodpecker and the sentinel. Gaze up to the sky and you could spot bearded and Cape vultures as well as Verreaux's (black) and martial eagles soaring. Secretary birds can also be spotted in treetops or stalking in the grasslands.The precipitous ravines are populated with yellowwood, wild peach, koko, silky bark, and black bark trees as well as bush guarri. Wild grape has twined into the tree tops where they form a dense leafy canopy. Fungi and lichen nestle against living and rotten tree trunks. Mountain slopes are adorned with wild myrtle, redwood, ouhout, hush guarri, highveld protea, silver sugarbush and the scarce tree fern.
Galleries and Museums
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Golden Gate Highlands National Park (30.3 km from Royal Natal National Park) Visit a living museum with reconstructions of traditional homesteads from the 1700s to today. Resident guides show and tell how the Basotho ran their daily activities. Visitors can meet the local chief, sample traditional beer, join story-telling evenings, traditional games competitions and play a game of morabaraba. The village also offers an art gallery, photographic exhibition, arts and crafts shop and a restaurant.
Hiking Trail
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Golden Gate Highlands National Park (39.6 km from Royal Natal National Park) The Rhebok Hiking Trail covers 31 km of spectacular mountainous terrain in two days and is only suitable for fairly fit hikers. The circular route passes numerous streams, rock pools, ravines and waterfalls. Eland and black wildebeest can often be seen grazing on the grassy slopes.
The overnight hut is situated in an incredibly scenic spot next to a stream. Start early on both days and pack for changeable weather conditions – anticipate thunderstorms in summer or snow, sleet and mist in winter.
Duration: 2 days and 1 night
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 31 km
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (41.1 km from Royal Natal National Park) The 10 km Cathedral Peak Hiking Trail is a tough 6 to 7 hours hike requiring a high level of fitness. Start from Cathedral Peak Hotel and walk up the footpath to the Cathedral Ridge. A fair amount of rock scrambling is often required in the gorge below Cathedral Peak.
Duration: 6 – 7 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (41.1 km from Royal Natal National Park) The Cathedral Peak to Ndedema Contour Path is a difficult three-hour hike. Start at Cathedral Peak Hotel and head up to the contour path below the Cathedral Peak range. Follow the trail south beneath the main ridge and return by descending the Ndedema Gorge.
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 3.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (41.1 km from Royal Natal National Park) The 5.5 km route to the Blue Pool and Nyosi Grotto is graded as an easy hike. The trail starts at the Cathedral Peak Hotel and heads south along the Nyosi River. This worthwhile trail in the Cathedral Peak area usually takes about two hours.
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (41.1 km from Royal Natal National Park) The three-day hiking trail to the Two Passes and Cleft Peak Escarpment is graded as extreme and should only be attempted by fit, seasoned hikers. Starting at the top of Mike's Pass near the Cathedral Peak Hotel, the 40 km route zigzags up the long ridge to the sharp incline of the Organ Pipes Pass. From there it’s a steep descent via the Mlambonja Pass.
Duration: 3 days
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 40 km
Nature Reserves
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Golden Gate Highlands National Park (41.3 km from Royal Natal National Park) Famous for its golden sandstone cliffs and abundant antelope and zebra herds, Golden Gate Highlands National Park nestles in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains.
The park is named for the glowing golden cliffs lit by the sun, particularly the imposing Brandwag rock. Wildlife you are most likely to see include black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and Burchell's zebra. If you're lucky you could spot the rare bearded vulture (lammergeyer) and the equally rare bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs. Try to visit the Vulture Restaurant.
Ribbokkop, the highest point in the park, reveals a breath-taking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its warm shades merge with the cool mountain shadows towards evening. Other stunning lookouts are the Zuluhoek lookout point, Generaalskop viewpoint (third highest point in the park); Oribi Basin and Drakensberg view. Hikers can chose from various day trails (varying from 1 hour to 5 hours) or the awesome two-day Rhebok Hiking Trail (2 days and 1 night).
Up for an African cultural experience? Get to experience the Basotho way of living dating back to the 16th Century by tasting traditional cuisine and learn about the traditional equipment and weapons at the Basotho Cultural Village. The Herbal Trail introduces visitors to the medicines that were (and still are) used by the African Traditional Healers.
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (41.9 km from Royal Natal National Park) The 11 km route up the Mlambonja Pass to Twins Cave is a strenuous day’s climb. The steep trail heads up from the Cathedral Peak Hotel and past the trout hatchery, following the Mlambonja River.
Duration: 6 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (42 km from Royal Natal National Park) Three hiking trail options in the Mlambonja Valley range from a moderate 30-minute walk to a two-hour hike. All hikes begin at the Cathedral Peak Hotel: the shortest 1.5 km route descends into the lower valley, Neptune’s Pool is a 4.2 km hike and the trail to Marble Baths is 5.2 km.
Duration: 30 minutes – 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distances: 1.5 km, 4.2 km, 5.2 km
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (42 km from Royal Natal National Park) The Oqalweni Valley Trail is a moderate 16.5 km hike that starts at the Cathedral Peak Hotel. The trail passes Shermans Cave and then veers left to the uppermost part of the Oqalweni Valley and back.
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 16.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (42 km from Royal Natal National Park) The 10 km route up Tarn and Tryme Hills is usually a 4-hour hike for fairly fit hikers. Part of the trail explores forest, a tributary of the Mhlonhlo River and a few waterfalls. Magnificent views of the escarpment and close proximity with high spires and buttresses characterize this trail.
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Trail
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Cathedral Peak (42 km from Royal Natal National Park) The hiking trail from Tseketseke campsite is graded a moderate to severe trak of almost 10 km. This route traverses the imposing mountains between Cathedral Peak and Champagne Castle that lie directly below Cleft Peak.
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Distance: 9.5 km