WALKING IN THE DRAKENSBERG (CICERONE)

This guide provides the very best day-walks to explore these dramatic mountains. Graded from Easy through to Strenuous, the guide provides walks for those of all abilities, with the potential to combine routes into longer, multi-day treks. Days spent in unsurpassed country await, with crystal-clear rivers, striking views and possibilities from contour walking to scaling the heights of the National Park's most famous peaks.

Along with the route descriptions for the walks, this guidebook provides key information on the wildlife and geology of the area, as well as historic and cultural detail, information on the sights along the way and issues on safety in the mountains. The book also includes practical information on transport to and around the Drakensberg, accommodation options, maps, facilities within the Park and all information needed to make the most out of any trip to the Drakensberg.

• Seasons
  for long hikes: April, May and September are excellent; for wildflowers and birds: November and December; from mid-October to March rainfall is high, with thunderstorms in the afternoons
• Centres
  Royal Natal National Park, Cathedral Peak, Monk’s Cowl, Injisuthi, Giant’s Castle, Highmoor, Kamberg, Lotheni, Cobham, Garden Castle, Bushman’s Nek, all between Pietermartizburg and Harrismith
• Difficulty
  routes from 1km to 20km, easy strolls to strenuous day hikes, but be prepared for any weather conditions in almost every season
• Must See
  towering basalt cliffs (eg the Amphitheatre), 3000m mountains (eg Cleft Peak), deep gorges (eg Thukela with the second highest waterfall in the world); abundant wildlife; 2000-year old Bushman rock paintings