Walking in the Drakensberg: 75 walks in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park (Cicerone Guides) by Jeff Williams

Author:Jeff Williams [Williams, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781783624874
Publisher: Cicerone Press
Published: 2017-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

MONK’S COWL (1480M)

The needle top of Amphlett’s with Turret to its L

As you approach Monk’s Cowl you know straight away that you are in the close company of big mountains. Invariably it is the sturdy, flat-topped Cathkin Peak (3149m: in Zulu, ‘Mdedelelo’) that catches the eye. On closer inspection from the Reserve main gate you see to its right the spiky Sterkhorn (2973m), then further right again the smaller but rather obviously named ‘Turret’ and then Amphletts’ (2620m). Behind them on the R are the jagged points of the Dragon’s Back, running down N from the plateau.

The peak of Monk’s Cowl itself (3229m) is hidden behind Cathkin Peak. Both are serious climbs. Champagne Castle, at 3246m the third highest peak in the Drakensberg, is a shallow dome and lies south of Monk’s Cowl. It is more or less part of the escarpment as well as being invisible from the entrance to the Reserve. One of the stories relating to its naming is that the celebratory bottle of champagne had a fatal accident before opening after the first successful ascent. The mountain is easily ascended from the Little Berg, an arduous and long walk via Gray’s Pass. It really isn’t a day trip.

There are four start points for walks in this section. The first is the KZN Wildlife Office and the second the Champagne Castle Hotel, a bit further east along the road in. Walk 33 is a linear walk back from Injisuthi camp, to which your hotel will be able to give you a lift and Walks 35 and 36 set out from the Drakensberg Sun Hotel, which is just outside the park, to the north (see directions in the ‘Getting There’ section overleaf).

GETTING THERE

From OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg

Follow the N3 (SP Durban) to exit 230, turning E on N11 towards Ladysmith. After about 6km turn R onto R600 (SP Winterton) and continue back over the N3 to reach Winterton itself. The R600 leads round the E side of the town and goes R at the traffic lights. Cross the bridge and continue 35km to Monk’s Cowl.

From King Shaka International Airport, Durban

Leave the airport via the connection to the N2, the main N–S coastal route. Drive S for about 30km to the interchange with the N3 (SP Pietermaritzburg). Once established on the N3 heading N continue until you pass W of Estcourt. Take exit 179 and turn L (SP Loskop). After 24km go through Loskop village; another 6km brings you to the crossroads with R600. Turn L and drive for almost 20km to the Park entrance and Champagne Castle Hotel.

For the Drakensberg Sun Hotel, follow R600 and pass Cedarwood Shopping Centre (R) and the Champagne Sports Resort (L). Soon afterwards there is a road junction where the main road to Monk’s Cowl reserve goes straight on. Turn R here (SP) and the Sun is at the end of the road.

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