Fion a M c In tos h ©Shaen Adey, Matthew Holt
Once through, a surprise awaits. In the crack are two enormous sandstone rock arches. Follow the cairns, scrambling over and squeezing under various boulders, until you finally emerge in the gully at the top. Turn left and walk along the plateau until you come to the trail at the top of the main crack, which will be your descent route. The marked trail to the Arch from here is undulating but straightforward, and will take around an hour and a half each way. Tel: (027) 482 2825 or check out www.cederbergwine.com.
Cathedral Peak, KwaZulu-Natal
The 20-kilometre return hike to the summit of one of the ‘Berg’s most iconic peaks is a big day in the hills, but the trail
www.intrepidexplorer.co.za
has everything an intrepid hiker could hope for: spectacular mountain scenery, weathered sandstone cliffs, trickling streams and waterfalls, and a final exposed scramble over slabs and rock steps, one of which is aided by a ladder. The trail starts just below the Cathedral Peak Hotel and the adventure begins almost immediately with a wade through the Mlambonja River. Initially it’s a glorious hike through the grasslands and around wonderful sandstone cliffs, then the graft begins as you slog up two relentless gullies to the summit pyramid. The view from the 3 004-metre summit, over the deeply incised vegetated valleys and across to the other dramatic peaks, is as good as you’ll get. Organise permits (and guides if you wish) at Didima Resort. Telephone (033) 845 1000, or visit www.kznwildlife.com.
The Intrepid Explorer issue 3
55