Cathedral Peak 3 Day Hike

Join us on a hike on this epic 3 day Cathedral Peak hike in the Central Drakensberg

Dear Olga,

I am interested in your profile very much. Please could you send naked photos before I send cash. .

Oh, wait, sorry. Our Apologies. Wrong website. I guess you are on this site because you are looking for some information on the 3 Day Cathedral Peak hike in the majestic Drakensberg mountains of South Africa. Well, as luck would have it, I have some time on my hands, so allow me to indulge you. The Cathedral peak hiking trail experience has been designed to incorporate a multi-faceted turnkey solution with a monosytemattical bespoke gearing ratio.

The economic impact on the strategic direction of the business unit will blah blah blah. Holy crap, I do not miss the corporate world at all.  Not sure what it even means. I’ve been out of the corporate world for a while now. Just thought it might be a good idea to add it. Make us sound clever and attract customers.

ABOUT THE CATHEDRAL PEAK HIKE

Right. Let’s start off by sorting the buyers from the spyers, the needy from the greedy, and those who trust me from the ones who don’t. Because if you can’t see value in our Cathedral peak hiking trail today, you’re not on our site shopping, you’re on it shoplifting. No, our hiking trips are not normal trips. They are some f*@cked-up skunk, class A, I-can’t-think-let-alone-move hikes-all with a dash of accomplishment, comradeship, good fun and awesome mountain scenery.

Cathedral Peak is situated in the Central Drakensberg. The hike covers about 23km over 3 days and is pretty much our introductory hiking experience in the Drakensberg. OK calm, down. What do we mean by ‘about’ 23km. We’re a professional company and are supposed to give you the exact calculations. Well, the last time we looked, the Cathedral Peak Drakensberg hike is not paved with rosy flower strewn paths. This also means that it is not as challenging as our other multi day hikes.

The first day of the hike covers a mere 4km with an altitude gain of about 300m. It usually takes us just over 2 hours to get into Sherman’s Cave, our humble abode for the night. And yes, you will be carrying a backpack with all your gear in it so cry us a river, build a bride and get over it. But fear not, it’s only a 2-hour hike, so suck it up sunshine. The good news is that the second days trek is without the backpacks. We set up a base camp in Sherman’s Cave.

That means we will return to the cave after the second day hiking. The second day is a tad more challenging. Our aim today is to get you to the summit of Cathedral Peak (3,004m) The distance walked today is about 16km with an altitude gain of about 1200m. So yes, there are going to be a few “why the heck did I sign up for this’ moments. But isn’t that what hiking in the Drakensberg is all about? You need to earn that summit and feel that incredible sense of accomplishment that only mountains can ignite.

The summit of Cathedral Peak offers some of the most incredible views of the Drakensberg.  In fact, once on top you are rewarded with a panoramic view of the Northern and Central Drakensberg starting with the Amphitheatre about 60km away to the Mnweni Cutback and right down to Cathkin Peak 40km south of you.

The primary spoken language when hiking in Drakensberg is screaming. Ok, it’s not that bad. Just make it happen. And no, that is not a threat. It was an exaggerated response to an uncompromising stance. We were taught never to make a threat unless we are prepared to carry it out and we are not fans of carrying anything. Even watching our clients carrying their heavy backpacks on Cathedral Peak makes us uncomfortable. Mainly because we are worried they will ask us to help carry the stuff.

FULLY SUPPORTED HIKING EXPERIENCE

We handle all aspects of the tour!!! From food to equipment to guides. So, stress not. We got it!!! We been doing this hiking type stuff for over 20 years.

THE CHALLENGES ON A CATHEDRAL PEAK HIKE?

90% of the trail covers single track paths that are pretty much’ non-scary’. The final summit push can be a tad daunting for a few. The last 200m involves a bit of clambering and climbing up a few steep sections. We set up safety ropes and tie you into them for added protection. Just letting you know so you know what to expect. It may seem that this is way out of your comfort zone but trust us…. its not that bad.

We have had over 400 people on the summit of Cathedral Peak. And guess what? Most people are reluctant to challenge themselves but always do. That’s what its all about!!!! Facing your fears and stepping out of your comfort zone. It makes that beer back in cave at base camp taste so much better. And of course, the photos that you will get are insane. Might even make a good Tinder profile picture to attract your soul mate.

Do You need to carry a backpack?

Yes, you will be required to carry a backpack that contains your sleeping bag, clothing and snacks. Shouldn’t be more than say 10kg. Porters can be hired but it shouldn’t be necessary as you only need to carry your gear on the first and last day.

COST TO HIKE THE CATHEDRAL PEAK HIKING TRAIL WITH SOUL ADVENTURES

I would love to get into an economical debate about economies of scale, but alas, more pressing matters await. As you can imagine, the hike takes a lot of preparation logistically. As well as having to put up with all the crying and emotional turmoil of our clients.

Our price on this bad boy hike is a ridiculously low. We are willing to accept reasonable offers for group bookings. And by reasonable, I don’t mean walk up to me and tell me you’ll give me R1,000 for it. That’s liable to earn you a Burmese-roundhouse-sphincter-kick with a follow up of the three fingered eye-jab. Would it hurt? Hell yes!! Let’s just say that you won’t be the prettiest person at a Justin Bieber concert anymore….it’s also quite difficult to pick up your teeth with broken fingers. 

Seems expensive? (seems like a quote is in hand compliments of A Guy called Ritchie) Well, this seems to be a complete waste of our time. Service and hiking fees for this calibre of fun and challenge is R5,000 in any country you’re lucky enough to find one in. And you’re haggling over the price? What school of finance did you come from? “It’s a deal, it’s a steal, it’s the Sale of the Century!” In fact, I think we’ll keep it!

THE 3 RULES OF MOUNTAINEERING IN THE DRAKENSBERG

1. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE MOUNTAIN – Mountains are always harder, higher and further than you think
2. CONSERVATION ON THE CATHEDRAL PEAK HIKE – Our hiking trips involve sleeping in tents or caves. No Holiday Inns or the Ritz I’m afraid. We follow a strict policy of: ‘minimum impact, leave no trace basis’. The Drakensberg mountains have a special place in our hearts and we are passionate about the environment in which we hike. All we ask is that our hikers leave only footprints. If you are really good you may be allowed to take a small stone home with you as a remembrance of your hike and summit tribulations.
3. TO POOH OR NOT TO POOH? THAT IS THE QUESTION – Ah yes, the inevitable nemesis of the modern office bearing person found in mountainous regions. Poohing. Hikers are faced with 2 options. Hold it in for 3 days. Yeah right. Or release the beast. Besides the backpacks, the most popular pack on our hikes are the toilet pack. And what is a toilet pack the man in the back row is asking? It consists of a trowel, toilet paper and a lighter. Now this is where the hiking adventure gets interesting for most people. When hikers need a number 2, ( a pooh for the less informed) while hiking in the Drakensberg for example, they need to dig a hole with trowel ( half a hole is not enough), do the number 2 and then bury the number two. A bit like a cat if you will. The toilet paper is then burned.