3 day – 2 night Amphitheatre Summit hike
Day One:
Set off from Sungubala (4800ft). Today includes a good deal of climbing, but in stages. Total ascent for the day is 1500m over a distance of about 25kms.
The first ascent takes one through Sugar Loaf Gap and onto the summit of the Little Berg. The route goes over Cold Hill (7000ft) with spectacular views of the Royal Natal National Park and Amphitheatre. The path then maintains a fairly easy gradiented contoured route towards Witsieshoek Mountain Resort. From this point one follows the access road to the Sentinel Car Park and overnight stop. The group spends the night in the simple, but comfortable bunk house at the Car park. (15 – 20kms)
Day Two:
Making an early start one gradually ascends 2000ft over approx: 12 kms to the top of the Main Escarpment (9600ft). The walk is punctuated with superb views looking down into Kwa Zulu Natal along the Amphitheatre wall and across to the Devil’s Tooth and Eastern Buttress. There are two ascent options: The Gully and Chain Ladder. The Gully is more physical and summits on top of the Beacon Buttress, the Chain Ladder (40m) is the quickest route on a solid steel ladder that is bolted to the rock face. Once on top one heads for the lip of the Thukela Falls (850m). In summer the flow can be quite good and one can see the whole fall as it drops into the Thukela Gorge below. In Winter one overlooks the iced waterfall and its huge icicles. Other view points include: The Window, Mont aux Sources (3282m) and Bilanjil falls. After lunch one may return via the Gully or Chain Ladder to make a round trip, back to the Car park for another night. This day can be taken leisurely and is about 15 – 20km in total.
Recent times have necessitated sleeping at the Car park, rather than on the summit, because of safety issues.
Day Three:
Another early start to descend to Witsieshoek Hotel again. From here one will descend through the Little Berg, via the top of Gudu Falls and the Mudslide to reach the Contour path. Having had lunch at the Royal Natal Grotto, the contour path brings one to the top of Surprise Ridge for one last view of the Main Escarpment, before the final descent back to Sungubala. (20 – 25kms)
This route provides 3 long days of superb scenery, where one can always follow a path. It is not a technical route.
