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Central Berg · Multi-Day Hike

Cathedral peak

Starting point: Cathedral peak hotel

Extreme

Distance

16.7 km

Elevation Gain

+1504m

Duration

1N/2D

Difficulty

Extreme

About this Trail

The Cathedral Peak hike is a classic adventure that leads you to one of the most recognizable freestanding peaks in the Drakensberg. Rising to 3,007 meters, Cathedral Peak offers stunning 360-degree views over the Central Berg. The route includes rock scrambles and steep sections, making it ideal for fit hikers with a love for dramatic summits and epic views.

Trail Highlights

Cathedral peak
Orange peel gap
Sherman Cave
Barkers Gulley

Route Profile

1475 m

at 0.0 km

Alt. m1,5002,0002,500
0.0 km4.2 km8.4 km13 km17 km

Drag the marker, or tap anywhere on the chart, to read elevation at any distance along the trail. Numbered points mark waypoints along the route.

Distance

16.7 km

Highest

2917 m

Gain

1504 m

Duration

8h 8m

Avg slope

18.0%

Max slope

163%

Difficulty

Extreme

Crux rating

Moderate

Slope distribution

0–5% · 21%
5–10% · 11%
10–15% · 19%
15–20% · 15%
20–30% · 20%
30%+ · 14%
Advanced route statistics

Longest climb

8.1 km

Longest descent

8.1 km

Steepest climb

163%

Steepest descent

-163%

Average altitude

2414 m

Running pace

12 min/km

Climb angle

10.2°

Total descent

1504 m

Daily Breakdown

Day 1

Day 1

Moderate

Distance

Elevation Gain

Day 2

Day 2

Moderate

Distance

Elevation Gain

Gallery

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Trail Info

RegionCentral Berg
Route typeOut and back
Distance16.7 km
Elevation+1504m
Duration1N/2D
Days2
DifficultyExtreme