Putterill Valley, Drakensberg

You won’t find much information about the Putterill Valley. This derth of description has little to do with the attractiveness of the area - if anything it is one of the most beautiful parts of the ‘berg - but rather it is the valley’s remoteness and location in the far reaches of the Northern Drakensberg Mountains that make those who know about it remain schtumm, in order to protect their hideaway.

The Putterill Valley lies just above the well known resorts of ‘the Cavern’ and ‘Alpine Heath’, almost exactly halfway between the two major cities of Johannesburg and Durban, and close to the border of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. This alone should mean that a lot of visitors, particularly from the northern parts of the country, head here, as it’s access for a long weekend is nothing like trying to reach the Central Drakensberg. That and the immediate sense of getting away from it all.

What this part of the world promises is incredible views of mountains, mountains and more mountains, and with this the peace and tranquility of unspoilt natural surrounds that include huge tracts of indigenous forest, mountain gorges and pretty streams.

Hikes around here abound and one can easily reach the likes of Thonsela Cave, Cannibal Cavern, Echo Cave and Sungubala. The Tugela River flows not far from here and an energetic walk will bring you to its gorge. Conversely scale the Amphitheatre in the Royal Natal National Park for incredible views and a sighting of the Tugela Falls.