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.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
We discovered Putterill Valley quite by accident and can understand why its locals want to keep such a little gem a secret from the masses. We were warned about the high African skies, but we never imagined how amazing they would be.
Hulbert (Cornwall, UK)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Cayley Mountain Resort
Cayley Mountain Resort offers Champagne Valley accommodation, set in the central Drakensberg with views over the Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castl...
Willowbrooke Cottage
Willowbrooke Cottage offers guests a comfortable, unforgettable experience in a fully equipped and serviced self-catering cottage with 3 bedroom...
Woodys Cottage
Woodys Cottage is a quaint Drakensberg self catering cottage, which is situated on a private farm, close to a river just outside Himeville in the...
River Crossing Berg Accommodation
River Crossing Berg Accommodation is set on 100 acres of land with magnificent, panoramic views. Our stylish, luxurious and romantic décor, combi...
Garden Cottage at Wyford
Garden Cottage at Wyford Farm is on a small working farm, located in the mountainous area off Van Reenen Pass. Guests are accommodated in separat...
Ledges Retreat Guest Farm
Ledges Retreat Guest Farm offers bed & breakfast and self catering accommodation in a stunning area with scenic surroundings. There are a number ...
Penwarn Mziki Cottage
Penwarn Mziki Cottage offers Underberg accommodation on Penwarn Farm Lodge just 25km from the quaint town. As you drive down the Khyber Pass, you...
Protea Cottage at Highbourne
Protea Cottage is tucked away on the side of a mountain overlooking Cathkin Peak and Monks Cowl. It sleeps four people with one large open-plan b...
Pennygum Country Cottages
Pennygum Country Cottages offers four beautiful cottages with stunning 'picture postcard' views of the Southern Drakensberg Mountains just 6km fr...
Things to do in the area
Drakensberg Canopy Tour
Drakensberg accommodation is always special because it promises a place to stay in some of South Africa’s most spectacular countryside. The area ...
Noteworthy attractions
Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve
Lying virtually at the foot of the rugged Spioenkop Mountain, the dam was the site of one of the most bloody battles to ensue during the Anglo-Bo...
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandsto...
Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve
The Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, with its numerous free standing peaks and magnificent mountain scenery, is one of the most favoured parts of t...
Cobham State Forest
Cobham is situated in the Southern part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and is approximately 150 km from Pietermaritzburg. Dominated by Hodgs...
Garden Castle State Forest
Garden Castle is the southern most part of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and incorporates the Bushman's Nek Valley. The Garden Castle reserve i...
Giant's Castle Nature Reserve
Historic Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Drakensberg region of the Ukhahla...
Himeville Nature Reserve
The Himeville Nature Reserve stretches along the eastern boundary of Himeville Village and was proclaimed to its present size of 104 ha in 1973. ...
Kamberg Nature Reserve
Kamberg Nature Reserve, one of the smallest of the KZN Wildlife resorts, lies in the foothills of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park - one of the ea...
Lotheni Nature Reserve
Noted for its magnificent scenery and beautiful camp, Lotheni is situated in a remote section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Many delightful...
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