About Champagne Castle Big Five Hikes
Start: Champagne Castle Hotel
Finish: Champagne Castle Hotel
Duration: Varies per trail
Fitness: difficult
Our tip: if you want your name on the honours' board in the hotel you'll need to climb all five peaks, but you'll receive a certificate for every peak conquered
Champagne Castle, called such after the bottle of bubbly carried up the mountain by the first people to ascend the peak, that was then accidentally broken, is renowned for five 'big' peak hikes that are at once a mountaineering challenge and a feat.
They are: Matterhorn, Gatberg, Amphlett, Sterkhorn and Champagne Castle (the third highest peak in the 'berg).
Matterhorn
At 1 995 metres is the easiest of the hikes, although the route has eroded somewhat. Advantages are that you will be back in time for lunch if you set off at about 9am, and you can do this hike unguided.
Gatberg
Also known as Intunja, or eye of the needle, for the hole through its base, estimated at about 9 metres in diameter. It is one of the most dominent peaks of the Champagne Castle area. Hikers often include this peak on other hikes, like the one to Zulu cave, heading over the back ridge and up Gatberg, before going back down to Monk's Cowl.
Amphlett
Is 2 620 metres high, and a challenge; more of a mountain scramble than a hike.
Sterkhorn
At 2906 metres, is a demanding climb possible in a day, but regarded more as a rock climb than a hike (more for mountaineers than walkers). The path is eroded initially and not easy to follow, and when it reaches the rocky terrain it peters out completely. Follow the occasional cairn to the top, where you squeeze through a narrow chimney and scale a high rockface before making the summit.
Champagne Castle
At 3377 metres, this is one of the highest peaks in the 'berg. There are various routes to the summit, and the hike usually takes a few days (although the incredibly fit can do it in a day, they do miss out on drinking in the views), but the favoured route is over Gray's Pass.
Need to Know
WhereChampagne Castle, Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal
WhenBooking is essential.
How muchPrices on request.
Telephone+27 (0)36 468-1063
OvernightStay nearby in Champagne Valley, in KwaZulu Natal
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Find Champagne Castle Big Five Hikes in these collections
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity
* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.
Ondini Guest House & Cottage
Ondini comprises a double storey guest house which sleeps up to 10 people, and an adjacent open-plan cottage which sleeps 2-4 people. Ondini is g...
iKhayalamafu
High in the Monk's Cowl Reserve of the beautiful central Drakensberg Mountains and closer to paradise than anywhere else in the Champagne Valley....
The Zulu Hut and Inkunzi Cave
Situated in the foothills of the Central Drakensberg mountains, in the beautiful Champagne Valley, are three totally unique self-catering units. ...
Champagne Haven
Champagne Haven consists of three privately owned luxury chalets in the Mount Champagne Resort in the Central Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal. Two are...
Inqevu Lodge
Inqevu Lodge is located in the Champagne Valley area, just 22km away Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve. Inqevu means Bearded Vulture – an apt name wh...
Dragonview Lodge
Welcome to Dragonview Lodge. The first of its kind in the central Drakensberg, Dragonview Lodge is an environmentally sustainable boutique hotel....
Cathkin Cottage B&B
Cathkin Cottage offers warm hospitality and comfort in the heart of the Champagne valley, conveniently positioned and close to all restaurants an...
Birdsong Cottage 10
This beautiful holiday home in the Drakensderg offers absolute privacy. Set into the side of the lower reaches of Bergview, in a lovely garden, t...
Birdsong Cottage 9
Birdsong Cottage Number 9 is a magnificent self-catering home in the Central region of the mighty Drakensberg range of mountains. A sense of onen...
Ama Casa Cottages
Ama Casa Cottages feature three self-catering units, each equipped with a Jacuzzi, fireplace and underfloor heating, making them perfect for a wi...
Mountain Splendour Eco-Resort
Mountain Splendour is a little piece of paradise; tucked away on a small working farm, in the heart of the Champagne Valley in the Central Draken...
Inkungu Homestead
Welcome to our charming Inkungu Homestead nestled in the breathtaking Central Drakensberg mountains of South Africa! Situated amidst the awe-insp...
Inkungu Lodge
Inkungu Lodge is nestled in the heart of Champagne Valley, and is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Drakensberg mountain range. A bouti...
Dragon's Mist
Nestled beneath the captivating Drakensberg Mountains lies this luxurious three bedroom cottage perfect for a relaxing getaway whilst offering pl...
Inkosana Lodge
Inkosana Berg Lodge is nestled in the popular Cathkin Valley, Central Drakensberg. The Lodge set on 50 acres of beautiful land with stunning view...
AfriCamps Champagne Valley
AfriCamps custom-made boutique glamping tents are fully furnished and equipped for a convenient self-catering break. Each tent has an outdoor woo...
Monks Cowl Golf Resort
Monks Cowl Golf Resort is situated in the Central Drakensberg approximately four hours from Johannesburg and two and a half hours from Durban. Si...
Champagne Sports Resort
Champagne Sports Resort is situated in the Central Drakensberg, boasting the most spectacular view of Champagne Castle and Cathkin Peak. The uniq...
Ardmore Guest Farm
Situated in the scenic Champagne Valley in the Central Drakensberg at Ardmore Guest Farm you will enjoy stunning views of the three highest peaks...
Far Hills Guesthouse
Far Hills Guesthouse is located in the central Drakensberg, en route to Champagne Sports Resort, and neighbours Valley Bakery. It has always been...
Clivia Hill Guest Cottage
Clivia Hill Guest Cottage, situated on the banks of Bell Park Dam in the Central Drakensberg, offers self-catering accommodation for up to six gu...
Little Acres
Little Acres is located in Champagne Valley, Drakensberg and offers accommodation in a peaceful garden setting with surrounding trees. The proper...
Cayley Mountain Resort
Cayley Mountain Resort offers Champagne Valley accommodation, set in the central Drakensberg with views over the Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castl...
River Crossing
River Crossing Berg Accommodation is set on 100 acres of land with magnificent, panoramic views. Our stylish, luxurious and romantic décor, combi...
Hill Billy Cottages
Hill Billy Cottages are situated on a working farm in the Champagne Valley. The entrance driveway is lined with a avenue of pecan nut trees and t...
Other things to do in the area
Zulu Cave Hike
Start: Monk's Cowl / Mdedelelo Wilderness Area, northern DrakensbergFinish: Mdedelelo Wilderness AreaFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: Cat c...
Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre
Highly recommended (including a TripAdvisor Badge of Excellence), The Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre is found in Champagne Valley in the Draken...
White Water Tubing or Geckoing
Tube down a 450m stretch of class 1 rapids twice - almost a kilometre of fun - something the whole family can enjoy - Champagne Castle Adventure ...
Dragon's Rest Pub and Restaurant
The backdrop against which the Dragon's Rest Pub & Restaurant is, undoubtedly, one of its most irresistible draw cards. In fact, this little retr...
Abseiling in the Drakensberg
Abseil 25m down Chicken Hill, walk back up and then experience the thrill all over again. Chicken Hill is 15min walk from our office - Abseiling,...
Kloofing or Canyoning
Kloofing in the Injisuthi valley is a 6-7 hour round trip. The Injisuthi valley is the hidden gem of the Drakensberg, as it is situated in the r...
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 ...
Gray's Pass Hike
Start: Cathkin Peak, Champagne ValleyFinish: Cathkin Peak, Champagne ValleyDuration: overnight hikeFitness: moderateOur tip: fantastic views with...
Chocolate Memories Shop
Jane Seabrook said, “If there's no chocolate in Heaven, I'm not going.” Fortunately, you only have to go as far as the exquisite Drakensberg Moun...
Noteworthy attractions
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Monks Cowl is the gateway to some of the most magnificent mountain Wilderness areas in South Africa. Taking its name from the distinctive mountai...
Coleford Nature Reserve
You will find Coleford Nature Reserve near to the town of Underberg, south east of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Through its southern section ...
Brandon's Pass
Brandon's Pass is one of the highest mountain passes in the country. It has also earned its place on a list of 'dangerous roads' in South Africa....
Xumeni Forest
The mistbelt forest known as Gqumeni, or Xumeni Forest, is a patch of afromontane forest 2 km west of Donnybrook in the Underberg. Gqumeni is exc...
Ntsikeni Wildlife Reserve
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve consists of a rather inaccessible vlei lying high on a plateau between Franklin and Creighton, in a section of East Griqu...
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...
Matatiele Nature Reserve
The Matatiele Nature Reserve is a core protected area within the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area. It abuts the little town of ...
Mount Currie Nature Reserve
With no obvious official hiking trails up and around the mountain from whence it gets its name, Mount Currie Nature Reserve is a beautiful little...
Accommodation convenient to Champagne Castle Big Five Hikes
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