Drakensberg Wilderness Hiking South Africa - Mountain of the Dragons - Where Adventure beckons.....: Drakensberg - Walking in Lotheni

Quathlamba

“A mass of Spears. Named thus by the Zulu warriors before the white man came. Today called the Drakensberg, Mountains of the Dragon. Evocative names, both equally applicable to South Africa’s mightiest mountain range with its spear-like peaks – reminiscent of the saw-toothed spine of a gigantic dragon.”

“Listen to the streams as they gurgle from their cradles and you will hear the story of the mountains. You will hear fascinating tales if only you listen! Lie next to a stream and listen to the song of the mountains. The smiling faces of the flowers, dancing in the wind. Venture into the remote valleys or stand on a peak at sunrise or sunset, after snow has fallen, and you will hear a song that you will never forget - the Song of the High Mountain".

DRAKENSBERG WILDERNESS PHOTOS © WILLEM PELSER

“A world of indescribable and ever-changing splendour, of basalt giants that stand as sentinels on the roof of South Africa………..”

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Drakensberg

Walking in Lotheni

Yellowwood Cave and Ash Cave

South of Giant’s Castle, most of the entire southern half of the Berg falls into either the Mkhomazi or Mzimkhulu wilderness areas, studded within which, like raisins in a Christmas cake, are some of the small reserves such as Lotheni, Kamberg, Highmoor and Vergelegen. It is a place of big rivers, caves galore and numerous easy summit passes. Lotheni has a nice hutted camp and a camp site from which the popular peaks of Redi, the Hawk, and the Tent are reached. Lotheni Pass itself is neither easy nor convenient, but Hlathimba and Mlahlangubu passes to the south are much easier. Redi Peak is a favorite for summit hikers to bag and often the aim of hiking parties.

Yellowwood Cave

Route: From the camp up the Lotheni and kaMashilanga valleys.

Distance: 14 km return

Duration: 3 hours each way

Grade: Strenuous

General: This cave sleeps only 4 people comfortably, is located in a narrow gorge, and is therefore cold in winter. It is [probably the most popular stopover en route to the summit, as it is found on the KaMashilenga Pass route. However, don’t be fooled by appearances: this path is not recommended as it involves some tricky negotiating through large boulders and rank vegetation.

From Lotheni camp site follow the path up the left-hand bank of the river for 5 km, past the eMpophomeni falls. About 1 km past the falls the path splits around the imposing Little Berg headland and the path then follows the left-hand bank of the left-hand fork. The route up the Lotheni to the right, the old path to Ash Cave, is now closed. A forest stretch lines the south-facing right hand bank of the stream, and Yellowwood Cave is reached just short of 2 km from the previous fork, at a break in the forest and on the left-hand side of the valley.

To ascend the pass, if you insist on taking this route, cross the first tributary almost immediately after leaving the cave and the ill-defined path that sticks to the left-hand bank of the river all the way to the summit. It’s 6 km to the top of the pass, reaching the start of the Contour Path in this region after a steep 3-5 km scramble. You can camp here as an alternative to using Yellowwood Cave, but you’ll struggle to find place to pitch a tent. It’s 10.5 km from the camp site and 2.5 km to the top from this point.

Ash Cave

Route: From the camp up the Lotheni River to the cave.

Distance: 15 km return

Duration: 4 hours out and 3 return

Grade: Moderate

General: While the previous cave is best in summer, choose this cave in winter as it is warmer, although it is exposed to wind, so not good in a storm. Once at the cave, however, there is nowhere else to go and the passes up to Lotheni are not hiking routes. So this is ideally suited to an overnight trip or some time out.

From Lotheni camp site take the path up the left-hand bank of the Lotheni River to the falls, 3 km up. Although you can continue along this course to Yellowwood Cave, the path further up the Lotheni is now closed.

Therefore cross the river and ascend the slope opposite to gain the Eagle trail near a forest patch on the next level up. On reaching the higher level, contour around to the left above the Lotheni Valley for 3 km. The cave is situated on the south side of the river; about 100 m up a steep slope and so is really nice in good weather but will be exposed to the onslaughts of bad. Don’t be tempted to reach Ash Cave via the Yellowwood Cave route, as that trail over from the ka-Mashilenga Valley really does not ‘go’ now.

We as hikers, explorers, and adventurers have the absolute duty to respect and protect our Wildernesses. Nobody else will do it for us. Take ownership!

The End.

Safe Hiking.