"CATHKIN PEAK" Top 5 Page for this destination Drakensberg Things to Do Tip by mtncorg

The Zulu name for Cathkin Peak is Mdedelelo or ‘the Bully’ which Cathkin resembles, a big huge free-standing peak rising above all else. The peak was first climbed in 1912 along a route that is still the only semi-easy way up (‘E’ climb by South African standard; 5.0 by US). Along with the three heads of the Sterkhorn on one side and the incisor-shaped Monk’s Cowl on the other, the Cathkin free-standing (so-called as the peaks stand separately off of the main Escarpment rim) range make up one of the more memorable set of peaks in the entire range. To hike up here, you take the same path that goes up to the Sphinx and continue to the top of the Little Berg and then push higher to meet the Contour Trail at the base of the Sterkhorn. From here, you can turn left and there is a small campsite as you cross a little creek. From here a climbers footpath winds upward across the lower grassy slopes of the Sterkhorn. It is possible to ascend the lower northern summit via this path, but the true summit is actually the south peak, a climb which is considerably more challenging.