Amphitheatre Chain Ladders Hike

The hike to the Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls, beginning at Sentinel Car Park in the Drakensberg, is a daunting but rewarding route for experienced hikers. The day trip, about 12 km in total round trip, lets you tackle the challenging escarpment and, eventually, the chain ladders rather than the alternative gully. But the first practical decision is getting there.

Access, Fees, and Parking

The most significant access point for the Sentinel route is not the main gate of Royal Natal National Park. Instead, take the road to Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge and approach Sentinel by that route.

Prepare for a fee. Hiking groups suggest these fees may vary, so check with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife or Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge for the most current rates.

Distance Covered

The full Sentinel route to the top is considered 12 km to 14 km round trip. The descent is sometimes described as steeper, so allow extra time for caution. Start at the Sentinel Car Park altitude of about 2,500 m and ascend to more than 3,000 m by the plateau top.

The Choice of Route

Two options are important on this hike: whether you’ll use the chain ladders or the gully to reach the top, and which you’ll take when descending. Each has practical consequences.

• The climb to the ladders is roughly 600 m over a 5- to 6-km distance, leading to 30 m of chain ladders set into the mountain. Indeed, the ladders literally let you climb over the escarpment onto the Mont-aux-Sources plateau.
• Alternatively, the gully is described as a longer ascent of roughly 650 m before taking a separate path onto the top.

Weather and Exposure

Hikers should factor weather change and exposure into any plan. The average altitude is rarely under 2,500 m, and the time at 3,000 m can stress hikers unaccustomed to altitude.

Grass-covered trails mean a muddy ascent in a rain, so pack the right boots and rain gear.

Starting on the Right Foot

If you’ve got the fitness and the courage, plan an early start. Allow 4 to 6 hours to the top, depending on your pace and altitude. But first, check the latest fees and prepare the right gear for grass and chain ladders.

Once you’ve set off, a long stretch of grasslands will lead you to the choice of route: a gully or the chain ladders.