Monks Cowl

Monks Cowl, taking its name from the peak between the towering mountains of Champagne Castle and Cathedral Peak, is part of 260,000 ha Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and is the access point for the Mlambonja and Mdedelo wilderness areas

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Links

Drakensberg Tourism - Guide to accommodation and hiking in the Drakensberg and Natal Midlands

Drakensberg Accommodation - Accommodation directory for the Drakensberg Mountains

Drakensberg Guide - A pictorial Guide to the Drakensberg Mountains

South Africa Tourism - Guide to accommodation in South Africa

South Africa Tours - Guide to tours in South Africa

Monks Cowl is known for its wonderful scenery and provides hikers with wonderful routes that weave through the deep valleys and forests of the Central Drakensberg and up onto the main escarpment.The routes at Monks cowl vary from a few hours to several days and provide opportunities for young and old, the fit and not so fit, to visit places with evocative names like the Sphinx and Blindman's Corner.

There are only camping facilities available at Monks's Cowl. The campsite is fairly flat and bordered with indigenous trees and shrubs; there are barbecue facilities, and sites are not numbered. There are two ablution blocks, one has showers with hot and cold water, whilst the other has toilets only. The lower section of the campsite is reserved for 4 x 4 vehicles which can traverse the steep road.

Monks Cowl Overnight hiking must be booked in advance. Bring along hiking stoves as fires are not allowed due to the danger of run-away fires. The mountain campsites of Keith Bush Camp and Cowl Fork campsite have no facilities and hikers must be suitably equiped. Campsites and caves are booked directly with the Camp Office. Telephone No. (036) 468 1103.

Accommodation at Monks Cowl

Monks Cowl Hiking Trails

Champagne Castle Via Gray's Pass An extreme 19 hrs hike (19 kms) The trail goes up the Mhlwazini Valley, between Champagne Castle and Dragon's Back on the right and Monk's Cowl on the left, with views so dramatic that if the path doesn't take your breath away, the secenery surely will.
Contour Path- Monk's Cowl to Injasuti A moderate 9 hrs hike (21 kms) This hike is the longest, hardest and least used of three possible routes between Monk's Cowl and Injasuti Camp. The most commonly used path is the Van Heynigen's Pass & Shada Ridge.
Crystal Falls and Sphinx A fair 1 hr 20 mins hike (3 kms) The path leads south then west across to the Sphinx and further to Breakfast Stream. This hike is the beginning section of all hikes radiating from the Monk's Cowl KZN Wildlife office.
Fern Forest An easy 30 minutes (1 kms) This is a short walk along a forested stream to a waterfall and a picnic spot.
Mhlwazini Valley Trail A severe 9 hrs hike (24 kms) From the Monks Cowl Camp Site the route ascends the sphinx, and contours around the top of the Hlatikulu Forest. From there is heads down into the Mhlwazini Valley and along the river.
Stable Cave Trail A moderate 4 hrs hike (9.5 kms) The route ascends the Steilberg to the top of the little berg. The cave looks north from a narrow ridge of the Little Berg Plateau towards the Valley of Pools.
Sterkspruit Falls and Gorge A moderate - severe 6 hrs hike (15 kms) This is a pleasant outing involving some boulder hopping and river crossings. Start at Monks Cowl Campsite following the Serkspruit River into the gorge. The return route is further south, running eastwards across the little berg, down to the Sphinx and Loops down to the campsite. Long and severe.