Start of the Sentinel Peak Trail – Chain Ladders on Sentinel Peak loop from The Pudding

Hiking trails & Routes

South Africa

Start of the Sentinel Peak Trail – Chain Ladders on Sentinel Peak loop from The Pudding

Hard

4.9

(90)

644

hikers

Start of the Sentinel Peak Trail – Chain Ladders on Sentinel Peak loop from The Pudding

05:50

14.0km

680m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 7.47 km for 1.82 km

Waypoints

Start point

Get Directions

990 m

Start of the Sentinel Peak Trail

Highlight • Trail

A magnificent hike through fantastic landscape.

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Tip by

2.84 km

View of the Amphitheatre, uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

A great vantage point in the mountains.

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Tip by

4.09 km

Small ladder on the way to the Chain Ladders and Tugela Falls

Highlight • Climb

Small Ladder at the Track to the Chain ladders and the top of the Tugela Falls

Tip by

4.54 km

View of the Chain Ladder

Highlight • Viewpoint

5.78 km

Chain Ladders on Sentinel Peak

Highlight • Climb

two chain ladders (17m and 13m) bring you up to the plateau and will challenge you mentally (if height is putting you under stress) and physically (you are not going to break records but you will feel it).

Tip by

7.46 km

Tugela Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

Breathtaking view on the second highest water fall of the world falling down of about 948m over 5 cascades.

Tip by

8.88 km

View from the top of uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

9.02 km

Tugela Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

14.0 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.7 km

1.98 km

233 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

8.25 km

3.50 km

1.98 km

233 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 23 October

28°C

11°C

21 %

Additional weather tips

The UV-index reading is high for much of your activity. Don’t forget sunscreen and consider bringing sunglasses.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 8, 2023,Drakensberge - Tugela Falls

I did the hike to the Tugela Falls for the first time in 2012: with a group of friends from Germany and South Africa. It was in August, we still found isolated snowfields at the top, which were even enough to build a small snowman. We were very lucky with the weather, August is not actually the season for hiking …

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October 23, 2025,Top of Tulega Waterfall

A beautiful hike to the edge of Tulga Waterfall. If you're not up for the ladder section, you can still enjoy the stunning view from there. Caution: The road to the parking lot is EXTREMELY poor and only accessible with a 4x4. The Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge offers a shuttle service (R 270, as of 10/25).

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November 29, 2021,Tugela Falls in Südafrika

I already did this hike to the supposedly second highest waterfalls in the world, the Tugela Falls, 9 years ago - back then in cold weather and with some snow at the top, today in bright sunshine.

I remembered the chain ladders very well, but when we stood in front of them, they seemed sooooo high to me. So take …

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