Champagne Valley and Cathkin Valley

Champagne Valley and Cathkin Valley are overlooked by the mo

Cathkin and Champagne Castle have peaks at 3149m and 3248m respectively. These, together with Monk’s Cowl (3234m) are some of the highest peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains.

The Champagne Valley is the focus of the Mountain Meander, a Central Drakensberg Tourism initiative. In addition to luxury resorts, country hotels, small B&Bs and camping sites there is a multitude of arts outlets, golf, fishing, the Vulture Restaurant and the world famous Drakensberg Boys Choir which holds concerts every Wednesday during term.

Snuggled up against the towering and imposing summits of Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castle, and bisected by the Sterkspruit River, the Champagne Valley in the Central Berg is a natural stepping off point for a leisurely exploration of the attractions of the Berg. It is the heart of the Mountain Meander, a tourism initiative which invites you to visit surrounding battlefields sites (particularly Spioenkop, one of the most bravely fought battles of the Anglo Boer War), game reserves, numerous arts and crafts outlets and, of course, the world famous Drakensberg Boys Choir. The Champagne Valley offers visitors accommodation in a wide range of establishments, from camp sites to guest farms and mountain lodges – including many of the best known and longest established hotels in the Berg – and many visitors to the region use it as a base for their daily explorations further afield. Attractions in the valley include two golf courses, well stocked trout and bass fishing waters, hiking and horse trails, white water sports, the fascinating vulture restaurant and San caves, which are acknowledged to contain some of the greatest examples of rock art in the world.

Accommodation in and around Monks Cowl