Hiking trails in the Drakensberg

All three of the Drakensberg's listings sit at least 2.5-4 hours from Durban, and each comes from a hotel, reserve or national park that also runs longer, more demanding routes alongside the easy walks listed here. Royal Natal National Park, below the Drakensberg's famous amphitheatre, offers a flat 5km round trip along the Mahai River, a short waterfall walk at Fairy Glen and a signposted interpretive trail at Otto's Walk — all distinct from the park's longer Tugela Gorge trail, which involves river crossings and a chain ladder and isn't suitable for casual hikers.

Cathedral Peak Hotel's easy table includes a 40-minute round trip and a 1.5-hour waterfall walk, separate from the hotel's Rainbow Gorge and Cathedral Peak summit routes, both rated for fit hikers only. Kamberg is different again: a guided walk to the Game Pass Shelter, one of the region's best-known San rock art sites, preceded by a presentation at the Rock Art Centre rather than a self-guided trail. If you're after a genuinely easy family walk in the Drakensberg, check which specific route you're booking — these operators grade a wide range of difficulty under one roof.