Tugela Trail Gorge EarthCache

Tugela Trail Gorge

Formation of the Amphitheater

As the other parts of the Drakensberge the Amphitheater has been formed by volcanic eruptions. The existing powerful sediment layers of the Karoo desert were flooded by basaltic lava.  The layer of basaltic lava is about 1500m thick.  Later subsequently, water and wind erosion (principally from the east, facing the Indian Ocean) cut into the enormous plateau, producing an extraordinary and almost unique landscape.

The Tugela Trail

The Tugela Trail leads you to the base of the Tugela Falls. You can park your car near  S28 42.581 E28 56.417 (below Tendele Camp), where the trail starts. Proceed down to the Tugela river, where the main gorge path will be reached. The path winds along, above and parallel to the Tugela river.
For the first kilometers the trail is very easy. The last kilometer through the Gorge entails three boulder crossings of the river and leads you through a gorge to the final location at  S28 44.756 E28 54.795.  From here a little chain ladder takes you over the final streach from where you have a stunning view of the falls rushing down the Amphitheater in a series of  five spectacular cascades.

To do the trail you have to walk about 14 km there and back and you´ll need about 5 hours.

The cache

To log the cache you have to do the following things:

• Follow the trail to S28 44.756 E28 54.795.
• From this point you see a very narrow gorge. Estimate the width of it and describe the colour of the walls. Mail the answer to us.
• Don´t wait for our answer to log. We will contact you if your answer is wrong.
• Log a picture of you at the final location.

Have a lot of fun,
road_runner & susi