Rock Climbing in and near Durban

Peak High Mountaineering

The city of Durban, located on the east coast, has a wide variety of traditional and sport climbing routes within a half hour drive of the city center and set in spectacular scenery. ... more

With its varied mountainous terrain, South Africa is a rock climbers' Mecca. Guided tours are available, but most locations require you to have at least intermediate mountaineering skills. Courses are available at indoor climbing walls, but the best experience is out on the mountain in the African sunshine.

The best region for rock climbing in South Africa is the Cederberg mountain range in the northern region of the Western Cape. Close to the towns of Clanwillam and Citrusdal, it offers climbs from basic for the beginner to ultra advanced for the experienced climber who wants to challenge him or herself. Much of the climbing takes place in the Cederberg Wilderness Area and while climbing is most certainly encouraged, it's also important that visitors respect the natural surroundings and leave the rock face as they found it.

Cape Town offers some unique rock climbing experiences right in the city itself. Table Mountain offers climbs for the beginner to the advanced climber and is one of the best traditional climbing spots in the world. With the City Bowl beneath your feet, you can climb to the top, take a leisurely ride down on the cable car and end your day with a cocktail on the beach; not too shabby a way to spend a summer's day! Close by, the towns of Paarl and Montagu also offer world-class sites.

Sport climbers from all over the world flock to the town of Waterval-Boven near Machadodorp in Mpumalanga. The region is known as “The Restaurant at the End of the Universe”, or, “The Restaurant”, for short, and is famous the world over for its over 500 routes. Everyone from beginners to experts could climb here forever if they wanted to.