Most Popular Area of the Drakensberg
Route: From Monk's Cowl conservation station, via the Contour Path to Cowl's Fork, and then up the ravine to the base of Monk's Cowl.
Distance: 28 km round-trip
Duration: 12 hours (2 days)
Grade: Extreme
General: Why this cave should be one of only four set aside for hikers to overnight in, in the most popular area of the Drakensberg, is a mystery, but so it is. Really only a refuge for climbers, it is situated at the base of the cliffs in the gully between Cathkin Peak and the Cowl. For a really thrilling outing, you could combine this hike with a descent of Cathkin Gully on the far, northern side to Keith Bush Camp and back via the Contour Path. Monk's Ravine is an ominous thing - dark, cold and iced up in winter. But I guess that's not reason enough not to try it!
Camp Stop
Start off from the conservation station up The Sphinx to the Contour Path at Blind Man's Corner, 6 km from the campsite and parking area. Turn left to follow the Contour Path for 4 km in and out of the gullies round the base of Cathkin Peak. Where the path appears to head off along Shadow Ridge and away from Cathkin, keep right to pass through an eland fence that runs along the sharp ridge here. Head on the contour back towards the mountains and into Monk's Fork ravine 2 km from the fence.
This is 11 km from the start and you should consider camping here to make this a three-or four-day outing: the climb up the ravine to the cave will take about three hours; unless you've made an early start and it's good weather, you're going to be doing a 'Godbold' (Brian Godbold, who led the first ascent of Cleft Peak Frontal, had a penchant for night-time hiking epics). Also, unless ice climbing is your forte, I suggest you plan this trip for summer when the days are long and the south-facing ravine is not coffin-cold.
Monk's Fork Stream
The route winds all the way up the right-hand side of Monk's Fork Stream, gaining some 900 m to the base of the basalt cliffs. If ever a more frightening and exhilarating prospect confronted you, I'd hate to know where. The cave is located at the base of the south-east face of the Cowl looking out over the Cowl Fork gully to the left and the cliffs of Champagne Castle to the right.