Mushroom Rock, Ribbon Falls and Doreen Falls Loop - (Cathedral Peak NR - Drakensberg)

This moderately challenging loop begins and ends at the parking lot near the Cathedral Peak Hotel Gate. It visits the interesting Mushroom rock which is an eroded sandstone feature which almost perfectly resembles a mushroom. Thereafter the trail visits the summit of the Drakensberg foothills with the escarpment dominating overhead before descending past Ribbon Falls and Doreen falls and then returning to the parking lot. There is ample parking and after signing the register and obtaining a permit the path ascends drastically up to a hill above the parking lot. Shortly after the sharp ascent the trail crosses a few small wooden bridges and there are a couple of well-marked intersections but the idea to complete this loop if not following the recording is to head for Ashley’s Amble. Thereafter the signage for Mushroom rock becomes clear and after the lake Byron Intersection the way up to the rock becomes single track with few to no diverging paths. The trail ascends steeply from this point onwards and some sections may require using your hands and guiding the shorter members of your party upward. This steep section does level out a bit and then it zig zags comfortably to the mushroom rock. After reaching the rock the trail goes right under/through it and ascends up to the top of the hill on the same side as the rock (continuing the other way to the opposite side of the hill was described as dangerous by some fellow hikers we met on the trail who attempted it). Once reaching the hilltop views of Cathedral Peak, The Inner and Outer Horns, as well as the escarpment cliffs come into view. The trail continues to ascend gradually in a Southernly direction over clear windswept grasslands with more of the escarpment peaks like the Pyramid dominating the skyline. Eventually the trail begins to turn Eastward and then reaches its highest point before turning North again and descending slowly downward to the top of Ribbon Falls. Once on top of Ribbon Falls the trail begins to reach the steepest section of its decline with the odd ladder and metal rail assisting you to move from the top of the foothills to below the sandstone line. Once at the bottom you are treated to a clear picturesque view of Ribbon Falls with the escarpment cliffs overhead. There is an intersection here which leads to Ribbon Falls cave (this seems to be popular as at least 3 groups we encountered were hoping to use it for the night) and shortly thereafter is an intersection which would take one to the bottom of Ribbon Falls, we opted to skip this detour because the falls were only a trickle but in rainy months this would certainly be an option. From here the trail continues down the foothill slopes until the intersection to Doreen Falls is reached, from here it is a short worthwhile detour to see Doreen Falls. Albert Falls is right above and the path to it is clear. Doreen falls is quite the spectacle, it’s a waterfall over a large horseshoe bent cave with forest trees like Yellowwoods surrounding the pool and the cave entrance. You can walk though the cave and around to the main sitting rock and visa versa. After visiting Doreen Falls the path heads back to the same intersection taken to get to the falls and continues straight (Northwards) from there back to the Ashley’s Amble intersection, from here it is back the same way crossing a few small bridges and to the hill above the parking lot before finishing. This is quite the interesting loop with its rock features, waterfalls, views of the upper berg and the Cathedral valley. The trail is moderately challenging with a few steep sections, but it is definitely achievable for any reasonably fit experienced hiker. The trail could also easily be done in reverse which will present similar challenges. Highly recommended if you are in the Cathedral valley and are looking for something more challenging than Rainbow Gorge or simply Doreen Falls, but not quite as challenging as Cathedral Peak or one of the escarpment passes. The trail is well marked and it is not all that easy to lose ones bearings, access and security personnel are present ensuring that safety is maintained. A fun, interesting and not too challenging hike.