Rainbow Gorge to the Choke Stone - (Cathedral Peak NR - Drakensberg)

One of the most scenic under canopy trails in the Drakensberg with a forested kloof that rivals even the most impressive found in Knysna or Hogsback. The trail is an in and out hike which starts and ends at Didima Camp, there is a path which leads from Cathedral Peak Hotel, but this will be a few extra kilometers long. After parking at the Didima parking lot and signing the register (note payment might be required if not staying at the camp) the trail heads off into the grasslands below Tryme Hill, past the conference venue center, where it begins to ascend gradually. If you are here at sunrise the views of alpenglow on Cathedral Peak, the Bell, and the Inner and Outer Horns are well worth the early wake up, but they fade fast allowing you to continue upward from the bench towards Rainbow Gorge. After ascending a while after passing the bench the path reaches its highpoint for the day and then begins to descend before reaching the forest line. Once the forest line is reached the rest of the trail into the gorge will be under thick tall indigenous forest (which is great for hot summer days and reduces your risk of getting sunburnt) and towering rock walls. Once in the forest the trail continues descending downward to the river and the path crosses a few side streams and small waterfalls (there were too many of these to mark and photograph) before reaching a small double waterfall pool with a moss-covered boulder in the foreground. From here the path becomes a bit trickier to navigate but with some pathfinding skills and keeping to the right of the river (on the way in, or South) for most of the way bar a few exceptions where one would cross the river, the choke stone can be easily found. There are a few cairns marking the way and in lower water conditions footprints from others who would’ve attempted the path a day or so before can help guide the way. There are a few small ladders (wood and chain) to climb but these are small and present very little risk. After crossing the river a few times, the rock walls begin to narrow and get higher and higher and the light in the gorge begins to darken, from here the path turns to hopping boulders and stones. After stone hoping and turning a corner or two the choke stone suddenly appears and from there it is just a matter of more of the same (perhaps with a bit more drip water from above making the rocks slippery). You can walk right under the Choke Stone and possibly continue up the gorge further if conditions allow. If the sun is overhead at noon or closer to the summer solstice some hikers report the drip water in the gorge creates rainbows as the light bends in through the high walls of the surrounding foothills hence the name “Rainbow Gorge”. I was not so fortunate to witness this as I had to complete this trail quickly enough to make the buffet breakfast at Didima which ended promptly at 10am. After reaching the choke stone this recording takes the exact same path back out to Didima, there are variations where the path splits and ascends Tryme Hill before descending back down to Didima. If you have the time and this is something you would be interested in, do your research and obtain a good map. Overall, this trail is not particularly difficult or strenuous, but the scenery is amazing, and this would make it a favorite in the cathedral area for families and novice hikers. I can highly recommend starting this trail early if some solitude is what you are after. Access is controlled from Didima and Cathedral Peak hotel making the area relatively safe and hassle free.