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Winterton is a picturesque village, that forms the gateway to the Central Drakensberg and Northern Drakensberg. Most of the most well know Resorts and Tourist encouraged sights and activities as well as the most beautiful hikes are almost all within an hours drive from Winterton.
Starting with the Northern Drakensberg, The Amphitheatre is the most photographed section of the Drakesnberg. The Mont-Aux Sources via the chain ladder hike, is probably the most spectacular. It is approximately a six-hour hike but the view is well worth it if you are up to it. There are of course a number of resorts in the area, but if you are looking for a for a special Drakensberg experience, then Vergezient Mountain Retreat is the place for you.
The
Central Drakensberg has an amazing amount to offer. From Winterton you can visit
Cathedral Peak Hotel. This hotel has been run by the family for many years and
is known as a family hotel. They are happy to accept day visitors and the small
entrance fee is redeemable when ordering lunch, tea, coffee etc. They also have
a 9-hole golf course.
Dididma, which is just before Cathedral Peak, is a Parks Board Resort with an unusual design. It is well kept but fairly expensive, offering self-catering and dinner, bed and breakfast rates. But its the modern Rock Art Centre that is very much worth the visit.
The Champagne Valley – as it is now called ( previously it was known as Cathkin Valley) is very commercialized. There are a number of resorts with excellent facilities, golf courses, tourist attractions and restaurants. Falcon Ridge is well worth visiting where they have daily displays of various birds of prey. Hiking is of course very popular.
Further south along the Drakensberg range is Injasuthi, which is a Nature Reserve area. Here the emphasis is on experiencing the peace and beautiful hikes of the Drakensberg.
Not
far from Winterton is another nature reserve called Spionkop Nature Reserve. The
have rhino, giraffe, widebees, zebra and a variety of buck. They also offer
daily horse rides through the park. Spionkop is also well known as one of the
main and most disasterous battlefields of the Anglo-Boer War.
The summers here are very hot and although it is meant to be the rainy season, it is often very dry. The winters are cold in the mornings and nights but the days are usually beautiful and can be very warm.
All in all Winterton and the Central Drakensberg is a beautiful area and well worth visiting.