Giants Castle

Bannerman cave is in Lesotho behind Bannerman Face and can be accessed either via Bannerman Pas, Hubi Pass or Langalibalele Pass. The cave is south facing and has a fairly narrow entrance.
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Situated above Bannerman Hut on the Giants Castle area and is about 600m wide.
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Bannerman Hut is located inside the Giant's Castle Reserve in the Drakensburg Central area of KwaZulu Natal. This remotely located hut is often used  for a night when traversing between the Giant's Castle and Injisuthi areas on a multiple day trek. The morning sunrise makes the hike up the hill well worth while.
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If you only ever do one overnight hiking trip in the Drakensberg then this is at the top of the list. The hike to Bannerman Hut on day one is 10km and a climb, most people will be fine. Sleep in relative luxury and in the morning hike up Bannerman Pass. You have plenty time to get to the top and back before sunset for ...
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A 10 km hike, mostly uphill to the best overnight hut in the Drakensberg. The hike starts at the day picnic spot at Giants Castle. A short downhill and then a mostly gentle climb for about 4km's. The last 5km's are along the contours to the Hut, enjoy the views on the way. The sunrise that awaits you from the hut in t ...
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The long way to get to Bannerman Hut, 14km's, 609m uphill most of which is in the 1st half of the hike, its pretty flat thereafter. The views from Bannerman Hut and the relative luxury of the hut overnight will make the hike worth while.
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Bannerman Pass was named after former British Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. It is said that, when viewed from the right angle, the cliffs just south of the pass resemble the profile of his face. Personally I have never been able to see it, but nonetheless, that's the origin. Risks: the pass can get iced ...
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In the Giants Castle area to the left of Langalibalele Pass, a relatively easy pass with some zig-zagging between the each small cliff on the way up.
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Bond Peak is located within the Giants Castle area. Bond Pass and Jaraten Pass are the closest passes.
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Carbineer Point is located within the Giants Castle area. Jarateng/Jarding's Pass (South) is the closest pass. Image from left to right, Katana, Carbineer Point, Kambule and Mount Durnford.
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The Eastern Gully is a Rock Pass situated in the Giant's Castle area. Giants Castle's Eastern Gully is not a commonly used route - mostly due to its technical nature. The pass tops out near the main 3315m summit.
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Elandshoek Pass is situated in the Giant's Castle area. There is evidence that the path is frequently used as a smugglers/stock theft pass. Elandshoek is a pass with spectacular views.
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Erskine peak is considered to be a easy hike. It is named after a soldier who died in 1873 during a skirmish.
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Giants Castle peak is located in the Giants Castle nature reserve. It was named by its appearance of a giant lying on his back.
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A hike to the main caves to see Bushman Paintings and then along the Bushman's river for a picnic. The circular route is 5.3km's and can be made shorter if required. A great day out for all ages.
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The Giants Castle Nature Reserve is located in the Central Drakensberg and is 34 638 ha in extent and ranges from 1 300 metres to 3 280 metres in altitude and is noted for its plentiful rock art. This area is home to the endangered majestic Bearded Vulture. The most popular activities are hiking, climbing, trout fishin ...
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One of the most identifiable passes of the Drakensberg Mountains, Giant's Castle Pass is a steep, rocky ascent to 3 102m offering stunning views. Some say it's an extreme 4 hr (6 km) hike from Giant's Hut below, others will say an easy 2hrs, we would say a 3 hr moderately difficult hike with a full backpack.
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Giants cave is on your left going up Giants Castle Pass. Higher up to your right is Giants Cave 2.
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Giants Cave 2 is on your right going up Giants pass.
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The hut is a ruin situated off the contour path which runs below Giant's Castle.
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An alternative route to Giant's Hut just south of the two Dassies stream route. It starts at the main Giant's Castle Camp, climbing steadily to the hut, which must be booked. A severe 4 hrs hike (10.5km)
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Giants Pass Peak is located in the Giants Castle nature reserve.
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Giants Summit Cave is on your right at the top of Giants pass.
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This hike, starting at Giant's Castle main camp, takes you up the Bushman's River to the largest forest in the Giant's Castle area.
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Gypaetus is a steep zig-zag pass to the right of Bannerman Pass started from Bannerman Hut.
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Gypaetus point is located in Giants castle, the peak is in close proximity of The Bannerman cave. The peak is named after the bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) which live in the vicinity of the peak.
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The Hlubi passes lie midway between The Thumb and Langalibalele Pass. Hlubi South Pass is one of the easiest passes to conquer. The Hlubi North Pass is severely eroded at the top portion due to overgrazing in this area.
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The Hlubi passes lie midway between The Thumb and Langalibalele Pass. Hlubi South Pass is one of the easiest passes to conquer. The Hlubi North Pass is severely eroded at the top portion due to overgrazing in this area.
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Jarateng Cave is in the Giants Castle area. Picture credit thanks to Dylan Harris. The cave can sleep up to 8 people as it it quite deep and wide but fairly low. The protection is great from all elements as the entrance is almost slanted downwards with a slight overhang and acts as a barrier. Most of the heat is als ...
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Jarateng (Jarding) Pass is in fact three passes that are absent or unclear on most hiking maps. Out of the three, the southernmost route is easier conquered. They are located in the Giant's Castle area.
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The Southern Jarateng Pass is the grassier of the three. It is Located in the Giant's Castle region.
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Located in Central Drakensberg, the Central Jarateng Pass tops out high on the Southern slopes of Mount Durnford. It is most likely the easiest of the three passes as the northern and southern are rockier.
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Kambule peak is located in the Giants Castle area near Jarateng Pass.  Image from left to right, Katana, Carbineer Point, Kambule and Mount Durnford.
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Katana peak is located in the Giants Castle area. It is considered a complicated climb especially when there is snow. Image description: Looking North after the Long Wall towards Katana in front and the Thumb in the distance. A relatively easy three-hour hike from here to Langalibalele Pass after summiting Mount Durnf ...
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Old maps may refer to this as "Bushman's River Pass", as it was known in the 19th century. The exact date of the name change to "Langalibalele Pass" is uncertain, but makes reference to the arrest of the amaHlubi Chief Langalibalele at the top of this pass in 1873. Seven people died during this capture, five from the E ...
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Old maps may refer to this as "Bushman's River Pass", as it was known in the 19th century. The exact date of the name change to "Langalibalele Pass" is uncertain, but makes reference to the arrest of the amaHlubi Chief Langalibalele at the top of this pass in 1873. Seven people died during this capture, five from the E ...
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Long Wall is the fifth highest peak in South Africa. It is a long wall of rock north of Giant’s Castle.
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Main Caves is in the Giants Castle area. This painted shelter is easily accessed and is a short walk from the Giants Castle camp. The site is fenced and guided tours commence at the cave entrance hourly 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. They take a maximum of 13 people at a time, so get there early. This is an extensively painted ...
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This hike leads from the camp, along the river near the edge of a forest, up to the large caves, which are crucial archaeological sites and have been turned into a museum showing the Bushman's way of life. Tours are conducted throughout the year at set times in the company of a field ranger. An easy 40min hike
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Meander Hut overlooks meander stream and is set on the edge of the hill. A really stunning view over the valley looking back towards Highmoor. The Hut burn't down some years ago and is currently a ruin.
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A relatively easy day hike for the family (probably 8 and above). A steep hill on the way to the hut but almost all downhill after. The views from the hut looking back towards Highmoor and into the valley below are worth while. Sadly the hut burnt down and is not in use at the moment. The first image in the gallery sh ...
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Mount Durnford is in the Giants Castle area.
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Ntabahlope is in the Giants Castle region of the Drakensberg.
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Potterhill is in the Giants Castle area.
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Sanqebethu is in the Giants Castle area.
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Spare Rib Cave is on your left 1.6km from Bannerman Hut going up Bannerman Pass (thus about half way up the pass). To get to the cave some care should be taken near the entrance as its on rock and it not level. The views from the cave are beautiful. In summer the cave is wet and a better alternative is to stay in Bann ...
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The top of Taylor's Pass is near Elandshoek - which is frequently used by the locals - so there i high traffic in that area. It is located in the Giants Castle area.
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The Thumb is in the Giants Castle region of the Drakensberg.
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