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Hike Grade: Difficult

Bannerman Hut via Langalibalele Ridge

Bannerman Hut via Langalibalele Ridge

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes

Bannerman hut at the bottom of this pass makes this a very popular pass. It is short and fun to do especially if you are new to the Drakensberg. Bannerman cave can be found over the summit ridge to the south. The pass is 3 km long and 822 up from Bannerman Hut. On the way up the pass (1.8km) you will see Spare Rib Cav ...
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Bannerman Pass Hike

Bannerman Pass Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Bushman's Nek Pass Hike

Bushman's Nek Pass Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Bushman's Nek Pass is suitable for hiking and horse riding. The hike from Bushamn's Nek camp to the top of the pass is 8km with a total elevation gain of 679m making this a moderatley difficult hike. The first half of the hike takes you past Cedric's Pool and is relatively flat, the next 3km are steep to the top o ...
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Centenary Hut Hike

Centenary Hut Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A difficult 10.5km hike starting at Injisuthi Camp to Centenary Hut but worth every aching muscle once you get to the top. The first 7.5 km's are easy and then the "little" hill to climb up to the hut. It seems never ending at times but is most definitely achievable by most people, take it easy up the hill and you will ...
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Category Hikes

A circular day hike starting at Sentinal Car Park and up to the Chain Ladder which is one of the easiest passes. The final 30m of the cliff face is ascended by means of a two-section chain ladder. Once at top you make your way to the Amphitheatre / Tugela Falls for stunning views and the return is down the short and s ...
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Five Star Cave Hike

Five Star Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From the Mnweni Cultural Centre this is a long hike of 14.5km and elevation gain of 546m. The views from near the cave of Fangs and Mbundini pass are stunning.
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Garden Castle to Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo)

Garden Castle to Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An difficult 10km hike which takes roughly 5 hours with a total uphill of 1 194m. An early start and the hike to the top and back can be done in a day, else take is easy and sleep in a cave or tent at the top overnight.
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Giant's Castle Pass

Giant's Castle Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Giant's Cup Trail Hike

Giant's Cup Trail Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Giants Cup trail is the only established trail in the Drakensberg. The hike is over 5 days (and 5 nights accommodation in the Drakensberg) and is 58.9km's in total. The first day is 12.8 km's and you stay in Pholela Hut. Day two is 8.8 km's and you stay in Mzimkhulwana Hut. Day 3 is 12 km's and you stay in Winterho ...
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Category Hikes
Giant's Hut via Oribi Ridge Hike

Giant's Hut via Oribi Ridge Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Category Hikes

Two routes are possible, one via Lammergeier Cave or via Thamathu Cave. The route via Thamathu cave is recommended as a path can be followed the whole way. The hike via Lammergeier cave has no path for about half the hike and unless you know the area well and have a good map this route should not be attempted.
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Category Hikes
Gray's Pass

Gray's Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Gray's Pass can be described as great gain for little pain. The pass itself is quite short and is situated in the Monks Cowl area, its still however a difficult hike.
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Category Monks Cowl

A three day, two nights hike starting at Injisuthi Camp. Each day of this circular route has its own unique views and hiking challenges. Day one to Centenary is a testing 10.5km to Centenary Hut, wake up the next morning to a stunning sunrise. Day 2 is the day without paths, a steep downhill and then a small climb nea ...
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Category Hikes
Jonathans Gate (via Bushman's Nek Pass) Hike

Jonathans Gate (via Bushman's Nek Pass) Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Jonathan's Gate Pass is situated in the Southern Drakensberg, Bushman's Nek area. It was once an old Lesotho Border Post and active stock theft route. All that remains is five burnt down prefabricated buildings and an old desolate brick building.
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Category Hikes
Judge Pass

Judge Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Judge Pass is a steep pass which calls for some rock scrambling. The path is very clear. It is located in the Injisuthi region of the Berg.
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Category Hikes
Lake District Hike

Lake District Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A moderate 8 hrs - 2 days hike. There are many caves in the in the area. A network of parts connects the caves and places of interest and allows hikers to amble around the section of the Little Berg. Hikes begin from the Cobham Camp. Cobham State Forest area, which is situated close to Himeville.
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Category Hikes
Lammergeier Cave Hike

Lammergeier Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A strenuous 9.5km hike from Buskman's Nek Camp. A Map and knowledge of the area is necessary as no path exists in parts. The total elevation gain is 645 meters, no part of the hike is downhill. The cave could fit 50 people but 12 is the maximum allowed by Ezemvelo. A stream is below the cave all year and the sunrise i ...
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Category Hikes
Leslie's Pass

Leslie's Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Leslie's Pass is relatively easy to hike, it is just very long. Leslie's and Injisuthi pass are the only routes to the top in the Injisuthi area.
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Category Injisuthi
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The Maliba Circular Route is a 13km hike (8miles), starting at Maliba Lodge at 2030m, following the Upper Route to Black Pool, then climbing steadily up to 2626m above sea level. Thereafter you come down the fairly steep valley to the ventilation shaft, and then circle back to the lodge through gate #8 and the river po ...
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Marble Baths via Grindstone Caves Hike

Marble Baths via Grindstone Caves Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From Injisuthi Camp head past Yellowwood forest for a steep 3.8 km's hike all uphill to Grindstone Caves, continue up past the caves, the views at the top of the Drakensberg are stunning. Follow the path South West across the ridge for 3km's of relatively flat walking, then downhill and towards Marble Baths. A good ma ...
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Category Hikes
Mbundini and Fangs Passes Hike

Mbundini and Fangs Passes Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An extreme hike of 2 days (27 kms) Two steep passes in the Mnweni area leading to the top of the escarpment and enclosing Mbundini Abbey Peak. These passes are steep and dangerous and should not be attempted by the inexperienced.
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Mnweni via Rockeries and Mnweni Passes Hike

Mnweni via Rockeries and Mnweni Passes Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An extreme hike of 4 days (48 kms) An extremely long and difficult hike which begins at the Isandlwana Police Post in the Mnweni area. The first day would take you to the base of the Rockeries Pass, the second to the top and Mponjwane or Ledgers Cave, the third down the base of Mnweni Pass and the fourth back to the po ...
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Category Hikes
Nine Caves in three days

Nine Caves in three days

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

We just love visiting and sleeping in the Drakensberg caves, so why not plan a hike to see as many as possible over three days. Five friends agreed to go with on this adventure knowing we would be spending the majority of this hike on no path. On the first day starting at Bushman's Nek we walked 10km's with 850m eleva ...
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Category Hikes
Ntonyelana Pass (iNtonyelana)  Hike

Ntonyelana Pass (iNtonyelana) Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An extreme round trip of a minimum of 2 days. A long route to the top of the escarpment from the Isandlwana Police Post, following the Ntonjelana River.
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Category Hikes
Organ Pipes Pass (Camel Route)

Organ Pipes Pass (Camel Route)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Organ Pipes Pass - the Camel Route is marked as dangerous on official maps but this only really applies in icy conditions. There is beautiful scenery on both sides of the ridge.
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Category Hikes
Organ Pipes Pass (Thuthumi Ridge Route)

Organ Pipes Pass (Thuthumi Ridge Route)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Organ Pipes Pass is probably one of the most commonly used passes in the KZN Drakensberg. The name is derived from the very impressive wall of rock pinnacles near the top of the pass. The ridge offers stunning views of the Cathedral and Cathkin ridges. his route is commonly used for smuggling activities and is best av ...
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Rockeries Pass

Rockeries Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Rockeries Pass is a relatively easy way to reach the escarpment in the Mnweni area. Navigating your way along this pass is no problem at all because the path is clear.
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Sani Pass

Sani Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sani Pass is a high mountain pass. The path is a steep gravel road. By law only 4x4 vehicles may drive this road. A difficult 8 hour hike (16 km's) The hike up the pass begins in the car park 5.5 km past the Sani Pass Hotel. It is long and steep. Passports are necessary at the top.
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Category Hikes
Spare Rib Cave Hike

Spare Rib Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Injasuti. Proceed up Bannerman Pass from Bannerman Hut. The cave is near the top of the escarpment on the left hand side. A severe 2 hrs hike (3kms)
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Category Hikes

Thamathu is a long pass up from Bushman's Nek up the ridge to the top of the escarpment. It is a relatively easy pass. The views on the way up and at the top are lovely. Along the way you pass Thamathu Cave, a good place to have a rest and take in the views before doing the final 3 km's.
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Category Hikes
Tlanyaku Pass

Tlanyaku Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Tlanyaku Pass is a steep pass located in the Cathedral Peak area. It is situated between Ndedema Dome and the Sphinx.
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Category Hikes
uMkhomazi to Sinclair's Cave Hike

uMkhomazi to Sinclair's Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The gradient is average to steep for most of the route and can be rated as difficult. Water is not always available in the area surrounding the cave. This hike can be split up into two days with Cyprus Cave being used as an overnight stop.
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Category Hikes
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge Hike

Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A long 9.5km hike with an elevation gain of 820m. The rewards along the way make this uphill climb well worth while. You pass Cascades, Lookout Rock, Cave Shelter, Mahai Cave and Mahai Falls on the way before reaching Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge at the top.
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