Drakensberg Passes
The passes listed here are those which gain you entry to the escarpment and Lesotho, where the average altitude above sea level usually exceeds 3 000 metres. Because of the height climbed (which may exceed 1 km), the thin air, the distances involved, their steepness and even their remoteness, passes are among the greatest physical and mental challenges that a hiker can face in South Africa.
Sani Pass
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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Settlers Pass
Can be accessed from Vergelegen and Kamberg, the route from Kamberg will take you past Game Pass Shelter on the way up. Sinclair's shelter near the pass is an ideal place to stay overnight.
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Ship's Prow Pass (North)
Most mountaineers describe Ship's Prow Pass as the most difficult non-rock pass in the Berg - it is the highest in the Berg after all. The view from the top is legendary.
Going up the North Fork is not not advised due to falling rock, rather go up the South Fork.
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Ship's Prow Pass (South)
Ship's Prow South Pass is the advised route option, the North Fork has had rockfalls in the past and is very dangerous.
This is a long pass and tops out at 3292m, the highest pass in the Drakensberg.
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Smuggler's Pass
Smuggler's Pass was pioneered by smugglers - hence it's name. The main path forks into two paths but reconnects further up.
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Stones Pass (North)
Stones North Pass is fairly easy. It is narrower than Stones South Pass.
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Stones Pass (South)
Stones South Pass is located in the Garden Castle area of the Berg. It is a simple grassy gully which is wider than Stones North Pass.
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Tarn Cave Pass
Tarn Cave Pass has a very good path to follow after Cedric's Pool. The cave is named Tarn Cave because of the small mountain pools above it. From the cave's inner sanctum are beautiful views of the Devil's Knuckles.
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Taylor's Pass
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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Thamathu Pass
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.
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The Crack Pass
The steep ascent through The Crack Pass is aided by a chain ladder. It is potentially dangerous.
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Thumb Pass
The Thumb Pass is located in the Cobham region of the Drakensberg.
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Thuthumi Pass
Thuthumi Pass has awesome views of the Ndumeni Dome cliffs and the back of the Organ Pipes. It is easy to accomplish if you are an experienced hiker.
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Tlanyaku Pass
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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Tsekesteke Pass
The Tsekesteke Pass follows a beautiful trail along the Tsekesteke river and the gully alongside the Pyramid and the Column. This pass is moderately difficult.
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Tsepeng Pass
Tsepeng Pass is located in the Garden Castle area of the Drakensberg.
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Twins Pass
Twins Pass is a steep trail located in Northern Drakensberg in the Cathedral Peak region.
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Uklebe Pass
The pass is north of KaMasihlenga Pass and South of the Hawk in the Lotheni area.
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van Heyningen's Pass
Van Heyningen's Pass can be walked as a round trip. It is located in the Injisuthi area.
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Verkyker Pass
Verkyker Pass lacks a trail however it is not difficult to do. It does have a small boulder section to navigate through.
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Walker's Pass
Walker's Pass is a worthwhile route located in Southern Drakensberg in the Garden Castle area.
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Wilson's Pass
There is no trail trail for this pass, its best to stay in the gully on the way up.
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Xeni Pass
Xeni Pass is a potentially dangerous pass that should only be attempted by experienced hikers. It is located in the Cathedral Peak area of the Berg.
Xeni Pass is in the cutback between Leopard Peak and Mlambonja Buttress. It probably gets more traffic than one might expect due to it being in one of the most popul ...
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