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Garden Castle

The Garden Castle reserve is 35 300 hectares in extent and offers the visitor a variety of experiences. Dominated by the Rhino (a 3051m Peak which extends about 2km from the main escarpment), the area is characterized by many unusual sandstone buttresses and other formations.

Black Eagle Pass

Black Eagle Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Black Eagle Pass is not on the main escarpment and forms part of the Giants Cup Hikeathon.
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Bollard Pass

Bollard Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Bollard Pass is not marked on most hiking maps. It is closely associated with and named after Bollard Peak.
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Corncob Cave

Corncob Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Corncob Cave (named so after corncobs were found at the cave) is near the top of Walkers Pass and almost level in height to Isicatula Peak.
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Curtain Cave

Curtain Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This cave has a large deep overhang and is 40m from Wave cave.
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Engagement Cave

Engagement Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Enough space for 2 people, found 190m up the valley from Seeping Beauty Cave.
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Fun Cave

Fun Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Only 20m from Verkyker cave Fun Cave has a narrow sloping overhang that is large enough to sleep 12.
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Garden Castle Nature Reserve

Garden Castle Nature Reserve

PO Box 378, , KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Garden Castle is situated in the southern most section of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park. The reserve is a total of 35 300 ha in extent and offers the visitor a variety of experiences. Garden Castle forms part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, South Africa’s first cultural and environmental World Heritage Site. The excepti ...
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Garden Castle Peak

Garden Castle Peak

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Can be seen from Winterhoek Hut in Garden Castle.
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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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Garden Castle to Sleeping Beauty Cave Hike

Garden Castle to Sleeping Beauty Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An easy 2 hour hike over 3.7 km with a total uphill of 377m. The cave is huge and offers excellent protection from bad weather. The last section on the way to the cave is up some wooden steps.There is enough flat sections in the cave to sleep 10 people comfortably. The video by Patrik Kjellgren @patttrici shows how bi ...
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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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Hidden Valley Hike

Hidden Valley Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A moderate 9kms - 3hrs hike This hike begins at the Garden Castle main office, via Swiman Hut and along Hidden Valley, returning the same route.
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John's Cave

John's Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

John's Cave is in the Garden Castle area below Little Bamboo Mountain. This caves name is given by Dave Sclanders in memory of John C. Durno (junior) who died in 1933 at 15 years of age.
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Langalibalele Cave

Langalibalele Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Langalibalele Cave is in Garden Castle near the base of Langaibalele Peak. No camping is permitted due to the cave having Bushman Paintings. The exact location has not been shown.
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Linotsing Peak

Linotsing Peak

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Linotsing Peak is in the Garden castle area.
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Mashai

Mashai

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From left to right: Thaba Ngwangwe Peak, Walkers Peak and Mashai Peak
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Mashai Pass

Mashai Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mashai Pass is often used by hikers climbing the Rhino. Some sections are harshly eroded making it a tricky pass to do. It is the first gully North of Mlambonja Peak and has cairns marking the top.
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Mashai Shelter

Mashai Shelter

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Located in Garden Caslte as the top of Mashai Pass this small 2 man shelter may offer a little protection from the elements.
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Matebeng

Matebeng

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Matebeng peak is found in the Garden Castle area.
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Mzimkhulu Cave

Mzimkhulu Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mzimkhulu Cave is in the Garden Castle area on the route followed up Mzimkhulu Pass.
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Mzimkhulu Pass (Middle)

Mzimkhulu Pass (Middle)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Mzimkhulu Middle Pass is located in the Garden Castle area. There is a waterfall on route which may be tricky to navigate.
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Mzimkhulu Pass (North)

Mzimkhulu Pass (North)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

There are three possible heads to the Mzimkhulu pass. The North pass is easy with a distinct path and offers beautiful scenery.
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Mzimkhulu Pass (South)

Mzimkhulu Pass (South)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

 The South Mzimkhulu Pass has no path but it is an easy pass.
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Mzimude

Mzimude

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mzimude is in the Garden Castle area.
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Mzimude Caves

Mzimude Caves

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mzimude caves is in the Garden Castle area. Their are 3 caves all in very close vicinity to eachother. The caves offer good shelter and have a level floor.
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Mzimude Pass (North)

Mzimude Pass (North)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mzimude Pass (North) is located in the Garden Castle area. The pass has no trail and it is not used often.
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Mzimude Pass (South)

Mzimude Pass (South)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Mzimude Passes are not rock passes. The South Pass is steep and is used more often than the North Pass. It has a lot of exposure due to height but it is still safe.
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Mzimude Pass Peak

Mzimude Pass Peak

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mzimude Pass Peak is in the Garden Castle area.
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No Man's Peak

No Man's Peak

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

No Man's Peak is in the Garden Castle area.
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Pillar Cave

Pillar Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Pillar Cave is in the Garden Castle area.
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Pillar Cave (Annex)

Pillar Cave (Annex)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Pillar Cave Annex is in the Garden Castle area, about 250m from Pillar cave.
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Pitsaneng Pass (North)

Pitsaneng Pass (North)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Pitsaneng North Pass is a gully followed by a traverse and a ridge (from the top down).
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Pitsaneng Pass (South)

Pitsaneng Pass (South)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Pitsaneng South Pass is without a trail.
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Pornographic Shelter (Bushmans River Rock #1)

Pornographic Shelter (Bushmans River Rock #1)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Pornographic Shelter (Bushmans River Rock #1) is in the Garden Castle area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: One of the panels at Pornographic Shelter displays a group of running men that seems to be hunting. The parent rock shows signs of flaking, natural weathering and water-wash areas consisting of silica, salt a ...
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Rhino Pass

Rhino Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The approach to Rhino Pass is difficult but the actual pass is fairly easy. It has spectacular scenery.
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Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo)

Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo) is located in the Garden Castle area.
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Rob's Cave

Rob's Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Rob's Cave is in the Garden Castle area in the Hidden Valley area. The cave has a large overhang providing good shelter. The floor is only level in some areas for sleeping.
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Sandleni Cave

Sandleni Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sandleni Cave is in the Garden Castle area and is positioned just below Sandleni Cave. This is a big cave ad offers great protection from the elements.
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Sandleni Pass

Sandleni Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sandleni Pass is a grassy gully pass and has no trail. It is relatively easy to hike. Although it is technically located in the Garden Castle area, it is very far from both Garden Castle and Cobham and therefore has little traffic.
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Sandleni Pinnacle

Sandleni Pinnacle

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sandleni Pinnacle is in the Garden Castle area.
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Secret Cave

Secret Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Secret Cave is in the Garden Castle area in Secret Valley. The cave has a level floor and provides good protection from the wind and rain.
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Sherry Cave (New)

Sherry Cave (New)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sherry Cave (New) is in the Garden Castle area. To get to this cave a small ledge needs to be walked along so care needs to be taken. The cave has a level floor and will protect you from rain.
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Sherry Cave (Old)

Sherry Cave (Old)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sherry Cave (Old) is in the Garden Castle area. This is a small cave/boulder overhang and will fit 2 people only.
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Sleeping Beauty Cave

Sleeping Beauty Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

An easy 2 hour hike over 3.7 km with a total uphill of 377m. The cave is huge and offers excellent protection from bad weather. The last section on the way to the cave is up some wooden steps.There is enough flat sections in the cave to sleep 10 people comfortably. The video by Patrik Kjellgren @patttrici shows how bi ...
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Stealth Cave

Stealth Cave

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Stealth Cave is in the Garden Castle area, 380m from the top of Bollard Pass.
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Stones Pass (North)

Stones Pass (North)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Stones North Pass is fairly easy. It is narrower than Stones South Pass.
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Stones Pass (South)

Stones Pass (South)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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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Swiman

Swiman

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Swiman is in the Garden Castle region of the Drakensberg.
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