Mafadi Hike (SA’s Highest Peak)
Mafadi, at 3450m above sea level, is the highest peak in South Africa. A big dome several hundred of metres away from the edge escarpment, its ascent doesn’t require any technical skill but a high standard of physical fitness and gear. This is usually a 4-day/3-night hike with great caves and incredible views. A thrilling adventure into one of the most remote areas of the high berg.
Listing Details
29°07'08.6"S 29°26'19.6"E
-29.119047, 29.438781
Day 1 Centenary Hut (10.5km, 820m, 6-7h)
The hike starts and ends at Injisuthi Camp.
Through the beautiful lush wooden gorges of the Injisuthi valley you head into the mountains. Upon entering an overgrown valley, the going gets harder with a little bundu-bashing before the final climb to the hut. As you progress up the ridge and gain altitude you leave behind the thick vegetation and reach the typical afro-montane grasslands of the Little Berg. The overnight hut is situated beneath the massive basalt walls of the escarpment.
Day 2 The Triplets (13km, 1030m,7-8h)
This is a long day up one of the steep passes of the Drakensberg to the top of the escarpment. But hard work is rewarded with a bird’s-eye views from one of the biggest “balconies” in the world. From the top of the pass you have a long climb to a saddle before a hanging valley that overlooks 3 standalone basalt spears known as Injisuthi Triplets. The sunrise from here is one the major highlights of this hike.
Day 3 Mafadi – Bottom of Leslie’s Pass (14.5km, 150m, 6-7h)
Mafadi is now about an hour and a half walk away. After Mafadi you start the long descent to the bottom of Leslie’s Pass. The pass is steep and rocky, and maximum care is needed.
Day 4 Injisuthi Camp (10km, 200m, 6-7h)
Hike down to the beautiful Marble Baths where an invigorating plunge into the icy pools is an option! The final 7km back to Injisuthi camp is an easy riverside meander back dropped by fabulous views of Injisuthi peak.
This track is the route from Injisuthi via Centenary Hut to Mafadi only.
| Track length: | 42.43 km |
| Moving time: | 5:47 |
| Total ascent: | 2511 m |
| Total descent: | 2511 m |
Leslies pass gpx track
| Track length: | 2.63 km |
| Total ascent: | 968 m |
| Total descent: | 0 m |