Hikes

drakensberg maps

When going on a hike please ensure you have a map which can be purchased from most of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife regional reserves or at the head office in Pietermaritzburg.

This guide to Hiking in the Drakensberg may also be of assistance especially if your first hike. A list of the caves and phone numbers that can be booked is available here and an example of the Mountain Rescue Register can be downloaded here.

Hikes

The Drakensberg Mountains offer opportunities for some of the finest hiking in the world. With its sheer cliffs, its fauna, its flora and its San rock art, a hike in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park is a unique experience. The park allows for all levels of hiking, from a stroll around the camp to the most strenuous hikes onto the escarpment.

Map of listings on this page
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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The trail to Game Pass Shelter is a two-and-a-half, to three-and-a-half hour guided walk, via the spiritually moving Waterfall Shelter. It is nothing short of a world-class experience in Khoisan rock art and living Zulu and San culture. Walks normally leave at 09h00, 11h00 and between 12h30. The walk is preceded by a ...
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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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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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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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Giant's Viewpoint Hike

Giant's Viewpoint Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This is a pleasant walk that is pretty level with a path that is easy to follow. Cape Vultures, Blesbok and Eland are often seen and the Giant's Castle view is stunning on a clear day.
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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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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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Grindstone Caves Hike

Grindstone Caves Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From Injisuthi Camp head past Yellowwood forest for a steep 4.2km's hike all uphill with an elevation gain of 377m. It sometimes feels like even more. The cave sleeps 12 and the views down the valley from the cave are spectacular, definitely worth spending a night over in this cave.  
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A 6.1km circular hike heading uphill to start and then through Gudu Bush where a small stream and pool will can be seen. An option is to turn right up the hill here which takes you to the top of Gudu Falls (this is a steep path about 700m long and 230m in elevation - Gudu falls is shown on the left), else continue stra ...
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Gudu Falls from Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge

Gudu Falls from Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A 3.6km hike to the top of Gudu Falls via the “Crack” with an elevation drop of 264m along the way. There is beautiful swimming pools, within 20 metres of the falls and a lunch area at this very picturesque spot. 
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Gxalingenwa Cave Circular Route

Gxalingenwa Cave Circular Route

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

12.5 km's (5 hours) via Pholela Hut on the way to Gxalingenwa Cave and 11.5 km (4 hours) return via Pinnacle Rock. The hike is good for bird watching and game viewing. It follows the Emerald Stream, past indigenous forest to a spectacular waterfall with pools suitable for swimming on the way back form the cave. The hi ...
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Gxalingenwa Cave via Pholela Shelter

Gxalingenwa Cave via Pholela Shelter

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

12.5 kms (5 hours) via Pholela Hut and an elevation gain of 530m. The hike via Pholela Cave follows day 1 of the giants cup trail in reverse for the first  7.25km's and then you turn left (continue straight) and follow Gxalingenwa River up the valley. The cave is a real cave with great views into the valley. It' ...
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Gxalingenwa Cave via Pinnacle Rock

Gxalingenwa Cave via Pinnacle Rock

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

11.5 km (4 hours) via Pinnacle Rock and an elevation gain of 432m The hike is good for bird watching and game viewing. It follows the Emerald Stream, past indigenous forest to a spectacular waterfall with pools suitable for swimming on the way back form the cave. The cave is a real cave with great views into the vall ...
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A great day hike that's easy and suitable for younger children. As you walk along the Bushman's Nek River and deeper into the valley you will get a great feeling of being outdoors. Some of the gallery pictures show the area when it had snowed. The snow was 3 foot deep near Halfway/Slab cave and no path could be found, ...
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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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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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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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Knuckles Pass (North)

Knuckles Pass (North)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Knuckles Pass (North) is located in the Bushman's Nek area. There is no visible trail.
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The sunrise from Lakes Cave is brilliant and the colours of a sunrise on the berg mountains are brilliant. This 12km hike from Cobham will take 4 to 5 hours, the hikes starts off pretty flat  and get steeper after 6km's, the last 2km's after Nutcracker Cave being the steepest.  The total elevation gain is 497m.
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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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