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Hike Grade: Moderate

Aasvoëlkrans Cave Hike

Aasvoëlkrans Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Aasvoelkrans Cave accommodates 8 people and is approximately 4.2km's from the Highmoor Reserve parking area. This is an easy hike. The cave itself is a "double story" cave and sleeping would generally be at the bottom cave. There is a steep drop from the top cave and a climb down from the bottom cave to the lovely poo ...
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Ash Cave Hike

Ash Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A three to four hour hike from Lotheni Camp Site to Ash Cave. Starting from the Lotheni campsite, follow the main path up the left-hand bank of the Lotheni River past the eMpophomeni Falls to a fork 4,5km from the start. You then take the right-hand path and continue up the Lotheni River for another 3 km, crossing a t ...
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Baboon Rock Hike

Baboon Rock Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The hike starts at Cathedral Peak Hotel. The hike is 4.1km's to Baboon rock, the last 2 km's on the way to Baboon Rock are fairly steep with a total elevation gain of 440m.
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If you only ever do one overnight hiking trip in the Drakensberg then this is at the top of the list. The hike to Bannerman Hut on day one is 10km and a climb, most people will be fine. Sleep in relative luxury and in the morning hike up Bannerman Pass. You have plenty time to get to the top and back before sunset for ...
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Bannerman Hut Hike

Bannerman Hut Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A 10 km hike, mostly uphill to the best overnight hut in the Drakensberg. The hike starts at the day picnic spot at Giants Castle. A short downhill and then a mostly gentle climb for about 4km's. The last 5km's are along the contours to the Hut, enjoy the views on the way. The sunrise that awaits you from the hut in t ...
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Battle Cave Hike

Battle Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From Injisuthi Camp follow the route towards Fergy's Cave and then take the right fork along the Injisuthi River approximately 4kms from the start and about 1km before Fergy's Cave. Total distance to the cave is 5.7km and an climb of only 258m. The cave is fenced so cannot be accessed without a guide. Contact: 036&nb ...
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This hike begins at Injasuti camp and follows a circular route via Grindstone Caves, the waterfalls and Cataract Valley. The path follows the Mhlwazini River back to the camp. A moderate 4 hrs hike (13km)
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Bushman's Cave (via Slab Cave) Hike

Bushman's Cave (via Slab Cave) Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This is a moderate hike of 9.6km to Bushmans Cave. You can either return the same day, overnight in the Cave or make this day 1 of a multi day hike in the Bushman's Nek area. The views in the valley along the way are stunning and once just above the Cave the southern escarpment views towards Rhino and Hodgson's peaks ...
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Caracal Cave Hike

Caracal Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Caracal Cave easily accommodates 8 people and is approximately 5.2km's from the Highmoor Reserve parking area. This is a relatively easy hike to the Cave and a bit of a climb back to the parking area. This is a very comfortable cave. Water supply is seasonal, although water flowing over the top of the cave has been se ...
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Chain Ladder Pass

Chain Ladder Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Chain Ladder is one of the easiest hikes as far as Berg passes go. This trail is also the most popular. The final 30m of the cliff face is ascended by means of a two-section chain ladder. The route is accessed via Sentinel Car Park which can be found on the road from Witzieshoek Mountain Resort. There are two sect ...
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A stunning 3 day hike. If you want a moderately easy hike, enjoy seeing Bushman Paintings want the luxury of a Hut on night 1 and enjoy caves as your accommodation on night 2 this is the hike for you. The sunrise from Lakes Cave is brilliant and the colours of a sunrise on the berg mountains are brilliant. The Hut ca ...
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Contour Path - Cathedral Peak to Ndedema Hike

Contour Path - Cathedral Peak to Ndedema Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A moderate to severe hike of 3 hours or 3.5 kms A long hard hike. Starts at Cathedral Peak Hotel, up to contour path below Cathedral range and follow it southwards. Hike passes underneath the main escarpment and back down the Ndedema Gorge.
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This is a great 3 hour (6,6km circular route) moderate walk through an indigenous forest to a magnificent grotto with waterfall and pool. The water can be cold as not too much sun shines into the pool. After the pool head up the hill to Barry's Grave. Dick Barry was one of the early mountaineering pioneers of the area ...
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Eagle Trail

Eagle Trail

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A hike of 6 hours. The trail starts from the rest camp in the Lotheni Nature Reserve and is a circular route.
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Fulton's Rock Hike

Fulton's Rock Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Fulton's Rock has a bushman painting of an elephant, indicating that at one time elephants may have wandered around this part of the Drakensberg. Highmoor camp to Fulton's rock is an easy hike to the rock and a bit more dfficult coming back to the camp up the steep hill you walked down earlier. A slow and steady pace ...
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Gladstone's Nose Trail

Gladstone's Nose Trail

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A 4.4km hike with a 436m uphill near the end. The Gladstone's Nose Trail is considered to be one of the most beautiful trails in the Drakensberg. Different species of antelope occur in the area . The trail passes through grassland and indigenous forests.
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Grindstone Caves and Cataract Valley Hike

Grindstone Caves and Cataract Valley Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A moderate 4 hrs hike (13 kms) This hike begins at injasuti camp and follows a circular route via Grindstone Caves, the waterfalls and Cataract Valley. The path follows the Mhlwazini River back to the camp.
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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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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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Gxalingenwa River Trail

Gxalingenwa River Trail

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

13 kms about 4 hours. 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. It begins on the Sani Pass Road and has good views of Giants Cup. It leads to Gxalingenwa Cave.
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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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Jacobs Ladder Hike

Jacobs Ladder Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A hike of 2km which follows the Lotheni River and leads to the spectacular Jacobs Ladder Waterfall.
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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 49 ...
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Langalibalele Pass Hike

Langalibalele Pass Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Old maps may refer to this as "Bushman's River Pass", as it was known in the 19th century. The exact date of the name change to "Langalibalele Pass" is uncertain, but makes reference to the arrest of the amaHlubi Chief Langalibalele at the top of this pass in 1873. Seven people died during this capture, five from the E ...
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Lion Buttress Hike

Lion Buttress Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Starting at the Gorge car park in Royal Natal head roughly South up the hill. This is a steep hike of 558m elevation gain over 3.3km. The views at the top of the Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls and the Sentinel are magnificent.
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Lotheni Pass (South Fork - gully access)

Lotheni Pass (South Fork - gully access)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Lotheni South Pass. The gully access is actually more prominent but the North Fork is the one indicated on maps. It is a known smuggling route and is an easier hike than the North Fork.
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Lotheni Pass (South Fork)

Lotheni Pass (South Fork)

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Lotheni South Fork is a smuggling route with a trail. Lotheni South Fork is an easier hike than the North Fork.
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Marble Baths Hike

Marble Baths Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From Injisuthi Camp follow the route towards Fergy's Cave, after 5km's turn right crossing over the river, only 3km's and 200m elevation to go. The path is on the left side of the valley and slowly climbs higher towards Marble Baths. Marble Baths Cave and Annex are 50m from Marble Baths should you choose to sleep over ...
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A relatively easy day hike for the family (probably 8 and above). A steep hill on the way to the hut but almost all downhill after. The views from the hut looking back towards Highmoor and into the valley below are worth while. Sadly the hut burnt down and is not in use at the moment. The first image in the gallery sh ...
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Mlambonja Valley Hike

Mlambonja Valley Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A moderate 30 mins - 2 hrs hike (1,5 - 5,2 kms) There are three hikes, the lower valley 1,5 km, neptunes pool 4,2 km and marble baths 5,2 km. The Mlambonja Pass Route bypasses most of the lower river valley. All hikes begin at the Cathedral Peak Hotel.
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Mlambus Pools Hike

Mlambus Pools Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Starting at Mnweni Cultural Village this 9.7km hike is not very steep with a total elevation gain of only 255m.
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Mnweni Pools Hike

Mnweni Pools Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A 12.5km hike from the Mnweni Cultural Centre with an elevation gain of 347m.
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Mount Lebanon Hike

Mount Lebanon Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The longest of all the hikes from Highmoor Camp rewarded with great views along the way. Mount Lebanon Peak can be viewed from the Highmoor Campsite. The peak is 2 153 m high. In the gallery you will see how the small Kamloops Dam had overflowed from a short downpour a little earlier, always keep an eye on the weather ...
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Mushroom Rock Hike

Mushroom Rock Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From Cathedral Peak Hotel its only 2.6km but its a steep uphill with an elevation gain of 355m. The views from Mushroom are excellent.
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This is day 2 of the Giants Cup Trail hike. Its an easy hike of 8.6km to Mzimkulwana Hut. On the way you pass Bath Plug Cave which is a good spot for lunch. The Hut can be quite cold as in a valley near a river so do take some warm clothes along also.
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A 9.2km hike mostly uphill with a detour to Siphongweni Cave, the highlight of any trip to Cobham. The bushman paintings 100m from the Cave are some of the best you will ever see in the Drakensberg. After Siphongweni Cave you pass The Policeman, an often photographed feature of the Drakensberg. Lakes cave offers good ...
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Pholela River Trail

Pholela River Trail

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A fair 3.5 hrs hike (9 kms) A variety of walks start from the Cobham Hutted Camp and follow the Polela River, Emerald Stream and Trout Beck. Trout fishing is possible - with a licence.
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Policeman's Helmet Hike

Policeman's Helmet Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Starting at the Gorge car park this 6km hike to Policeman's Helmet with an elevation gain 340m along the way offers great views.
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Rainbow Gorge Hike

Rainbow Gorge Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A fair 2 hrs hike (5.5 kms) This is probably one of the most picturesque hikes in the area. From the hotel skirt the base of Tryme Hill westwards, then eastwards on the path into the gorge. Once in the gorge itself the path follows the river.
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Ribbon Cave and Falls Hike

Ribbon Cave and Falls Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A moderate hike of 3.5km from Cathedral Peak Hotel with an elevation gain of 358m. The cave sleeps 6 and the floor is level and offers good protection from storms.
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Sherman's Cave Hike

Sherman's Cave Hike

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sherman's Cave can sleep to and is only 3.6km from Cathedral Peak Hotel, the hike to the cave is all uphill with a total elevation gain of 429m.
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Sterkspruit Falls and Nandi Falls

Sterkspruit Falls and Nandi Falls

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A scenic 8km circular hike to Sterkspruit Falls and Nandi's Falls with a total elevation gain during the hike of 330m.
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Tarn Cave is a great cave to stay overnight in the Bushman's Nek area. The hike is 8.9km's to the cave with an elevation gain of 661m along the way, a slow and easy pace and you will be there in around 4 hours.
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A circular 3 day hike in the Bushman's Nek area. Day 1 is a moderately severe 4-5 hrs hike (10 km's) This hike follows a well-defined path on the northern flank of the Thomathu Ridge. The cave faces north-east and sleeps up to 12 people. The cave is not very deep though and strong winds can be a problem. Day 2 hike to ...
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