Tags: Day Hike

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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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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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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The long way to get to Bannerman Hut, 14km's, 609m uphill most of which is in the 1st half of the hike, its pretty flat thereafter. The views from Bannerman Hut and the relative luxury of the hut overnight will make the hike worth while.
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Bannerman Pass was named after former British Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. It is said that, when viewed from the right angle, the cliffs just south of the pass resemble the profile of his face. Personally I have never been able to see it, but nonetheless, that's the origin. Risks: the pass can get iced ...
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Barker's Chalet is a short easy hike form Cathedral Peak Hotel oof 2.6km and 212m elevation.
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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 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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The Bushman's Nek Pass is suitable for hiking and horse riding. The hike from Bushamn's Nek camp to the top of the pass is 8km with a total elevation gain of 679m making this a moderatley difficult hike. The first half of the hike takes you past Cedric's Pool and is relatively flat, the next 3km are steep to the top o ...
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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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A popular pool only 4.5 km from Bushman's Nek camp. The pool is apparently named after Cedric Biggs, a leader of the Mountain Backpackers Club some years ago, who was known for plunging through the ice into the freezing pool. It's also referred to as "Three pools" on some of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife maps and literatu ...
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A difficult 10.5km hike starting at Injisuthi Camp to Centenary Hut but worth every aching muscle once you get to the top. The first 7.5 km's are easy and then the "little" hill to climb up to the hut. It seems never ending at times but is most definitely achievable by most people, take it easy up the hill and you will ...
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A circular day hike starting at Sentinal Car Park and up to the Chain Ladder which is one of the easiest passes. The final 30m of the cliff face is ascended by means of a two-section chain ladder. Once at top you make your way to the Amphitheatre / Tugela Falls for stunning views and the return is down the short and s ...
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There is a small cave next to the stream which has an interesting burial site in the right side of the cave. The burial chamber was upright to cater for a body in a seated position and the remains of a bushman type person were removed for research purposes in the middle of the last century, but the stones of the grave ...
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A fun family day outing to Cobham and a short easy walk along the Pholela river. The distance is your choosing, from 1km to 5km in total. As you wind your way along the river choose one of the many pools to have a swim in and have a picnic lunch. This is a great way to introduce your kids to the Drakensberg without it ...
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An easy 2.1km hike with only 98m elevation gain from Cathedral Peak Hotel. A pool is at the base of the falls for swimming.
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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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An easy family hike starting at Drakensberg Sun of 4.3km in total distance.
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An easy 2.2km in total hike from the day parking area in Royal Natal. The path is uphill and then through the bush to the waterfall.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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From Bushman's Nek camp is a very strenuous 10.6 km hike. A Map and knowledge of the area is necessary as no path exists in parts. The total elevation gain is 859 meters, no part of the hike is downhill. At the top of the pass you will see Goats cave on your right.
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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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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 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 South Fork is a smuggling route with a trail. Lotheni South Fork is an easier hike than the North Fork.
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The Maliba Circular Route is a 13km hike (8miles), starting at Maliba Lodge at 2030m, following the Upper Route to Black Pool, then climbing steadily up to 2626m above sea level. Thereafter you come down the fairly steep valley to the ventilation shaft, and then circle back to the lodge through gate #8 and the river po ...
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Maliba Lower Trail To Black Pool Grade in Tsehlanyane National Park is a 3.1km (1.9 miles), a gentle walk will take about 1 hour 20 minutes to Black Pool. This route follows the Hlotse River and is almost the same distance as the Upper route but has fewer climbs making it enjoyable for all age groups. The Lower trail ...
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Maliba Upper Trail To Black Pool in the Tsehlanyane National Park is an easy 3.2km hike (2 miles), taking about 1 hours 20 minutes to Black Pool. A circular route returning via Lower trail should take about 2 hours 30 minutes. The upper trail starts from the junction about 140m north of the lodge veranda, accessed off ...
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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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