Drakensberg Hikes

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Drakensberg Hikes is your one-stop information resource incorporating the Maloti-Drakensberg Park and surrounding areas which showcases the beauty of the Drakensberg and provides information about hikes, accommodation and activities. You can explore which hike, pass, peak, cave or valley you would like to visit next and contact the service providers via their personal contact forms for accommodation, activities and guided hikes.

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Articles and hikes written by Drakensberg Hikes

Cedric's Pool Hike

The pool is apparently named after Cedric Biggs, a former leader of the Mountain Backpackers Club. Cedric was known for plunging through the ice into the freezing pool. Cedric's pool is also referred…

Witsieshoek Lodge to Gudu Falls

A 3.6 km hike to the top of Gudu Falls via the “Crack” with an elevation drop of 263m along the way. There is beautiful swimming pools, within 20 metres of the falls and a lunch area at this very pic…

Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls via Chain Ladder Pass

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 rou…

Chain Ladder Pass, Tugela Falls & Beacon Buttress Gully

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. O…

Giant's Cup Trail

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…

Tarn Cave Hike

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 646m along the way, a slow and easy pace and you will be there in arou…

The Sphinx Hike

A moderate walk from Monks Cowl of 2.4 km and elevation of 312 m to the Sphinx passing Crystal falls on the way. The views are lovely once reaching the Sphinx. Along the way you walk past Crystal Fa…

Giant's Castle Pass

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…

Thamathu Cave Hike

A moderately severe 4-5 hrs hike (10 km's) This hike follows a well-defined path on the northern flank of the Thamathu Ridge. The cave faces north-east and sleeps up to 12 people. The cave is not ver…

Thamathu Cave & Lammergeier Cave Hike

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 Thamathu Ridge. The c…

Whyte's Cave & Secret Cave Hike

A portion of this hike has no path to follow. On the first day starting at Bushman's Nek we walked 10km's with 850m elevation again and were privileged to see three caves, sleeping in Whyte's Cave fo…

Caracal Cave Hike

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 on the way back to the H…

Mzimkulwana Hut and Lakes Cave Hike

A stunning 3-day hike. If you want a moderately easy hike, enjoy seeing Bushman Paintings with the luxury of a Hut on night 1 and enjoy caves as your accommodation on night 2 this is the hike for you…

Gxalingenwa Cave Circular Hike

12.5 km's (5 hours) from Pholela Hut to Gxalingenwa Cave and 11.5 km (4 hours) return via Pinnacle Rock. This hike is great for bird watching and game viewing as it follows Emerald Stream, past indi…

Sleeping Beauty Cave Hike

An easy 2 hour hike over 3.7 km with a total uphill of 381m. 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…

Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo) Hike

An difficult 20km hike which takes roughly 5 hours to the Rhino Peak with a total uphill of 1 236m. An early start and the hike to the top and back can be done in a day, else take is easy and sleep i…