Pillar Cave Hike

Author: SA Hikes

In the Mountains, Moderate Hikes, Day Hikes, KwaZulu-Natal, Garden Castle Nature Reserve, Maloti-Drabensberg Park

Cave capacity: 12 people

Total hike distance: 9 km

Elevation gain: 287 metres

About Pillar Cave Hike

A great family day hike to Pillar Cave where you can have lunch at the cave while enjoying the stunning views of Rhino Peak and the surrounding mountains.

Pillar Cave - top left of path

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The Rhino - Pillar Cave Hike

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Pillar Cave

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View from Pillar Cave

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Hike Directions

Starting at Garden Castle Reserve office, walk towards the gum trees to the right of the office and towards Hermits Wood Campsite. From here, follow the path up with the Mlambonja River on your right.

You cross the Mlambonja River and climb up a short wooden ladder to the other side just before the 3km mark from the start.

After a few hundred metres you cross the river again and then head upwards on the steepest section of the hike to Pillar Cave, at most this is about 1km. Return via the same route.

About the area

The Garden Castle reserve is 35 300 hectares in extent and offers the visitor a variety of experiences. Dominated by the Rhino (a 3051m Peak which extends about 2km from the main escarpment), the area is characterized by many unusual sandstone buttresses and other formations.

Address & Contact details

The starting point is at Garden Castle Reserve, Southern Drakensberg.

All enquiries and bookings can be made telephonically, or by e-mail to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Reservations Office:

Telephone: +27 (0) 33 845 1000
General Information: + 27 (0) 33 845 1002
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.