Sleeping Beauty Cave Hike

Author: Drakensberg Hikes

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

Cave capacity: 10 people

Total hike distance: 8 km

Elevation gain: 381 metres

About 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 is enough flat sections in the cave to sleep 10 people comfortably.

Hike Directions

Starting from Garden Castle Reserve head to the left (Swiman Hut direction) and cross the wooden bridge over the stream. The path leads comfortably along a stream which you cross twice just after the 2km mark. Cross the stream again about 500m further along. The path becomes more strenuous now as you head uphill.

Many steep steps lead up through the bushes to the Sleeping Beauty Cave.

If you follow the trail further, you will reach Engagement Cave, which offers a cozy and sheltered sleeping spot for two people. 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
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