Southern Drakensberg

From Bushmans Neck to Loteni, the Southern Drakensberg is generally the most friendly and less intimidating section of The Drakensberg. The valley's tend to be less steep and the Mountain Passes more genteel. Still, Southern Africa's highest point is still located in this region and often approached from Cobham nature reserve.

The Sandstone formations in Garden Castle are impressive in their own right while The Giants Cup trail is another well known landmark of the area. Less well known is the good mountaineering / snow gully routes in the region. Not quite waterfall ice climbing but still requiring crampons and walking axes, these routes come into condition in the winter months after a good snow fall.

Local Advertisers

No items found.

the Southern Drakensberg hosts the start or end point for people undertaking The Grand Traverse, offers a great introduction to altitude via an easy hike from Pillar Cave to The Rhino.

Climbing options include snow, waterfall ice and rock with a rare routes on the lower Sandstone layer.

Road access varies from area to area with some being good asphalt roads with upmarket resorts and spar's bordering the park, to some of the lesser visited areas.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vertigo Gear (@vertigogear)

‍

Multi Pitch

Tristan Firman climbing pitch 4 of Jack and The Beanstalk. Photo: Robyn Johnson

Wild Sandstone formations above Sleeping Beauty Cave

Garden Castle

This is some text inside of a div block.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

This is some text inside of a div block.

Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Friendly and accessible hiking and climbing with a good campsite. One of the lowest effort/engagement area's of The Drakensberg and home to rare lower sandstone rock climbing.

3200

m ASL

Single & Multi Pitch

Sani Pass

This is some text inside of a div block.

Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

The world famous Sani Pass offers more than just a 4x4 adventure, it gives access to the Lesotho Highlands, and one of South Africa's Ice Climbing destinations.

min

VIEW GPS TRACK

2860

m ASL

Multi Pitch

Sleeping Beauty

This is some text inside of a div block.

Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

The Sandstone climbing around Sleeping Beauty Cave.

min

120

VIEW GPS TRACK

3200

m ASL

No Properties found.

Hodgeson's Peaks seen from Sani Lodge, form the Giants Cup (after which the hiking trail is named)

Sani Pass

This is some text inside of a div block.

1-3 Hour

Half Day

Full Day

Multi Day

Home to the start of The Giants Cup Trail, Sani Pass area offers a range of other hikes as well, and the Pass itself is often hiked, run or mountain biked.

256

km from

Durban

1550

2860

m ASL

No Properties found.

Trail

Distance

Elevation

Duration

Grade

Gxalingenwa Waterfall

137

1-3 hrs

Very Easy

Easy

Moderate

Hard

Extreme

Interactive Icons

GAIA GPS

Click to see the GPX track.
Requires GAIA GPS App

Google Maps

Click to see the Parking Area . Requires
Google Maps

Icons and Symbols

AM Shade

Morning ; Afternoon ; All Day or NO Shade

10B | Ch

Equipped with x number of Bolts & Chains (lower off rings)

Alpine

Area's or routes located in mountainous regions and requiring multiple mountain skills (navigation ; extreme weather ; self sufficiency ; remote )

Ice

Area or Route requires Ice Climbing and associated Winter skills

Sport

Area or Route is fully equipped as a sport climb. Separate distinction for # of PITCHES

Sport & Trad

Area or Route is a mixture of SPORT & Trad climbing styles

Trad

Area or Route requires Traditional equipment and experties

2 Pitches

Indicates the typical # of pitches of the area or route

Special

Indicates that a specialised Rack or Traditional equipment is typically required and will be mentioned in the Route Description BETA

Standard

Indicates that typically a Standard Traditional Rack will suffice. Typically in ZA that is a 8-10 Cams + 10-15 wires/nuts.

50m

Indicates the minimum length rope needed to typically climb safely.

Double

Typically climbed using half ropes

Corner

Climbs or mostly climbs a corner system. This often requires stemming as a technique.

Crack Climb

Follows a crack-system predominantly and may require good jamming technique.

Overhang

Indicates the overall style. Face climbing is steeper than slab usually on small holds and edges, often feeling delicate / insecure.

Overhang

Overhanging, usually involving roofs.

Powerful

Powerful style is often in conjunction with another style but feeling more powerful than is common for the style.

Slab

Usually not quite vertical and requiring smearing and friction techniques.

Steep

Consistently steeper than Vertical but not overhanging / roof-y

Technical

Additional to general styles, requiring careful sequence and thoughtful climbing.

Vert

General vertical climbing with no other defining style.

Crime

Beware of high incidence of crime

Exposed Sections

Beware of exposed sections

Flooding

Be ware of localised flooding and swollen rivers & river crossings

Highball

Warning - Highball boulder

Lightning

Beware thunderstorms and lightning

Scramble Sections

Sections involve scrambling and may require a rope

Different Start & End Point

The starting and ending points for this adventure are at different locations and may require seperate transport.

Water Shortage

Water can be scarce, be sure to carry sufficient.

Local Advertisers

Garden Castle

Sani Pass

Sleeping Beauty

Sani Pass

Trail

Distance

Elevation

Duration

Grade

Interactive Icons

Icons and Symbols

VERTIGO GEAR

Vertigo Adventures