Things to Do in Giants Castle Nature Reserve
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Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve Starting at Injisuthi Camp, this popular day hike climbs through beautiful indigenous forest with some magnificent specimens of yellowwood trees.
Once you emerge from the forest, you’ll be able to see wonderful views of Cathkin Peak, Monk’s Cowl, Ship’s Prow, the Greater Injisuthi Buttress, the Red Wall and the Triplets. Try to get a very early start if you want to see clear views of the mountains. The clouds usually shroud the mountain by midday.
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.5 km
Nature Reserves
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve Sublime mountain scenery and exhilarating hiking steals the show at Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, but that’s not all this historic park has to offer.
Giant's Castle is home of the largest antelope in Africa, the eland, and the impressive bearded vulture. Watch these broad-winged beauties and some of South Africa’s rarest birds swoop down for meaty treats at the Vulture Restaurant during the winter season.
Situated in the central region of the UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reserve is a spectacular fusion of grassy plateau and deep valleys careering down from the lofty Drakensberg peaks.
Other attractions are the rather commercialised but wonderful rock-art sites and the Main Caves Museum, providing alluring glimpses into the past lifestyle of the San people.
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve The Marble Baths
Trail is a fair 9 km hike from Injisuthi camp. The route follows the footpath to Fergy's Cave. After 4 km, take the right fork along the Injisuthi River. Overnight in the cave at Marble Baths.
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve The hiking route incorporating Grindstone Caves and Cataract Valley
is graded a moderate 4-hour hike. Start at Injasuti camp and follow the circular route to Grindstone Caves, the waterfalls and Cataract Valley. Return along the Mhlwazini River back to Injasuti camp.
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 13 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve Start at the Injasuti office and take the Cowl Stream divergence. This short one-hour walk turns left at the incline to the Old Kraal and then a quick left again through a yellowwood forest to the Old Woman Stream. The path leads back to the camp after the stream crossing.
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve Start at the Monk's Cowl KZN Wildlife office on a southbound path. The Crystal Falls and Sphinx Trail will eventually head west across to the Sphinx and beyond to Breakfast Stream. This moderate 1.5 hour hike is the initial section of all the routes radiating from the Monk's Cowl office.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve The most challenging route from Monk's Cowl to Injasuti
Camp follows the Contour Path. Although considered moderate, the 9-hour trek is the least traipsed and at 21 km, it’s the longest.
Duration: 9 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Distance: 21 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve The challenging 6.5-km hike along Langalibalele Pass to the Main Caves
starts at Giant's Castle main campsite. Although the route is steep, the pass is actually one of the shortest in the Drakensberg.
Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Distance: 6.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve Mhlwazini Valley Trail
offers a tough 9 to 10 hour trek from the Monks Cowl campsite. The 24 km route ascends the Sphinx before curving around the uppermost reaches of the Hlatikulu Forest. From here the trail descends into the valley and along the Mhlwazini River.
Duration: 9 – 10 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 24 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve The hike to Sterkspruit Falls through the gorge is a moderate to severe 6-hour trail. Some fun boulder hopping and river crossings are required on this tough long route. Start at Monks Cowl Campsite and follow the Serkspruit River into the gorge. Return via the Little Berg, descending to the Sphinx and back to the campsite.
Duration: 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve Guided 4-hour tours of the Battle Cave offer pictorial displays depicting Bushman life in the valley and a taped guide to the paintings. Overnight stays in the Lower Injasuti Cave can be arranged. Book in advance for this experience and the Battle Cave tour.
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve The trail over Champagne Castle via Gray's Pass is an extreme but blissful 19 km trek in hiking paradise. This route ascends the Mhlwazini Valley between Champagne Castle and Monk's Cowl. Knockout views are ample reward for the physical effort required to do this hike.
Duration: 2 – 3 days
Difficulty: Extreme
Distance: 19 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve The lovely Fern Forest Trail is a comfortable 30-minute amble along a stream and through forest. After a 1 km walk, the path leads to a picnic spot at a waterfall.
Duration: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1 km
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve The hike to Giant’s Hut via Giant’s Castle Pass
is a punishing 4-hour trek. The steep 6 km trail starts at Giant's Castle Camp and continues up to the top of Little Berg. Not suitable for inexperienced hikers.
Hiking Trail
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Giants Castle Nature Reserve Ascend the Steilberg to the summit of Little Berg on the moderately graded 4-hour Stable Cave Trail. The route overlooks the stunning Valley of Pools from a narrow ridge of the Little Berg Plateau.
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9.5 km