Giants Cup Slackpack Hike

Hikers usually self drive to the Southern Drakensberg to check into their lodge for the night before the hike as it is a 6 hour drive from JHB or 3hrs from Durban.

A pick up shuttle can be arranged from King Shaka airport if needed.  Please request if flying into Durban.

After breakfast you will be transported to the start of the trail at the bottom of Sani Pass. The first objective is to cross the ridge between the Mkomazana and Gxalingwa valleys. Ngwenya Pools is an ideal stop for lunch on a sunny day . After this the trail gradually ascends through attractive country into the Pholela valley, crossing a suspension bridge over the river to the Cobham reserve. You will be collected from this point for your transfer back to your guesthouse

This is the longest and most eventful day and you will need to make an early start to get the most out of it! You will be transported to the beginning of the day's walk at Cobham and continue the trail which ascends the Siphongweni Ridge past Tortoise Rocks before traversing its southern flank and dropping down into the Mzimkulwana valley. You will see the Mzimkulwana Hut (normally the 2nd nights hut on the GC Trail) nestling beside one of the tributaries of the Umzimkulu. This is a good spot to have a lunch break after about 3hrs of easy contour walking.

The remainder of the days hike will first take you on a long climb towards Little Bamboo Mountain. On the top of the ridge you will find a number of small ponds (tarns) where blue cranes frequent and the remains of a petrified forest. After that the trail follows a pleasant stream valley with tempting swimming pools, and finally drops down to the Drakensberg Gardens Valley where you will be picked up and taken to your local guesthouse for the third night.

An easier day of hiking after the tired legs from Day 2.  A short hike via the scenic but steep Black Eagle Pass takes you from Castleburn to the Drakensberg Gardens ridge where you will enjoy spectacular views over the mountain skyline. The trail then follows to the west of Garden Castle mountain ridge between the two river valleys of the Mzimkulu and the Mzimude.

Many pleasant vistas present themselves as you follow the contour path to the west of Garden Castle peak. Near the end of the trail you will see Drakensberg Gardens hotel below you. Follow the path down to the hotel from where you will be picked up to return to your guesthouse.

This optional day is considered by many hikers to be the best day’s walk of the trail. It more remote than the rest of the trail so you are likely to see more game and less people than anywhere else. You also have the wide open vistas of the Drakensberg mountains with a few high peaks to enjoy as you walk through the grasslands of the Mzimude catchment area.

The trail will eventually take you up and into to a broad valley passing Langalibalele Cave and beneath the fire look-out tower before descending to Bushmans Nek. The trail ends at the South African border post from where you will be picked up to return to your first accommodation at Himeville.