Expeditions

uKhahlamba-Drakensberg · 15 routes

Basalt escarpment cliffs above steep green grass slopes

Northern Berg · Out and back

The Amphitheatre via the Chain Ladders

Moderate

The shortest walk onto the escarpment anywhere in the Berg.

  • 21km
  • 750m
  • 2D · 1N
Snow-dusted sandstone ridge under low cloud, red grassland below

Central Berg · Out and back

Gray’s Pass to Champagne Castle

Hard

Up the boulder-choked Gray’s Pass past Nkosazana Cave onto the escarpment, then a gentle walk up to Champagne Castle at 3377 m — the second-highest point in South Africa.

  • 28km
  • 1 700m
  • 2D · 1N
Golden grassy hills and a wooded valley in late evening light

Southern Berg · Traverse

Southern Traverse: Cobham to Bushman’s Nek

Very hard

Five days point to point through the emptiest part of the Berg, linking Cobham to Bushman’s Nek along the escarpment.

  • 64km
  • 3 200m
  • 5D · 4N
Snow-dusted sandstone ridge under low cloud, red grassland below

Central Berg · Traverse

Bell Traverse via Organ Pipes

Hard

Up Organ Pipes Pass onto the escarpment and along the contour path beneath the Bell and the Horns.

  • 38km
  • 1 900m
  • 3D · 2N
Two hikers on a winding road below a row of jagged green peaks

Central Berg · Out and back

Injisuthi to Marble Baths

Hard

Deep into the Injisuthi valley to swim in the smooth rock pools at Marble Baths.

  • 34km
  • 1 300m
  • 3D · 2N
Two hikers on a winding road below a row of jagged green peaks

Central Berg · Out and back

Cathedral Peak

Very hard

A very long day with a real summit at the end of it.

  • 19km
  • 1 550m
  • Day hike
A jagged mountain range glowing orange at sunrise above green valleys

Central Berg · Circuit

Giant’s Castle to Langalibalele Pass

Hard

A three-day loop out of Giant’s Castle using the mountain huts: up the Bushman’s River valley to Bannerman’s Hut, over Langalibalele Pass onto the escarpment, and back down Giant’s Pass.

  • 42km
  • 2 000m
  • 3D · 2N
Golden grass slopes rising to hazy basalt peaks on a clear day

Northern Berg · Out and back

Tugela Gorge

Moderate

The classic first walk in the Royal Natal valley, up the river into the throat of the Amphitheatre.

  • 14km
  • 400m
  • Day hike
Basalt escarpment cliffs above steep green grass slopes

Central Berg · Out and back

Ndedema Gorge

Moderate

A forested gorge full of rock-art shelters, with a night in Sebaayeni Cave.

  • 26km
  • 700m
  • 2D · 1N
A hiker in silhouette facing peaks lit red by the low sun

Southern Berg · Out and back

Thabana Ntlenyana from Sani Top

Hard

The highest point in southern Africa, reached across open Lesotho highland from the top of Sani Pass.

  • 24km
  • 1 000m
  • 2D · 1N
A hiker in silhouette facing peaks lit red by the low sun

Northern Berg · Circuit

Mnweni Circuit

Hard

The best multi-day circuit in the Berg and the one with the fewest people on it.

  • 56km
  • 2 400m
  • 4D · 3N
A hiker with a bedroll on their pack looking across a valley under big clouds

Southern Berg · Out and back

Rhino Peak

Hard

The Southern Berg’s signature day hike.

  • 15km
  • 1 200m
  • Day hike
Golden grassy hills and a wooded valley in late evening light

Northern Berg · Out and back

Sentinel Peak

Very hard

The fortress on the western end of the Amphitheatre, summited by a steep gully and an exposed scramble.

  • 12km
  • 1 100m
  • Day hike
A jagged mountain range glowing orange at sunrise above green valleys

Central Berg · Circuit

Monk’s Cowl to Blind Man’s Corner

Moderate

A loop on the Little Berg under Champagne Castle, past Sphinx and Breakfast Stream to camp at Blind Man’s Corner.

  • 30km
  • 900m
  • 2D · 1N
Golden grass slopes rising to hazy basalt peaks on a clear day

Southern Berg · Traverse

Giant’s Cup Trail

Moderate

Five easy-paced days through the Southern Berg foothills, hut to hut from Sani Pass to Bushman’s Nek.

  • 60km
  • 2 000m
  • 5D · 4N