Giant's Castle

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Giant's Castle
Giants Castle at sunrise from the contour path.jpg
Giant's Castle at sunrise
Highest point
Elevation 3,315 m (10,876 ft)
Prominence 218 m (715 ft)
Listing List of mountains in South Africa
Coordinates 29°20′0″S29°29′0″E / 29.33333°S 29.48333°E / -29.33333; 29.48333
Geography
South Africa relief location map.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Giant's Castle
Location in South Africa
Location KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Parent range Drakensberg
Climbing
Easiest route Scramble
Panorama at Giant's Castle GiantsCastlePanoramaSmall.jpg
Panorama at Giant's Castle
Giant's Castle 3D Giant's Castle 3D.gif
Giant's Castle 3D

Giant's Castle is a mountain located within the Drakensberg range in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It includes a grassy plateau nestled among the deep valleys of the southern end of the central Drakensberg. Together, the shape of the peaks and escarpment are thought to resemble a sleeping giant's profile; hence, its name.

Contents

Giant's Castle is best known for its nature reserve and the bushman rock art preserved at its main caves, and the game reserve is home of the eland as well as the bearded vulture and Cape vulture. The area is considered one of South Africa's many adventure areas, and attracts hikers, nature enthusiasts, and other tourists. It also hosts the Giant's Challenge marathon in April each year. The Treverton Grade 10s take a 15 day hike to summit this peak in their 3rd term. [ citation needed ]

Hiking Trails

There are in excess of 25 walks in the Giant's Castle Game Reserve. The 285 kilometres (177 mi) network of trails here includes 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) to 30 kilometres (19 mi) hikes, spanning from 1 hour to overnight.

There are currently 14 recognized escarpment passes in the region (listed north to south):

References

  1. "Corner Pass". Vertical Endeavour. 29 April 2008.
  2. "You Be The Judge". Vertical Endeavour.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. Newman, Jonathan (24 September 2012). "I Am Crazy But I Am Not Stupid". Vertical Endeavour.
  4. "Bannerman Pass". Drakensberg Hikes. April 2025.
  5. "Thumb Pass". Vertical Endeavour. 4 April 2012.
  6. 1 2 Newman, Jonathan. "Hlubi Passes". Vertical Endeavour.
  7. Newman, Jonathan. "Langalibalele Pass". Vertical Endeavour.
  8. Newman, Jonathan (16 August 2012). "Bond Pass". Vertical Endeavour.
  9. 1 2 3 "Jarateng Passes". Vertical Endeavour. April 2012.
  10. "Hike Report Giants Castle Giants Pass". Vertical Endeavour. 28 March 2013.