Giants Cup Trail

 

The Giants Cup Hiking Trail is part of the Drakensberg Park National Hiking Way.  The hike follows a clearly marked trail that runs southwards from Sani Pass in the north to Bushmans Nek in the south, the full trail being approximately 60km in length.  SA Trails offers a ‘slackpacking’ version of the full hike with daily shuttles to/from the trail head and overnight accommodation in comfortable guest lodges close to the trail route

Trail Details

Trail location

Southern Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal

Nearest city

Nearest town are Himeville and Underberg.

Transport options

Away from transport hubs. Self-drive or private transport arrangements to and from Himeville or Underberg. Shuttle by arrangements.

Trip Duration / Options

Option 1.  4 days walking / 4 or 5 nights fully catered  (full hike)

Option 2.   3 days walking /   or 4 nights fully catered  (Sani Pass to Drakensberg Gardens)

Start / Finish

Start: Sani Pass Road
GPS: 29˚37’38.00 S / 29˚ 24’24.00 E

Finish: Bushmans Nek
GPS: 29˚50’39.00 S / 29˚ 12’55.00 E with transport provided back to the start.

Daily Time / Distances

Day 1: 13km
Day 2: 18km
Day 3: 11km
Day 4: 15km

Trail Grading

On a grading of Easy – Moderate – Strenuous

Moderate with some steep sections.  Follows well marked contour path

Physical Fitness

An average level of hiking fitness required for regular hikers.

Technical detail / Terrain

On marked path with erosion controls.
Some sections steep and rocky but only for short distances. No technical skills required

Accommodation

Choice of local hotel or guest house accommodation. Luxury or standard versions of the hike offered (depending on numbers and budget)

Food Supply / Catering

All meals provided.
Dinner, bed and breakfast at overnight venues.
Packed lunch provided each hike day

Logistic support / Guiding

Daily shuttles to the trail head and back at end of day’s hike.

Trails maps and profiles provided.

Local knowledge and experience with emergency back-up if needed

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Highlights

Follows the contour path below the peaks of the Southern Drakensberg.
Beautiful mountain views each day.
Isolation and splendor of mountain scenery.

Other Activities

Optional extras include a day hike up to Rhino Peak (3000 m peak)
Sani Pass day trip by car into Lesotho.

Fauna & Flora

Most of the trail traverses treeless mountain grassveld with mixed Protea vegetation.

Baboons, Select Antelopes including Eland and Mountain Reedback are common.

Special bird species are Cape  and Bearded Vultures and variety of raptors.
Sugar birds and annual migrants in the protea and valley montane during summer

Climate

Generally cold dry winters and hot summers with seasonal rainfall. Weather conditions can change rapidly with thunderstorms and even snowstorms arriving suddenly so hikers must be prepared for all conditions. 

Seasonality & Best Time Year

Best time of year for flowering plants and more settled weather conditions are the spring (September to November)  or autumn months (March to May).

Group Size

Minimum of 4 hikers – maximum of 10 hikers per group

Price P/P

From R 7500 per person sharing for a 4 night / 4 day fully inclusive package

R

Price Includes

  • 4 nights accommodation (pp sharing)
  • All meals and pack lunches
  • Daily transport from trail heads to accommodation
  • Optional Extras: 
    Extra nights DBB accommodation
    Sani Pass Day Tour
    Guided Rhino Peak hike (full day)

SA Trails & Underberg Hideaways

Here you'll find any scheduled trails that you can join. Trails may be booked up to one year in advance, so be sure to scroll ahead using the arrows on the left to find if there are any available.  The trail operator page will also list any scheduled trails.

If you would like to enquire about different dates, please fill in the form below.  Trails are initiated when someone makes an enquiry, and go ahead once the minimum numbers are confirmed.

Giants Cup Slackpacker Trail

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