130-mile trek across the Drakensberg Escarpment in South Africa

Drakensberg Grand Traverse

130-mile trek across the Drakensberg Escarpment in South Africa

April to

December

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Miles
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Days

41h 49m

FKT (Standard)

Route

about the trek

What to Expect

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse (DGT) is a series of waypoints, rather than a set trail. In fact, only around 10 miles of the route is maintained. The rest must be navigated through the Maloti-Drakensberg Park on the border between South Africa and Lesotho. While elevation and distance vary considerably, based on your route, the most common (and most efficient) routes tend to cover around 135 miles and 30,000 feet of elevation.

"The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is more akin to a peak-bagging route than a trail. "

-Korrin Bishop

The DGT starts at the Sentinel Car Park near Witsieshoek and ends at the Bushman’s Neck Border Post. Along the way, those hoping to complete this epic hike have to reach the summits of Thabana Ntlenyana (the highest point in southern Africa – located in Lesotho – 11,425 feet), Mafadi (the highest point in South Africa, 11,325 feet), Champagne Castle, Giant’s Castle, Mont Aux Sources, and Cleft Peak, among other waypoints.

Itinerary

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