Markus and Christiana from Munich with Giant's Castle
Giant’s Castle, the easternmost point on the Natal escarpment, is a prominent peak in the Drakensberg. 3314m above sea level it is the 10th highest point in South Africa and can be ‘easily’ climbed on foot via the Giant’s Castle Pass, its head being only 2km from the summit.
While researching for their 3-week holiday in South Africa, Markus and Christiana from Munich had read about the Giants Castle in the Drakensberg Mountains, and decided to start their journey with a hike in the area.
If you would like to do this hike contact us at [email protected] or have a look at our website www.spanafrican-adventures.co.za for other exciting options.
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-3L9JBF.jpeg)
Christiana hiking up Giant's Ridge
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-3zjWf0.jpeg)
First close view of Giant's Castle Pass
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-A8q8a1.jpeg)
We arrived at our campsite just before the afternoon thunderstorms
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-KIvuTx.jpeg)
The next day we hid our backpacks and went for the top unladen
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-cfCIkV.jpeg)
Even without a backpack on Giant's Castle pass is a long 800m ascent
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-ySO42M.jpeg)
As you approach the top of the pass this gets steeper and rockier
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-J1AqKb.jpeg)
Not far from the top now
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-Rmc5dB.jpeg)
Once on the escarpment all the hard work is rewarded with stunning panoramic vistas
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-c7R8Tx.jpeg)
Markus with the Long Wall in the background
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-apUck3.jpeg)
Our campsite for our 2 nights in the Berg - No bad, hey?
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-76jwp6.jpeg)
The last day we woke up to a rainy morning - It was time to leave the mountains
![Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012 Giant’s Castle with Markus and Christiana – 8-10 February 2012](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/14/144400/giants-castle-with-markus-and-christiana-8-10-L-_1PtQL.jpeg)
We packed everything and waited in our tents for the first break in the rain to get moving.