Discover the Untamed Beauty of Garden Castle State Forest
Explore Garden Castle State Forest, a stunning nature preserve in the Drakensberg, where adventure meets tranquility in South Africa's breathtaking landscapes.
Garden Castle State Forest is a breathtaking nature preserve nestled in the Drakensberg region, offering tourists a stunning retreat into the heart of South Africa’s natural beauty. With its diverse flora and fauna, hiking trails, and picturesque scenery, it is an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
A brief summary to Garden Castle State Forest
- Drakensberg Road, Underberg, Drakensberg Garden, 3257, ZA
- +27337011823
Local tips
- Visit early in the morning to enjoy the serene atmosphere and catch the sunrise over the mountains.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are limited facilities within the forest.
- Wear sturdy hiking boots to navigate the trails comfortably and safely.
- Check local weather conditions before your visit to ensure a pleasant hiking experience.
- Respect the natural environment by staying on marked trails and carrying out all trash.
Getting There
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Car
From Sani Pass, head towards the town of Underberg. Follow the Sani Pass Road (R617) which connects to the N3 highway. As you approach Underberg, watch for signs leading to Drakensberg Road. Turn onto Drakensberg Road, and continue straight until you reach the Garden Castle State Forest entrance. The total drive is approximately 45 minutes, depending on road conditions.
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Public Transportation
If you’re using public transportation, take a taxi or shuttle service from Sani Pass to Underberg. Once in Underberg, you may need to arrange for a local taxi to take you to Garden Castle State Forest. Make sure to confirm the fare with the driver before beginning your journey. The taxi ride from Underberg to the forest entrance should take about 20 minutes.
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Hiking
For the adventurous, you can hike from Underberg to Garden Castle State Forest. The hike is approximately 10 km and can take around 3-4 hours. Ensure you have a reliable map and adequate supplies, as parts of the route may not be well marked. It's recommended to start early in the day and inform someone of your plans.
Discover more about Garden Castle State Forest
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Bergwinds
0.7 km
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Lake Naverone Self Catering Cottages
1.7 km
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Eland Valley Resort
2.8 km
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Castleburn Resort
4.5 km
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Winterhoek Hut (Giants Cup Trail)
5.5 km
Experience the serene beauty of Winterhoek Hut, your gateway to the Giants Cup Trail in the breathtaking Mkhomazi Wilderness area.
Pillar Cave
7.4 km
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Splashy Fen Cottage
10.7 km
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Bushmans Nek Berg and Trout Resort
11.4 km
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Masoba-Soba Lodge
18.4 km
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Sani Pass Border Control (Lesotho)
18.5 km
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Sani Stone Lodge
18.5 km
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Eagles' Rock
19.1 km
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Sani Valley Nature Lodges
20.8 km
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Mkomazana Mountain Cottages
20.9 km
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Premier Resort Sani Pass
21.4 km
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Unmissable attractions to see
Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Leisure Resort
1.2 km
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Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort
1.3 km
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Hippo Pools
2.8 km
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Swiman Hut (Giant's Cup Trail)
3.7 km
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Sleeping Beauty Cave
7.0 km
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Bamboo Mountain
9.6 km
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Giant's Cup Wilderness Reserve
11.9 km
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Pholela Cave
13.6 km
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Gorge Cave
13.8 km
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Cobham Nature Reserve - Bathplug Waterfall
14.0 km
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Lammergeier Cave
14.5 km
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Spring Waterfall and Baboon Cave
15.9 km
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Tarn Cave
16.4 km
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Khotso Lodge & Horse Trails
17.1 km
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Sani Pass
18.2 km
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Essential places to dine
Vine Knot Restaurant
1.3 km
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The Bush Pot Restaurant
11.4 km
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Duck & Dolittle Restaurant
20.5 km
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Hackers Grill
23.5 km
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Moorcroft Manor
25.8 km
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1010 Diner
53.5 km
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Fam Pizza Restaurant
54.3 km
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Maboitumelo Catering and Boitumelo hall
54.4 km
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Izimbali Restaurant
59.2 km
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Mediterranean Harbor - Tlokoeng
65.8 km
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Chindo's Restaurant
66.8 km
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Pizzeria
66.8 km
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Liranteng Public Bar
66.8 km
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Lethaha public bar
67.0 km
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drink
67.2 km
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Elands Rest Convenience Store
2.3 km
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UnderBerg Shop
2.3 km
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The Old Hatchery & Waterfall Restaurant
17.3 km
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Heritage Plants Underberg
20.0 km
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Vanilla Rose accents
20.5 km
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The Olde Duck
20.5 km
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Country Bell
23.7 km
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Nestle
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Underberg SUPERSPAR
24.0 km
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Moden Furniture
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The Clothes Horse
24.2 km
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Speckled Hen
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Sani Outdoors
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Acutts ( Sbong Ophezulu Printing and Clothing
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The Lemon Tree Farm Shop & Bistro
24.3 km
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Underberg Inn Pub & Grill
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Joyce Offsales
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Makhalong Tavern
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Nip Inn
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LL
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Sphiwo Bar
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The Overhang Bar
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High Liquor Tavern
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50/50 public bar
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Nchebeng Guest House
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Liranteng
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Nonyana ea Mpitsa
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Mini House
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Mamosa bar
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Semphete
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