Contour path Giants castle - Cobham Drakensberg

Hi all 

I require some assistance with a route I plan to do. It starts at giants castle hutted camp following down the giants ridge to the contour path. My plan was to hike down to Lotheni camp. my question is where do I go south from Lotheni? I don´t want to go on the escarpment as my team has no passports so preferably staying in South Africa. I saw a post about going down the Hlathimbe river valley down to the hook then going up from there but I`m not sure. I see there are a few ruins near the area of the hook Mimela ruins, If some one please can direct me a bit as this one of my first major trips. I know where to go after the hook. I know to the readers this post is a little bit jumbled I apologize. 

I look forward to seeing where to go.

May your travels be forever great!
 

I don't believe it is practical to do this without ascending to the escarpment for for a short 3km stretch between Hlathimbe pass and Mlahlangubu pass. 

What if we go down the Hlathimbe  River valley? its a relatively short distance to travel in the valley before acceding to the other side near the Hook. Are you aware of that area? that would be at the base of Hlathimbe pass.

Hi

I wanted to go on this route because, firstly its way to put my survival skills to use, I understand its not the most conventional route, I just feel like doing something people don´t do or haven´t done in years. When I mean its one of my first routes I meant in the area, I am a trained scout and have been on other adventures, mostly in the south of the berg towards Cobham. 

My biggest reasoning is Its been an idea for while and if you let dreams die you´ll never see them bloom. The whole reason I joined this forum was to learn from experience I understand safety  is a concern but thrill comes with a little danger. After all What is hiking but a soul journey and a Thrill..  

So please if there any solid support then share, im being as safe as I can in my planning its why I ask for the bits that might seem a abit misleading.

Hi, I believe that what you want to do can be done, and would encourage you to go for it and realise your dream. 

I haven’t personally done this route, but am aware of several others who have and have some information from them, and would like to do this route myself. I have done a lot of research, and planning on google earth, for when I am ready to do it, and it definitely can be done. From Lotheni camp there are two possible routes to take, both involve a steep descent into the Hlathimbe valley, and exiting via The Hook to Vergelegen. The first option is to use the contour path from Lotheni towards the base of the Hlathimbe Passes, go a short way down the KaZwelela Ridge path, then descend off the path into the Mbachweni valley, and go downstream to the Memela ruin/Kapper’s Mine area, then to The Hook. The second option is to go from Lotheni to the base of KaZwelela Ridge, and go past the KaZwelele ruin, south and east around below the ridge, and down into the valley to the Memela ruin/Kapper’s Mine area, then to The Hook. Both of these routes avoid the cliffs and severe terrain higher up in the Hlathimbe valley. 

If you want more information, have questions, or want more discussion, I’m happy to help.

HI that´s great to hear there are options I have been looking at how to do, I see you one one down to the Hlantimbe base, If you could share more info on this that would be great I haven´t managed to find much. Im honestly excited there are others with the same enthusiasm to this sort of trip. I know before probably in the last 100 years people used to trek that regularly. Im keen to learn what your guidance gives.

Id also absolutely like to discuss how you have planned perhaps with all the info provided we can make a trail recognized again