Mariepskop Hike
A half-day to full-day hike to the summit of Mariepskop, the highest peak on the northern Drakensberg escarpment, above the Blyde River Canyon.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The Panorama Route's one real summit hike. Do the viewpoints, then come up here for the big picture.
The Panorama Route's one real summit hike. Do the viewpoints, then come up here for the big picture.
- Trip Role
- Worth a Detour
- Ideal Stay
- Half a day
- Time Needed
- 4-6 hours
- Best For
- Panorama Route visitors who hike; photographers on a clear morning.
- Go If
- You're on the Panorama Route and want a summit, not just a viewpoint.
Why it's worth your time
A high-forest, high-view hike above the Panorama Route. On a clear day you see across the lowveld to Kruger. Far less walked than the Cape mountains, and the forest road to the trailhead is part of the adventure.
What we love
The view from the fire-lookout across to the lowveld.
What to know
Access road can be rough; check locally. The summit is forested, so the view is from a fire-lookout platform.