The Giant Shadows route is an out-and-back route from Kamberg Mountain Shadows to Giant's Castle peak/summit. The route starts from the "STOP" sign in front of the bar at Kamberg Mountain Shadows. You can choose any way you'd like to get to Highmoor - the easiest option is probably to follow the main road but you could also climb the cliff face to Mount Cleopatra (to the left of the road) and run across the plateau to Highmoor. Once you reach Highmoor, complete the mountain register, head past the dams and across the rolling foothills for Giant's Castle summit. Your best pass options to reach the peak are either Giant's Castle Pass or Elandshoek Pass (smugglers pass).
Elandshoek Pass route is a great option. From Highmoor, bear west toward the contour path and turn left, up and over a saddle called The Gable. This leads you onto the back of the South Ridge (leading up to Giant's Castle). Contour along the southern side of the ridge along a well-defined path for approximately 6.5km to the base of Elandshoek Pass. The pass can be tricky in wet conditions due to some sheer rock faces but is very easy to run/hike in good weather. Once you've reached the top of the pass (+-3114m ASL), head approximately 0.35km north to the summit of Giant's Castle (+-3314m ASL), where a kern denotes your arrival at the peak. Note, this peak requires you to cross a short knife-edge ridge that can be unsafe during bad weather conditions or heavy winds - please be careful!
Alternatively, for Giant's Castle Pass route, bear west from Highmoor and head for the contour path. Contour around the northern face of the Giant's Castle, past Giant's Hut, to the base of the pass. The pass is well worn and shouldn't take you too long to complete (+- 3080m ASL). From the top of the pass, bear east for about 2km until you reach Giant's Castle summit (+-3314m ASL).
Take your fastest route back to Highmoor, where you'll sign out of the mountain register. The finish awaits for you at Kamberg Mountain Shadows! If you set a new FKT record, a hearty meal and a beer will be yours (on the house) from the local Fat Harry's.
In summary, the checkpoints for the FKT are:
1./ Kamberg Mountain Shadows (from the "STOP" sign at the bar)
2./ Highmoor (sign-in the mountain register)
3./ Summit Giant's Castle
4./ Highmoor (sign-out the mountain register)
5./ Kamberg Mountain Shadows (back to the "STOP" sign)
