Overview-Cederberg Drive and Hike

The Cederberg Wilderness is a World heritage area renowned for its spectacular landscapes, rock formations, botanical diversity, ancient rock art and very special hiking trails. Cederberg Drive and Hike is an opportunity to experience the Cederberg highlights.

 

TypeSelf-guided hikes
LocationCederberg Wilderness, South Africa
Group size1+ people
Duration7 days (6 nights)
GradingModerate
Day StagesAbout 10 km per day
DistanceAbout 60 km
TerrainMountain trails, tracks
AccommodationChalets/cottages
MealsNot included, but can be arranged
CostFrom R12 780 pp sharing
Best timeAutumn and Spring

 

Trip details

The program allows you to experience wilderness hiking combined with the necessary comforts. You will stay in cottages/chalets in the heart of the Cederberg and venture out each day on various hikes. The program provides for the unique features and hikes in the area such as The Wolfberg Cracks, The Stadsaal cave, the Maltese Cross, etc The standard program is 7 days .The Cederberg is the wilderness at its best.

Highlights

The Cederberg landscape

Distinctive Cederberg landscape. Magnificent views and sunsets

Flora and fauna

Cape fynbos, endangered Clanwilliam Cedar, Cape Mountain Leopard, Baboons, Klipspringers, etc and more tha 100 bird species

Rock formations

Red sandstone and unique rock formations

Rock art

Variety of Bushmen rock art produced by the San

Several hiking trails

The Maltese Cross -, the Wolfberg Cracks and Arch -, Disa Pool trail, etc

Day 1: Arrive
Arrive at chalet in the Cederberg, about 250 km from Cape Town
Dinner and Overnight

A drive and hike program will be provided..
Follow our Route directions for different trails in the wilderness area. A selection of hiking options will be recommended. During daily walks you will have the opportunity to explore the Cape fynbos, Cedar trees, rock formations, bird life and rock art. The 7 day program is focused on the highlights of the Cederberg Wilderness. It involves minimum driving. We ensure that each day is interesting and well balanced in terms of walking and leisure. The day sequence of the program may vary, depending on weather conditions. The itinerary below is an example.

Day 2: Kromrivier hikes
Disa Pool and Kromrivier Cave- about 3-4 hours and Truitjies Kraal- short drive and hike
Overnight at Kromrivier

Day 3: Maltese Cross
Maltese Cross, Lots Wife and Window rocks. About 5-6 hours
Overnight at Kromrivier

Day 4: Dwarsrivier
Wolfberg Cracks and Wolfberg Arch (About 8 hours), or a relaxing day. Visit Stadsaal caves, Maalgat and wine tasting at Cederberg Cellar.
Overnight at Kromrivier

Day 5: Algeria and Clanwilliam
Middelberg waterfall at Algeria and drive to Clanwilliam
Overnight near Clanwilliam

Day 6: Krakadouw and rock art
Hike a section of the Krakadouw trail and visit Sevilla Bushman Rock art trail
Overnight near Clanwilliam

Day 7: Depart
Depart after breakfast

The program includes a selection of the hikes/visits below:

 
Hike to Maltese Cross, Cederberg
Maltese Cross
Lot's wife and window rocks is a gentle walk in the Cederberg
Lot’s Wife
15 km walk from Kromrivier to the Disa Pool
The Disa Pool
IMG 0136.v01
Truitjieskraal
3-4 hours walk to the Wolfberg cracks-return
Wolfberg Cracks
Maalgat is a huge natural swimming pool on Dwarsrivier farm
Maalgat, Cederberg
Hike to Stadsaal caves and Bushman paintings, Cederberg
Stadsaal Caves
San paintings at Sevilla Cederberg
San paintings
Middelberg Waterfall, Algeria, Cederberg hike
Middelberg Waterfall
Fynbos at Clanwilliam Dam
Clanwilliam Dam
Krakadouw hiking trail in the Cederberg
Krakadouw hiking trail
Boskloof area wild flowers
Boskloof, Clanwilliam

Your accommodation bookings in the central Cederberg will be cottages/chalets. Lunch packs can be arranged and Dinner options are available. Most areas will not have cell phone and internet reception.

Accommodation Cederberg drive and hike
Kromrivier, Cederberg
Accommodation Clanwilliam
Klein Boschkloof
Rates

Rate available on request- depending on the itinerary and whether meals and the services of a guide are required

Included
6 nights accommodation
Route directions
Information about the area
 
Not included
Items not mentioned above, eg : All transport (To and from the Cederberg and between hikes/attractions)
Dinner, lunch packs, snacks and drinks (Meals can be included, if required)
 
Grading

Overall rating is “Easy/Moderate”. You do not need to be ultra-fit but certainly able to walk between 12 and 20 km per day. The route takes you along paths, along field and tracks . See Walking grades for more details about Easy and Moderate rating.

 Additional activities

Cederberg offers the following additional activities/opportunities:
Cycling
You can bring your MTB
Archaelogy/history
Interesting aspects to explore.
Winetasting at the Cederberg Private Cellar
cederberg wine terroir.v01
Wine tasting
Stargazing at Cederberg Observatory
Saturday evenings only, weather permitting
 
Destinations to add to your trip

We recommend that you add some other attractions to compliment your visit to Cederberg. You can include other visits before or after the Cederberg Drive and Hike. We can assist with bookings and advice. The costs of these options are available on request.

When to do the Cederberg Drive and Hike

The holiday can be booked any time of the year but the best time of the year to visit the area is the cooler months of Spring and Autumn .

Climate

Rainfall in the Cederberg ranges from an average of 800 mm per annum at Algeria to an average of less than 250mm/annum around Matjiesrivier, Cederberg Oasis, Nuwerust and Mount Cedar. The west of the Conservancy is mostly wet and cold during the winter while the eastern area is very cold with less rain. The most rain falls during winter between May and September. It often snows on the higher parts. Summers are very hot and dry and can reach temperatures as high as 40° Celcius.

Getting there
The Cederberg is in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It is about 200 km 2½ hours drive from Cape Town.
For international visitors:
Fly to Cape Town International Airport and from Cape Town to the Cederberg by car.
Route from Cape Town:
Take the N7 (Cape Namibia road) Continue for 188 km to the Algeria/Cederberg turnoff

When we confirm your booking more details will be given as well as suggestions about places to visit along the way from Cape Town

What to take

Comfortable, well aerated clothes in keeping with the season. Always bring a thick windbreaker/jacket, good walking boots (already worn-in) and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a day-bag, a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), rainwear, a sun-hat, sunglasses, sun block, a water bottle, plastic picnic boxes, personal first-aid kit, camera, torch/flashlight and an extra plastic bag for litter,hiking stick, insect repellant.

Insurance

We recommend that you arrange appropriate holiday insurance giving you cover against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.

Availability and Booking

To enquire or reserve a date, go to: Availability request

For general information: Contact us, or

email: info@trailsandtravel.co.za, or

Booking process and -conditions – Go to  How to book

Map

Gallery

Pictures of Cederberg can be viewed in Cederberg Drive and Hike Gallery

Reviews

Comments by guests who have experienced a self-guided walking/hiking holiday offered by WalkingHolidays.co.za in South Africa-

“Overall, the holiday was invigorating-  You certainly went out of your way to make the whole time memorable- We are recommending it to our walking community in the States- Fantastic walks, wines and accommodation”

For details, go to Reviews

More about Cederberg

Cederberg Drive and Hike is a unique hiking experience. For more information about Cederberg area, go to Read more

 

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