CederbergLocated just 3 hours drive north of Cape Town, the Cederberg is a 71,000 Ha semi-arid mountain wilderness which rises to over 2000m. The area is noted for its dramatic rock formations, and challenging and exciting day hikes - the red-rock Wolfberg Cracks (exciting scrambling and canyoning) and the isolated Wolfberg Arch, Sneeuberg summit (at 2027m, the area’s highest) and the iconic Maltese Cross formation, and several others. Wild sleep-outs are possible here if you can self-carry, but most visitors stay in well-appointed chalets. Our Cederberg hiking trips are fully supported – an experienced, personable mountain guide will pick you up in Cape Town, look after all catering and lead you on excellent walks. 3 or 4 nights recommended.
Cederberg Highlights
The Cederberg in detailCovering 71,000 Ha of rocky terrain, the Cederberg Wilderness Area is one of South Africa’s most impressive hiking areas. It is consists of several parallel ridges which contain some significant peaks, the highest of which is Sneeuberg (“Snow Mountain”) at 2027m. The area is best known for its fantastic rock formations, including the Wolfberg Arch, Wolfberg Cracks and the 20m high Maltese Cross which have been formed by acidic rain and snow eating into the quartzitic sandstone boulders and cliffs. A prominent shale band forms a level platform known as Die Trap (The Step) around most of the major peaks, giving relatively straightforward hiking access to much of the range. The bare, peaked ridges, with their brilliant white rock and sand, are separated by deep river valleys which are often blocked by almost impenetrable riverine bush. In places, vertical rock folds have been left jutting out of the earth.
Cederberg HikesMost hikers visiting the Cederberg seek to take in the main trekking symbols of the range, notably the Maltese Cross and the Wolfberg Cross and Arch. Shorter Cederberg hikes requiring between 2 and 3 hours, normally made on arrival day and departure day, are to the Stadstaal Caves and the Cedar trees above Algeria; the short river walk to Malgaat, close to the chalets at Sanddrif is also pretty. For the seriously fit, it’s possible to extend the Maltese Cross hike to gain the summit of Sneeuberg (2027m), although there is scrambling involved on the summit – the scrambling is not tricky, but route-finding is. An alternative is make this ascent over two days and either camp on Die Trap, ready for a morning assault on the final section, or sleep in the Sneeuberg bothy, a very basic shelter. Tafelberg (1969m) is the Cederberg’s second major summit, and is sometimes included as a trekking objective. However, the summit block is generally the preserve of rock climbers and serious scramblers and is not summited by hikers. There are nice circuits for the fit which can be accessed from Algeria, which lies further north, and which are preferable to Tafelberg if exposed scrambling is not your bag. The Cederberg is riddled with San Rock Art and one of the best ways of seeing a good selection is to walk the 8-kilometre Sevilla Trail at the extreme northern end of the range. Much can be covered in a 4-day/3-night itinerary from Cape Town, although 4 nights give you more scope.
Cederberg AccommodationFor those seeking to undertake the classic big walks, it’s best to stay in the heart of the reserve in one of the self-catering chalets at Sanddrif. This camp is situated below the imposing bluff of the Wolfberg Arch, and it’s a short drive from here to the trail head for Sneeuberg and the Maltese Cross. With very good planning, it’s perfectly feasible to self-cater and self-guide some of the walks, but you will get a lot more from the area if you have a guide to lead you and cater after demanding outings in the mountains. Other camps exist, but Sanddrif is the base we usually recommend for standard hiking itineraries focusing on Wolfberg and Sneeuberg. Other Cederberg Accommodation options exist outside the reserve.
What our clients say“Walks in Africa did everything we needed from a UK travel tour operator ever so well. They were very helpful and constructive when putting together our itinerary to the Cederberg and Cape Town, very prompt with all responses to our questions and ever so good at assessing the approach that suited us best. Their approach left little to chance and my wife and I were very impressed with the attention to detail evident in the planning and communication of our itinerary. The “Trip Dossier” they produced for us was the most helpful I have ever read. As a direct result of all this, we had an absolutely fantastic holiday. We find ourselves “selling” South Africa to everyone we meet and we will have no hesitation in referring our friends, family and business contacts to Walks in Africa”
Malcolm Paterson, London |
Image galleryBest timesThe best time for hiking in the Cederberg is in the autumn (March to May) and in the spring and early summer (September to mid-December). September is particularly good for flowers. In high summer (January and February), temperatures can exceed 40 deg.C and hiking is best avoided. Winters are cold and wet, and the highest peaks are frequently snow-capped between June and August.
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