Hiking Trail Rating System    Selecting a Hiking Trail    Hiking Trail Prices    Trail Descriptions
Klein Krakadouw Trail    Wupperthal Trail    Pakhuis Trail    Groot Krakadouw Trail    Suggested Packing list		  

CEDERBERG HERITAGE ROUTE

Come and enjoy enjoy some of the best slackpacking hiking trails in South Africa.

Hiking Trail Rating System

Most of the hiking and walking on the Cederberg Heritage Route trails is not very severe, though the paths are usually stony and uneven. However, some optional hikes are more challenging. We use the following Rating System to describe each day's hike/walk on our trails.

Hike/Walk severity

1 - Fairly easy walk on undulating terrain, up to 8km
2 - Relatively easy hiking on undulating terrain, between 8-12km
3 - Steeper hiking over a pass AND/OR a longer distance, up to about 18km
4 - Steep mountain hike with several hours of uphill walking

Hike/Walk exposure to heights and/or scrambling

A - no exposure to heights and no scrambling
B - some hiking up rocky steps
C - some steep rock scrambling and exposure to heights involved. People with a severe problem with heights may want to avoid this walk

Estimated times

The times estimated below include ‘tea’ and lunch stops and some time for photography, swimming and other activities i.e. a leisurely pace. If you are a keen hiker, you may complete the walk in a faster time. Hikers are provided with a packed picnic lunch at the start of each day. Hikers need only carry a daypack, containing items needed during the day, as their overnight luggage is transported from one overnight stop to the next.

Selecting a Hiking Trail

All of the trails include the following features:
  • spectacular mountain scenery and interesting fynbos vegetation,
  • a walk to interesting rock art sites with a knowledgeable guide,
  • a ride in a traditional Cederberg donkey cart on the 12km Donkey Cart Trail and
  • the opportunity to experience life in Moravian Church mission villages.

The following summary of the four trails is intended to assist you in selecting the trail that is likely to suit you best with respect to the degree of exertion required. The trails are listed more or less in order of their degree of severity:

The Klein Krakadouw Trail (3 nights) includes:

  • a 2-3hr guided rock art walk (rating 1A),
  • the 12km Donkey CartTrail which, if you choose to walk it all, takes about 3hr and involves 250m of uphill and 300m of downhill walking (rating 2A) and
  • a 7-8hr hike of 12km involving 300m uphill and then 900m downhill (rating 3B).

The Wupperthal Trail (3 nights) includes:

  • the 12km Donkey CartTrail which, if you choose to walk it all, takes about 3hr and involves 250m of uphill and 300m of downhill walking (rating 2A),
  • a 7-8hr hike of about 16km involving 300m uphill and then 250m downhill (rating 3B),
  • a 6-7hr hike of about 12km involving 400m gradual downhill to the historic mission village of Wupperthal (rating 2B) and
  • a 2-3hr guided rock art walk (rating 1A).

The Pakhuis Trail (3 nights) includes:

  • a 7-8hr hike of about 16km, undulating but basically 700m downhill (rating 3B),
  • a 7-8hr hike of 12km involving 900m uphill and then 300m downhill (rating 3B),
  • the 12km Donkey CartTrail which, if you choose to walk it all, takes about 3hr and involves 300m of uphill and 250m of downhill walking (rating 2A), followed by a 2-3hr guided rock art walk (rating 1A).

The Groot Krakadouw Trail (4 nights) includes:

  • a 2-3hr guided rock art walk (rating 1A),
  • the 12km Donkey CartTrail which, if you choose to walk it all, takes about 3hr and involves 250m of uphill and 300m of downhill walking (rating 2A), followed by a 2hr walk of 8km, fairly level but with small ups and downs (rating 1A),
  • a 7-8hr hike of about 16km involving 250m uphill and then 300m downhill (rating 3B) and
  • a 7-8hr hike of 12km involving 300m uphill and 900m downhill (rating 3B).
NOTE: All four hikes have an optional extra day/night for a strenuous mountain climb up the spectacular Krakadouw Peak (rating 4C) or an easy circular, scenic walk through the hills to a lovely pool for swimming (rating 2B). Both start and end in the village of Heuningvlei.

Hiking Trail Prices

The prices of the trails per person vary, depending on the particular trail chosen, the number of nights involved and the number of persons in the group. Normally the maximum group size is six persons, due to accommodation and transport limitations. Smaller groups are accepted, but the cost per person then increases. Price ranges per person per trail for groups of six are as follows:
  • Three night trails from R2200 to R2500 per person per trail.
  • Four night trails from R2700 to R3000 per person per trail.
  • Five night trail about R3500 per person per trail.

  
 
 
 
   

Full Hiking Trail Descriptions

Klein Krakadouw Trail - Three Nights

Day 1. Arrive in Clanwilliam in the late afternoon and stay overnight at a charming guesthouse on a DBB basis. Here you will be met by a Cederberg Heritage Route Representative.
Day 2. You will be transported over the Pakhuis Pass for a 2-3hr guided rock art walk on the Sevilla Trail (rating 1A). After enjoying a picnic lunch you will be taken back to the top of the Pakhuis Pass. From there, at about 2pm, you will take the Donkey Cart Trail to Heuningvlei (about 12km, 2hr by donkey cart or 2½-3 hours walk, rating 2A) where you will overnight in a guest cottage on a DBB basis.
Day 3. You enjoy an escorted hike of about 12km and 7-8hr up to Krakadouw Nek and then down the Krakadouw Pass trail, through the heart of the Wilderness Area, back to a guest cottage in the Jan Dissels River valley (about 300m up and then 900m down, Rating 3B). Overnight in the guest cottage on a DBB basis.
Day 4. Morning transport back to the CLLP premises in Clanwilliam. Depart for home.

Optional Extra Day/Night at Heuningvlei (available on all four Trails).

Escorted day hike from Heuningvlei. Either climb the spectacular Krakadouw Peak (a strenuous 8hr hike of about 12km in total, climbing 900m and then descending again, (Rating 4C) or do a circular, relatively easy, scenic day hike of 10-12km in the hills to the east of Heuningvlei to a lovely pool for swimming (Rating 2B).

 

KRAKADOUW FROM JAN DISSELS VALLEY
 
 
 
   

Wupperthal Trail - Three Nights

Day 1. Arrive in Clanwilliam by 12 noon in time for a light lunch, where you will be met by a Cederberg Heritage Route Representative. After lunch you will be transported to the top of the Pakhuis Pass. From there, at about 2pm, you will take the Donkey Cart Trail to Heuningvlei (about 12km and 2hr by donkey cart or 2½-3 hours walk, rating 2A) where you will overnight in a guest cottage on a DB&B basis.
Day 2. Escorted day hike of about 16km and 7-8hr up to the Boontjieskloof Hut, in the heart of the Wilderness Area, and then down to Brugkraal (climb about 300m and then descend about 250m, Rating 3B). Overnight in the Brugkraal guest cottage, DB&B basis.
Day 3. Escorted hike of about 12km and 7hr down the valley of the Grasvlei River, via Grasvlei and Agtervlei, and then through Sassakloof to Wupperthal along the Tra Tra River (Rating 2B). Overnight in a guest cottage in Wupperthal, DB&B basis.
Day 4. You will be collected from Wupperthal at about 9.30am and transferred back to Clanwilliam, arriving by about 3.30pm, after stopping off for a 2-3hr guided tour of the Sevilla Rock Art Trail (rating 1A) and a picnic lunch. Depart for home.

Optional Extra Day/Night at Heuningvlei (available on all four Trails).

Escorted day hike from Heuningvlei. Either climb the spectacular Krakadouw Peak (a strenuous 8hr hike of about 12km in total, climbing 900m and then descending again, (Rating 4C) or do a circular, relatively easy, scenic day hike of 10-12km in the hills to the east of Heuningvlei to a lovely pool for swimming (Rating 2B).

 

HEUNINGVLEI
 
 
 
   

Pakhuis Trail - Three Nights

Day 1. Arrive in Clanwilliam by 5.30pm, where you will be met by a Cederberg Heritage Route Representative, for an overnight stay in a guesthouse on a DBB basis.
Day 2. You are transferred to the top of the Pakhuis Pass. From there, you enjoy an escorted hike via Amon se Poort down to the Boskloof Valley, (16km, 7-8 hours, rating 3B). You stay overnight in the guest cottages on a DBB basis.
Day 3. This morning you take an escorted hike (12km, 7-8hr) up the spectacular Krakadouw Pass via the Anglo-Boer war block house to Krakadouw Neck and then down into the mission village of Heuningvlei. (Uphill of 900m, then 300m down, rating 3B). You stay overnight in a guest cottage on a DBB basis.
Day 4. This morning you take the Donkey Cart Trail from Heuningvlei to Pakhuis Pass (about 12km, 2hr by donkey cart or 2½-3 hours walk, rating 2A). You are met at the top of Pakhuis Pass at 11am and taken to the Sevilla Trail for a 2-3hr guided rock art walk (rating 1A) and picnic lunch before being transported back to Clanwilliam by 3.30pm. Depart for home.

Optional Extra Day/Night at Heuningvlei (available on all four Trails).

Escorted day hike from Heuningvlei. Either climb the spectacular Krakadouw Peak (a strenuous 8hr hike of about 12km in total, climbing 900m and then descending again, (Rating 4C) or do a circular, relatively easy, scenic day hike of 10-12km in the hills to the east of Heuningvlei to a lovely pool for swimming (Rating 2B).

 

KRAKADOUW FROM JAN DISSELS VALLEY
 
 
 
   

Groot Krakadouw Trail - Four Nights

Day 1. Arrive in Clanwilliam by 12.30pm where you will be met by a Cederberg Heritage Route Representative . Lunch at Yellow Aloe Coffee Shop will be followed by a guided tour of Clanwilliam Museum and a guided rock art walk of about 2-3hr (Rating 1A) at Warmhoek in the beautiful Jan Dissels River valley and an overnight stay in a guesthouse on a DBB basis.
Day 2. You are transferred to the top of the Pakhuis Pass with a short guided rock art visit at C Louis Leipoldt’s grave on the way. From there, at about 10am, you will take the Donkey Cart Trail to Heuningvlei (about 12km, 2hr by donkey or 2½-3 hours walk, rating 2A) for lunch. After lunch you take an easy 8km escorted walk, on a donkey cart track via Witwater, to Brugkraal (rating 1A). There you stay overnight in the guest cottage on a DBB basis.
Day 3. Escorted day hike of about 16km and 7-8hr from Brugkraal via Grasvlei up to the Boontjieskloof Hut, in the heart of the Wilderness Area, and then down to Heuningvlei (climb about 250m and descend 300m, Rating 3B). Overnight in the guest cottage at Heuningvlei on a DBB basis.
Day 4. You enjoy an escorted hike of about 12km and 7-8hr up to Krakadouw Neck and then down the Krakadouw Pass trail, through the heart of the Wilderness Area, back to a guest cottage in the Jan Dissels River valley (about 300m up and then 900m down, Rating 3B). Overnight in the guest cottage on a DBB basis.
Day 5. This morning you are transferred back to Clanwilliam to collect your cars and depart for home.

Optional Extra Day/Night at Heuningvlei (available on all four Trails).

Escorted day hike from Heuningvlei. Either climb the spectacular Krakadouw Peak (a strenuous 8hr hike of about 12km in total, climbing 900m and then descending again, (Rating 4C) or do a circular, relatively easy, scenic day hike of 10-12km in the hills to the east of Heuningvlei to a lovely pool for swimming (Rating 2B).

 

BRUGKRAAL
 
 
 
   

Suggested Packing list

  • Each group of hikers should carry at least one simple First Aid kit for dealing with minor emergencies.
  • Good hiking boots and socks/stockings
  • Hat for protection against the sun
  • 2 long-sleeved shirts
  • 2 hiking trousers/slacks (NB protection of head/arms/legs from sun is recommended!)
  • Day pack
  • Bathing costume and small towel in summer. (There are nice pools in some of the streams)
  • Raingear/anorak (Rain jacket and waterproof trousers recommended in winter)
  • Jersey and/or jacket
  • Water bottle & thermos (for tea or coffee)
  • Camera/binoculars
  • Favourite snacks. A packed lunch will be provided each day but you may want something to nibble along the way. (For example dried fruit, nuts, biltong and snack bars. Chocolate is not recommended in the hot summer weather)
  • Change of clothes for the evening, including light running shoes (useful if boots cause blisters)
  • Pyjamas/underwear/toilet necessities (lots of sunscreen!)
  • Bath towel (Towels are generally not provided in the guest cottages)
  • Small torch
NB: As space - particularly on the donkey carts - is limited, bags must be fairly compact eg: 650 x 300 x 300mm or 750 x250 x300mm, and must not weigh more than 12kg. Use soft bags please. No suitcases allowed. As wine/spirits are neither available nor provided, a (modest) quantity could probably be fitted in such bags. Avoid glass bottles. Take wine in cardboard cartons and/or spirits in plastic bottles. 		 

WUPPERTHAL GUEST COTTAGE