Camping at sanddrif holiday resort and wine tasting at cederberg wines. Seasoned hikers should only attempt the spectacular hike to the wolfberg arch via the wolfberg cracks. One of the notable landmarks in cederberg wilderness area is the 15 meterhigh wolfberg arch. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking. Wolfberg cracks south african trekking and catered, guided. The two lie fairly close to one another and either will supply you with maps and permits. Im always proud of ourselves when we choose to turn back in the mountains. Cederberg, western cape welcome to the official cederberg tourism site learn all about the towns situated in the cederberg municipal region as well as about the cederberg mountains and cederberg wilderness area, what you can do here. It takes you past crystal pools, welbedacht cave, the wolfberg arch and wolfberg cracks, the maltese cross and sneeuberg. To reach the wolfberg arch, via wolfberg cracks some hikers start from dwarsrivier farm, others from sandrif holiday resort. Wolfberg cracks and arch south africa accommodation.
My advice, if you want to visit this area, book cederberg accommodation or citrusdal accommodation far in advance. The wolfberg cracks tower over the settlement of dwarsrivier, while the spectacular wolfberg arch beyond looks down onto the parched scrubland of the tanqua karoo. This route explores some of the most iconic places in the cederberg and is one of the best 5day hikes i have done anywhere. The cracks are on private land adjacent to the wilderness area, and a permit must be obtained from the nieuwoudts at dwarsriver farm. Cheap flight tickets in 2020 south africa travel, africa. The arch is lit by both sunrise and sunset from opposite sides, a breathtaking sight. Were heading to sa in september, mostly to go to kruger but will have quite a bit of time in the.
The cederberg is renowned for its quality of rock climbing routes particularly around the krakadouw and tafelberg peaks. Well take a winding road from cape town through the hottentot holland mountain range, hike to rock pools, then set up camp and have a braai dinner cooked over an open fire. It can take anything from 4 to 7 days, depending on how many of the side trips one undertakes. South african climber and designer tony lourens is the publisher of the map guide series, here introducing the region wolfberg cederberg in the western cape of south africa. Getting there the ideal basecamp for climbing at wolfberg is the sanddrif campsite. Here is a route description, map, and gps waypoints for hiking the route. The walk up to the wolfberg cracks is fairly steep, but it is a good path that is well graded. This is one of the highlights of any trip to the central cederberg. Clanwilliam is quite possibly one of the best venues for smallmouth bass fishing in south.
These hikes are moderate and your personal level of fitness should guide you in deciding which route to follow. Falling at truitjieskraal, wolfberg cracks, cederberg. From there you can either hike another 5km to the wolfberg arch an iconic cederberg landmark or return down the mountain via a big, easy crack. Its quite a steep climb but the trail is wellmarked and easy enough to follow. Wolfberg lies within the awesome cederberg wilderness area, which is situated about 200km north of cape town. Original image from the guide book wolfberg cracks a climbers guide by tony lourens with permission. This epic formation can be reached by traversing a set of monumental clefts in the mountain known as the wolfberg cracks. Wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch cederberg south africa rating. Wolfberg cracks southern cederberg, a climbers guide. Well take a winding road from cape town through the hottentot holland mountain range, hike to rock pools, then set up camp and have a braai dinner cooked over an.
Hype if there is one adventurous hike to do in the cederberg wilderness area, this is it. The wolfberg cracks is one of the best known and spectacular parts of the magnificent cederberg. Weve headed towards these beautiful mountains on a long weekend in september to camp at sanddrif near dwarsrivier farm. The table mountain sandstone creates ideal conditions for spectacular routes. The farm lies in the heart of the cederberg wilderness area, which is well known for its spectacular rock formations, expansive vistas, rock.
The arch itself is certainly the largest such natural beauty of its kind that i know of in south africa, and stands in an area of great beauty and silence. Sanddrif holiday resort offers a choice of accommodation, from 16 cosy and fully equipped selfcatering holiday cottages with breathtaking views of the famous wolfberg cracks and the river to more than 40 wellrun camping facilities with a safe playground for children. My handsdown favourite is a road trip into the cederberg. After traversing the cracks, we emerged from the depths and the warm summer sun greeted us back. It never really feels as if you are climbing that much. Sanddrif cederberg conservancy, south africa, western cape. I had done the route several times and it is well cairned, so it is not difficult to follow. The main event of the weekend was, of course, the wolfberg cracks. Wolfberg cracks, sanddrift, cederberg, south africa youtube. Wolfberg cracks south african trekking and catered. Hiking to the wolfberg arch is fun and challenging. Day hikes cederberg conservancy, south africa, western cape. The rocks could crush us, but i remind myself they have been perfectly wedged between the sheer walls of the wolfberg cracks for ages. Wolfberg arch trail in cederberg, western cape sa venues.
Sanddrif holiday resort is situated on the farm dwarsrivier, home of cederberg private cellar, approximately 250 km north of cape town. The farm lies in the heart of the cederberg wilderness area, which is well known for its spectacular rock formations, expansive vistas, rock art and fynbos. The cederberg is a special place and should be on everyones bucket list to go and explore. Wolfberg cracks love exploring exploring south africa. Jul 12, 2018 this route explores some of the most iconic places in the cederberg and is one of the best 5day hikes i have done anywhere. There is just something incredibly beautiful about the cederberg and the wolfberg cracks are simply amazing to explore. Wolfberg cracks and arch, cederberg wilderness area. Apr 19, 2012 cederberg wolfberg cracks hiking pictures the easter weekend stumbled upon us and it was a tough decision of where to go or what to do. The wolfberg cracks are on its doorstep, roughly an hour uphill over a few boulders, and its close to sundowner paradise, the stadsaal caves.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and backpacking. Hiking wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch cederberg south africa. Southern cederberg, western cape by tony lourens all give fantastic climbing, in very different and aweinspiring situations. This cederberg hike takes 6 7 hours and starts at sanddrif. See the cederberg risen from the ashes getaway magazine. Purchase permits and a map from the office at dwarsrivier or algeria forest station cape nature hq for the cederberg wilderness. Whinge direct 25rx an alternative third pitch to whinge taking the blank face left of the arete.
Take this j ourney to breathtaking rock formations and pools in south africas cederberg mountains. If i didnt i would be morbidly obese with my career. Sanddrif holiday resort offers a choice of accommodation, from 16 cosy and fully equipped selfcatering holiday cottages with breathtaking views of the famous wolfberg cracks and the river to more than 40 wellrun camping facilities. Aug 21, 2014 building a large post frame garage full timelapse construction. Map guide wolfbergcederberg, western cape of south africa. We had hoped to go all the way to the wolfberg arch but made the safe decision to return due to bad weather actually it became impossible to see where we were going due to the cloud. Cederberg wines are located on the highest lying vineyards in south africa and their unique location adds. Environmental assessment is ongoing but its hoped they will open soon.
The main feature on this route is the big leftleaning grey groove to the left of the overhanging bands on the southwest face. Wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch cederberg south africa. Aug 02, 2019 50 km 30 mi into the cedarberg, youll find one of the most amazing and unknown natural treasures of south africa the wolfberg cracks. Building a large post frame garage full timelapse construction. The trail to wolfberg cracks is steep, but the path is good. Cederberg wolfberg cracks hiking pictures the easter weekend stumbled upon us and it was a tough decision of where to go or what to do.
Always carry enough water, warm clothes and snacks when embarking on any hike. Me taking my first fall on the climbing sport walls at truitjieskraal in the cederberg mountains. Working against this is the fairly long drive from cape town, but then again the mission to get there works in favour of a quiet and beautiful camping spot in. Cederberg things to do browse our directory of things to do in cederberg.
South of here stands the raadsaal, which looks as if it came from the pages of the brothers grimms fairy tales. The cederberg in general is known for is fantastical rock formations, and the cracks will not disappoint. But in the heat of the day it can feel difficult, so start early. Were looking at going to cederberg but have read about fires that occurred last summer, closing the hike as of september 2017. The hike across the top to wolfberg arch is still closed, as the vegetation in that area has still not recovered sufficiently.
See south africas natural wonders, from wolfberg cracks to maltese cross. Hiking wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch cederberg south. One not to miss is the fullday hike through the towering, ochre rock formations known as the wolfberg cracks, to the famous wolfberg arch. Needless to say, the cake barely made it intact to the. Devastating fires in late 2016 cut all access to two muchloved attractions there the wolfberg cracks and arch and they remain closed more than a year later. A comprehensive pocket climbing guide, by jayson orton, 2000. These natural fissures sit 500 feet above the sanddrift camp site on the same farm that is responsible for the award winning cedarberg wine. Walking to the wolfberg cracks trailhead, central cederberg. I know of in south africa, and stands in an area of great beauty and silence. Backpack and hike in the wolfberg cracks of the cederberg. This map is available from the dwarsriver booking office and from the algeria forestry office amongst others.
South african climber and designer tony lourens is the publisher of the map guide series, here introducing the region wolfbergcederberg in the western cape of south africa. Climbing at wolfberg, sanddrif cederberg, south africa. Wolfberg cracks western cape, south africa alltrails. Wolfberg cracks is the adventurous hike to do in the cederberg natural area. The cederberg is known for its impressive rock formations and the wolfberg cracks and arch are two of the mustsee sites. Backpack and hike in the wolfberg cracks of the cederberg south. Sanddrif holiday resort the unspoilt heart of the cederberg.
Its difficult to climb anywhere in the cederberg and come away disappointed. Dec 18, 2017 after traversing the cracks, we emerged from the depths and the warm summer sun greeted us back. Most of the hike is in full sun so its best to start at 06. I never tire of doing this walk and i was fortunate to lead the route again re. Wolfberg cracks, cederberg, south africa whitesky photographics. Wolfberg, northern cape, south africa secret cape town. For our own interest, we spent a bit of time exploring the easy route to the small crack. Park your vehicle under the oak trees and head up the path to wolfberg cracks. Video documentary of 4 friends hiking one of the most spectacular natural site of south africa.
And the numbers allowed up to and through the cracks will also be controlled for the foreseeable future. Climb up a few meters to some small crimps in a thin rail. Tafelberg and wolfberg cracks in the cederberg is now. Wolfberg arch can be reached by traversing a set of monumental clefts in the mountain known as the wolfberg cracks. The catch is that youll have to hike to reach them. Does anyone know if the hike to wolfberg arch via the cracks is open yet and if not, if there is a.
We planned this overnight backpacking trip in the cederberg wilderness area after seeing photos of wolfberg arch, a gargantuan stone archway. Cederberg, western cape welcome to the official cederberg tourism site learn all about the towns situated in the cederberg municipal region as well as about the cederberg mountains and cederberg wilderness area, what you can do here, where to have delicious meals and where you can stay. However, we can now enjoy climbing again at two of the best trad venues in. Sep 01, 2018 one of the notable landmarks in cederberg wilderness area is the 15 meterhigh wolfberg arch. Download its gps track and follow the itinerary on a map. Start about 4m to the left of the arete at a good rail. Wolfberg arch western cape, south africa alltrails. Wolfberg cracks and wolfberg arch name of reserve area. Wolfberg cracks western cape 2020 all you need to know. I cant seem to find anything more current and have written the park requesting an update but havent heard back.
Wolfberg cracks cederberg wilderness south africa in 2020. Dec 05, 2016 the main event of the weekend was, of course, the wolfberg cracks. It took us 3 hours from cape town, but we also were stuck in the peak hour traffic at 16h00 for an hour, so it took us 4 long hours. May 10, 2012 this is one of the highlights of any trip to the central cederberg. There are numerous day and overnight hikes including the popular and spectacular wolfberg arch, wolfberg cracks and the maltese cross. Julie had spent the better part of the saturday morning telling me that the hike wasnt that bad.
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