Cederberg 100 Trail in Cederberg, Western Cape (original) (raw)

Start: summit of Pakhuis Pass
Finish: Driehoek Resort in central Cederberg
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights, 100 km (roughly)
Fitness: moderate to difficult
Our tip: if you are a seasoned hiker, you won't find the daily distances taxing; the combined experience of the wilderness, the flowers and the quaint villages is a delight

One of the newest in the Cederberg Heritage Route's collection of slackpack trails, you might have to walk almost 100 km in the space of a week, but you won't have to carry too much, prepare any meals, put up any tents or do any dishes. And if it gets too difficult, you can always opt to join the donkey cart that transports the bags on any given day (although you may need extra padding to do so).

The hike is led by a local guide from the Moravian villages in which one overnights - Boskloof, Heuningvlei, Brugkraal, Kleinvlei, Eselbank, Langkloof � six guides in all, and you stay in local's homes. Other than planting rooibos tea and vegetables, there is not much industry in the villages; tourism is an added bonus.

Day One
Your first day involves getting yourself to Clanwilliam, where you overnight.

Day two:
16 km, roughly 8 hours, Pakhuis Pass via Amon se Poort into the Boskloof Valley.

Day three:
12 km, roughly 7 hours, up the Krakadouw Pass to Krakadouw Neck and then down into heuningvlei.

Day four:
16 km, roughly 8 hours from Heuningvlei via the Boontjieskloof Hut in the heart of the Wilderness, down into Grasvlei and brugkraal.

Day five:
9 km, roughly 6 hours from brugkraal via Grasvlei and the waterfalls (depending on rainfall this route may alter), over Middelkopnek to the village of Kleinvlei.

Day six:
13 km, roughly 7 hours, down from Kleinvlei to the village of Eselbank with detours to rock formations and the Eselbank Falls.

Day seven:
11 km, roughly 7 hours, though veld with little path, from Eselbank over the mountain to the village of Langkloof. Whilst the path is well signposted, it is not really a trail and today can be a little heavy going.

Day eight:
16 km, roughly 8 hours from Langkloof over Gabriel's Pass with a detour to the Wolfberg Arch, and down to Driehoek farm. From there you transfer to Clanwilliam and overnight in a guesthouse.