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15 things to do in the Cederberg

8/9/2016

6 Comments

 
Picture
By Roxanne Reid
Just 200km from Cape Town, the Cederberg Wilderness Area is a destination to please everyone. Whether you love hiking and mountain biking or you’re a culture vulture, even if you simply like to chill with a glass of wine and watch the play of light on the mountains as the clouds whizz by, there’s something here to make your day. Here are 15 things to do there.

1. Hiking
Maltese Cross, Cederberg
Photo: CapeNature
Choose from 1-8 hour day trails, or overnight hikes, depending on your mood or level of fitness. Walk to the waterfall from Algeria’s campsite, to the strange rock formation called the Maltese Cross (get a permit from Dwarsrivier office, about 28km from Algeria) or go the full hog to the Wolfberg Arch. Remember to take water, hat, sunglasses and sunblock in summer, and something warm in winter. Tell someone which route you’re taking in case of emergencies. For more info on the options go to Activities then Hiking on this link.

2. Mountain biking
Mountain biking, Cederberg
Photo: CapeNature
Bring your own mountain bike and ride along the public gravel roads or on one of a number of designated MTB routes. Each will cost you a day visitor’s fee for a permit (adults R60, kids R35) unless you have a Wild Card that gives you free entry. There’s a route for everyone, from families to fitness freaks. Get more info. 
​
3. Stargazing
Go stargazing at the Cederberg Observatory 2km from Dwarsrivier for slide shows and a chance to look through telescopes. A two-hour show starts at 20:00 every Saturday evening, weather permitting, except weekends closest to full moon. Or just lie back and enjoy the night sky in an area where there’s little light or air pollution.
4. Lot’s Wife
Lot's Wife, Cederberg
Take a drive up Uitkyk Pass and to Dwarsrivier to enjoy the mountain scenery. Watch out for the sign to Lot’s Wife, a rock that looks a bit like a person turned to salt, just before Dwarsrivier (about 28km from Algeria).

5. Game viewing
See if you can spot the mammals of the Cederberg like grey rhebok, klipspringer, baboon and dassie, or even a leopard.

6. Birding
Look out for raptors like Verreaux’s eagle, jackal buzzard and rock kestrel, or many smaller species like Diederik and Klaas’s cuckoo.

7. Fynbos
Fynbos, Cederberg
Enjoy the fynbos of the area, from red disas and snow proteas in summer to vygies, daisies and other annual flowering plants in spring. The Cederberg forms part of the Cape floral region, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8. Stadsaal Caves
Rock formations, Cederberg
Drive 40km from Algeria to the impressive Stadsaal Caves at Matjiesriver. Get a permit and code for the locked gate from the Algeria office first. The main cavern is impressive, but you can explore along a trail to discover many smaller openings and unusual formations.

9. Rock art
Rock painting, Cederberg
On your way to the Stadsaal Caves in the Matijiesriver Nature Reserve, take some time to see well-preserved KhoiSan rock paintings depicting elephants. (You’ll need to stop at the Algeria office first to get a permit and the code for the locked gate.) The painting is over 1000 years old and the paint mostly made from ochre rock.

10. Wine tasting
Cederberg Wineries, Cederberg
Visit Cederberg Wineries at Dwarsrivier for a tasting. Be warned that you probably won’t get out of there without a few bottles clutched in your hands.

11. Craft brewery
Ceder Brew craft brewery
At the Ceder Brew craft brewery at Kromrivier you can try Catfish Ale, Chubbyhead Stout or Yellowfish Lager – even a pumpkin ale called Jan Pampoen. Sisters Tania and Melanie, seventh-generation Nieuwoudts at Kromrivier, offer tastings for larger groups. Anyone else can order a bottle with a light meal or to take home. Open 8:00–18:00 every day except on Sundays when they close 12:00–16:00. 

12. Clanwilliam
The Old Gaol, Clanwilliam
The Old Gaol, Clanwilliam
Take a day drive to the small town of Clanwilliam. Visit the Old Gaol (historical monument and museum), restaurants or coffee shops. Clanwilliam is the centre of the rooibos tea industry so have a cuppa. It’s also a good place to shop for anything you might have forgotten to bring with you.

13. Camping
Algeria campsite, Cederberg
Camp at the Algeria campsite – 48 sites with communal ablutions. Choose your site carefully according to whether you like to be in the thick of things with other people or enjoying a more peaceful time on a larger site with some privacy. There’s also camping at Kliphuis.

14. Cottages at Algeria
Algeria cottages, Cederberg
Stay at CapeNature’s lovely cottages in Algeria. They have two bedrooms, a huge kitchen and living area and a deck with a built-in braai. Enjoy the view of mountains and the sound of the Rondegat River. 

15. Wuppertal
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If you stay at Kliphuis (cottages and campsite) on the Pakhuis Pass it’s only about a 90-min drive on a gravel road to visit the photogenic mission village of Wuppertal, originally founded in 1830.
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Just 200km from Cape Town, the Cederberg Wilderness Area is a destination to please everyone, with lots to do from hiking and MTB or even great places to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the mountains.
You may also enjoy
Stadsaal Caves and San rock paintings in the Cederberg

Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
6 Comments
Carol Wainwright.
13/9/2016 04:24:48 pm

Cederberg is one of my favourite places. It's close enough to C.T to enjoy a weekend away and enjoy nature. We must visit the cottages.Saw them in your earlier blog. Thanks

Reply
Roxanne
13/9/2016 05:22:30 pm

I couldn't believe how long it was since we'd last been there, Carol. But I fell in love with it again, all those mountains and lovely flowering shrubs, so it definitely won't be such a long time till our next visit.

Reply
Ryan
23/9/2016 10:19:42 pm

It's the ideal weekend getaway if you want to destress. So much to do and hikes are awesome.

Reply
Roxanne
24/9/2016 08:11:47 am

No kidding, Ryan, it's funny what a bit of open air and nature can do for your stress levels. Doesn't matter whether you're active with hikes or simply chill, the effect is the same.

Reply
Jurga - Full Suitcase link
24/9/2016 08:37:40 pm

I saw 'Cederberg' and couldn't resist reading this post - there are always at least a couple of bottles of Cederberg wine in our basement (their official dealer for Belgium is not far from us). Love the wine and love South Africa, but we haven't been to this region yet. It's definitely something for the next trip... ;)

Reply
Roxanne
27/9/2016 10:03:03 am

Thanks for reading, Jurga. Well, you've made the first step by drinking the wine, now you need to visit this gorgeous mountain region for yourselves. If you enjoy the outdoors and hiking, it's a must.

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    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
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    We're happiest in the middle of nowhere, meeting the locals, trying something new, or simply watching the grass grow.
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