Wolfberg Cracks Wolfberg Arch Cederberg hiking

Wow, what a pleasure to get a report from one of our blog readers on their recent visit to the Cederberg too.  Thank you to Ingrid and Gareth for sharing with us their version of this awesome experience, and the great photographs to go with it too. 

Im most certainly going to push for an overnight at the Arch on our next visit in the flower season.  You have inspired us with your images too.  Hopefully next time we go, there will be less clouds for us to do some night photopraphy of the stars too.

Herewith their version of this hiking trail...

Hi there once again.
Well, I don't know where to begin!
We arrived at Cederberg Oasis on Friday afternoon after a stop at Sanddrif to collect our permits for the Wolfberg and Stadsaal.

Stadsaal is amazing and a great into into weathered rock formations but the best was yet to come!

The hike to the Cracks and Arch went well though our backpacks presented a bit of a problem getting through narrow spaces but we made it. What an adventure! At the top of the cracks we debated whether to camp there in the soft sand and hike to the arch in the morning but eventually headed off to the arch arriving at around 3 pm when all the day hikers had long gone.

Our evening at the Arch was amazing - there had been quite a lot of rain and the night was cool. Both the sunset and sunrise was unlike anything ever experienced, the plateau below the arch was grey in the early light and both Gareth and I agreed it had a sort of Martian vibe - almost sci fi and alien.

I think of all the places on earth that have had an impact on me, this must be one of the top 3.  

At sunrise Gareth scampered below to take pics and I wrapped myself in my sleeping bag and watched the dawn. The memories will never fade. I almost backed out of number 3 crack and I would have missed out on so much! Thanks for all your help and advice !!
Thank you so so much
Ingrid Hardman


Well done to Ingrid and Gareth for surviving a night out in the cold on the alient planet called Earth :)
~Ed.

Hiking Platteklip Gorge - there is no easy way

Pictures and story copyright www.alexaitkenhead.co.za

 Hiking to the top of Platteklip gorge has no mercy for the unfit... this route is just straight up.

— with Juanita Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 once you get to the top, the view is always rewarding

 we ventured off the beaten track to enjoy a quiet moment with the view and a coffee... unbeknown to us the 'locals' decided to pay us a visit...

— at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 during our escape from the barbarian hordes at the top - who took the easy up the cable car, we thought we were alone...

— at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 once the day-visitors noticed how the 'locals' came to say hello to us, we were swamped the happy snapping tourist like you have never seen before. We went from being in complete isolation (so we thought!!!) to the highlight of the moment ontop of the mountain, as the happy snappers came to enjoy watching 'the locals' swamped us, begging for scraps.

— at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 here you can notice a rather 'swamped' Al' and a happy me. trying to enjoy the view :)

— with Alex Aitkenhead and Juanita Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

After a very fast run down the cable way, we walked back about 2km to our car. The sky opened and the mountain presented to us and everyone her full glory.

— with Alex Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 ... perfect ending to a really fun walk up the mountain

— with Juanita Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

 Table Bay and the foot of Devis Peak in the far distance

— with Juanita Aitkenhead at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

Proteas are starting to bloom and the colours are just awesome!

— at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.