5 Things to do in the Cederberg Mountains this weekend
We recently had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Cederberg Mountains. Here are five things you must do when visiting the area. All five can be done in a single weekend, and being only 250 kilometres from Cape Town, you have no excuse to start booking your accommodation as soon as possible.
1. Visit a Microbrewery
Kromrivier is the oldest tourist destination in the Cederberg. The Nieuwoudt family has been part of the Cederberg Mountains for seven generations. On their farm, Kromrivier, the family has started the first brewery in the Cederberg. According to the Nieuwoudts, the secret to their beer lies in the excellent quality of the water quality that flows from the mountains.
With names such as Jan Pampoen and Sarie Marais, these locally made beers are well worth a stop. Die Slee (The Sleigh), the restaurant on Kromrivierm, is equipped with a fine kitchen providing guests with top-notch farm-style cuisine and light meals. For more information, visit their website at https://www.nieuwbrew.co.za.
2. Go take a hike
Situated in the Breëkrans River Valley, Nuwerust Rest Camp offers visitors over 30 kilometres of hiking trails. The trails range from beginner to experienced with terrain unique to the Cederberg Mountains.
For those interested in a short hike, we recommend the Waterfall route, a short circular route that takes you to a beautiful waterfall. The total route will take about three hours. The Klipgat route is ideal for summer, with river swims, fishing and an overnight in a rock overhang, choose this hike if you are more adventurous. Pre-booking is required as this is a guided hike.
For more information, visit the Nuwerust Rest Camp website at https://www.cederbergexperience.co.za.
3. Stargaze
The Cederberg Astronomical Observatory is a privately owned, non-profit organization run by seven partners. Situated on the farm Dwarsrivier, high in the Cederberg Mountains, the observatory offers visitors unpolluted dark skies and magnificent mountain views.
On most Saturday evening the Observatory offers visitors a chance to see planets, comets and nebulae. Visiting the Observatory is free but donations in the donation box are requested to keep the Observatory functioning.
To see which weekends are scheduled for viewing sessions or get more information on the observatory, visit their website at https://www.cederbergobs.org.za.
4. Wine tasting
When people think wine tasting, Stellenbosch normally comes to mind as one of the first options, but the Cederberg region has a hidden gem high up in the mountains that may just surpass all expectations.
The Cederberg Private Cellar produces award-winning wines almost annually from their high-altitude vineyards. The farm is owned by David Nieuwoudt, a fifth-generation Nieuwoudt on this property, which has been in the family since 1835. Currently, 35 ha of vines are planted at Cederberg Private Cellar. 40% Of the vines are planted for white wine and the remaining 60% for red wine.
Wine tasting is open Monday to Saturday and sales can be done at the cellar or online. To visit their online store or read more information about Cederberg Private Cellar, visit their website at https://www.cederbergwine.com.
5. Look at Graffiti
Up the Uitkyk Pass, along the dirt road from the Cederberg’s Algeria campsite is a small sign to the Stadsaal caves. Within this area, you can visit the 1000-year-old Elephant Paintings rock art site and the Stadsaal Caves.
The Stadsaal Caves received its name after the National Party held a planning meeting here shortly before coming into power in 1948. The caves have graffiti from numerous local legends and political figures including Dr DF Malan who served as Prime Minister of South Africa from 1948 until 1954.
A permit is required to visit these attractions. Permits can be bought at the Cape Nature Office at the Algeria Campsite about 45 kilometres away.
