Cederberg route?

[Aleric Meyer]

We will be visiting Jamaka in April. I want to take a day trip from Jamaka-Eselbank-Wupperthal-Clanwilliam-Jamaka. Looks like a circle route. Does anyone know if its a proper 4x4 drive or not ? Would it be better clockwise or anti- clockwise ? Are there any points of interest along the way ?

[David]

No I wouldn't call it a 4x4 route. It can be done with any vehicle with a bit of ground clearance.
I have now done it twice and it is a nice scenic route. Try to go to Wuperthal on a workday so that the shoe factory is open. On public holidays and Sundays there is nothing going on.
I have always done it clockwise.

Things to do in the area:

•Spend the day in the central Cederberg (Cederberg Wilderness) visiting Algeria Forest Station, Stadsaal caves & rock art, Cederberg Cellars winery, possibly swimming at Maalgat rockpools. Mostly gravel road.
•Scenic drive over Pakhuis to the Sevilla rock art trail to look at the Rock Art. Continue via the Englishman’s grave to Wupperthal mission village. On the way back visit Louis Leipoldt’s grave and the Soldier’s Head. Partly tar & partly gravel
•Take a rooibos farm safari (or a flower safari in season) at Elandsberg Eco-Reserve. Continue to Lamberts Bay for lunch at Meisbosskerm seafood restaurant on the beach. Afternoon stroll to visit Bird Island and return to Clanwilliam. Mostly tar road.
•Flower season: Scenic drive over Pakhuis to the Sevilla rock art trail then continue to Bieudouw Valley for the flower displays. Visit the Englishman’s grave and Soldier’s Head on your return. Partly tar & partly gravel
•Drive to Pakhuis pass and then enjoy the Jeep track walking trail to Heuningvlei (12 km, 2½ hours). Enjoy lunch & a short tour of the mission village of Heuningvlei. Then take the donkey cart ride back to the pass in the afternoon. Mostly tar road
•Range of scenic walks including the Maltese Cross, Wolfberg Cracks, Pakhuis circular walk. See our Suggested Walks for more details… Note that these walks are not full day walks but assume that you need to drive to get to the start of the walk.
•Morning scenic drive over Pakhuis to the Sevilla rock art trail & Englishman’s Grave
•Quad biking excursion on Nardouwsberg pass. Booking essential.
•Visit Elandsberg eco-reserve for a guided rooibos tea tour or a guided flower tour in season. Booking essential.
•Quad biking excursion at Citrusdal eco-quads. Booking essential.
•Morning scenic drive over the Pakhuis Pass to Pakhuys Winery for wine-tasting. Visit Lous Leipoldt’s grave on the way back.
•Flower Season: Take a circular scenic route along the river to the Bulshoek dam, turn off an drive over Nardouwsberg back to Clanwilliam via the Pakhuis Pass.
•Circular walk from Kliphuis campsite in northern Cederberg. This is a 3½ -4 hour walk plus 20 mins of driving from Clanwilliam each way so you need to start early. See suggested walks for further details.
•Donkey cart excursion from top of Pakhuis pass. Drive up the scenic pass (30 mins each way) and then enjoy a 2½ hour donkey cart ride incl refreshments

A lot of this you can do on the way past but some takes a full day