Cederberg Odyssey Trail

About Cederberg Odyssey Trail

Start: Cape Town
Finish: Cederberg Mountains/Cape Town
Duration: 7 days (3 days hiking and 3 days biking)
Fitness: fit both to hike and bike on off-road terrain, covering about 35 to 70 km a day (no children under 18)
Our tip: the fifth day is probably the toughest, from Vangstasie deep in the Cederberg, to the mountain community of Heuningvlei

The Cederberg Odyssey Trail is also known as the Rim of Africa Odyssey. It is a reduced version of the mega 650 km (48-day) Rim of Africa trail that, once complete, is well on its way to rival trails like the American Appalachian Trail. The emphasis of the trail is mountains, the Cape leopard and San Bushman heritage.

The Cederberg Odyssey Trail, or Rim of Africa Odyssey, takes one through the Cederberg Cape Fold mountain range. The route is designed to include jaw-dropping scenery, leopard tracking with experts, Moravian and San communities, San rock art, Bushman's Kloof and MTB trail riding.

The Cederberg Mountains are named after the endemic Clanwilliam Cedar (much of the forests that clad the slopes of the Cederberg were overexploited).

Its incredible craggy, rock formations and lush valleys are protected by the Cederberg Wilderness, Cederberg Conservancy (a voluntary agreement between 22 landowners to manage their environment sustainably), the Great Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor, and the new Red Cederberg Karoo Park, a private conservation area.

It is also home to isolated communities and villages, like Wupperthal.

The trail is a slackpack trail. Which means:
• you spend your nights under the stars in luxury tented camps
• your luggage (other than a light day pack) is carried for you from camp to camp
• your meals, refreshments and alcohol is provided for you
• local guides are provided
• your bikes are supplied
• there is back-up when you need it
• the last night is spent at the 5 star lodge – Bushman's Kloof

Potential itinerary

Day one:
Cycle to Bakkrans, via the Rooi Cederberg Karoo Park, camp under the stars.

Day two:
Track Cape leopards with guides from the Cape Leopard Trust, cycle to the Stadsaal caves to view rock articles.

Day three:
Cycle to Driehoek through the valleys of the Cederberg, hike at Driehoek and spend the night at Crystal Palace.

Day four:
Hike to Crystal Pools and then on to Vangstasie.

Day five:
Hike to Heuningvlei.

Day six:
Short cycle to Bushman's Kloof, visit the myriad rock art sites in the reserve, afternoon game drive.