Groot Krakadouw Trail

About Groot Krakadouw Trail

Start: Kradadouw Pass
Finish: Pakhuis Pass
Duration: 36 km, 3 to 4 nights
Fitness: moderate to difficult
Our tip: the last night has an optional overnight stay in Clanwilliam.

Set in the spectacular mountain landscape of the Cederberg Wilderness Area, the Groot Krakadouw Trail is one of several trails that make up the Cederberg Heritage Walk – community-based hiking experiences in the Cederberg. The hikes are all escorted by members of the local community.

Your experience includes accommodation, meals, visits to view rock art, and a donkey cart ride. Overnights are in homestays in a series of Moravian mission villages. The hikes are slackpack so your luggage is transported to the next night's stay and you need carry only day packs.

Day one: 12 km, roughly 8 hours
Having slept in Clanwilliam the night before, begin your hike up the Krakdouw Pass trail in the heart of the Wilderness area (12 km), to Krakadouw Neck and down to the village of Heuningvlei where you overnight.

Day two: 16 km, roughly 9 hours
From Huningvlei via the Boontjieskloof Hut down to Grasvlei and Brugkraal, where you overnight.

Day three: 8 km, roughly 4 hours
The walk is easy up a donkey cart track via Witwater to Heuningvlei. From there you can choose to head up the Pakhuis Pass either by donkey cart or you can walk it. Transfer back to Clanwilliam.

Optional extra day:
At Heuningvlei where you can climb the Krakadouw Peak – a strenuous 12 km hike that ascends 900 metres. Conversely, for those after a more sedate pace, you can opt for a circular scenic day hike into the hills east of Heuningvlei up to a swimming hole.

The other hikes include: Klein Krakadouw Trail, Wupperthal Trail, Pakhuis Trail, Gabriel Trail, and the Cederberg 100 Trail.