Heuningvlei Jeep Track Trail

About Heuningvlei Jeep Track Trail

Start: Pakhuis Pass
Finish: Heuningvlei
Duration: 12 km, roughly 5 hours
Fitness: moderate to easy; children can do this hike
Our tip: you do need a Cederberg Wilderness permit, which you can pick up at the information office in Clanwilliam. Conversely a Wild Card gets you into the reserve.

In the northern section of the Cederberg Wilderness Area are a number of hiking routes. Whilst most trails are unmarked and the major reason for walking in the reserve is that you can create your own trails, there are some that are easy to follow.

Drive to the top of the Pakhuis Pass where you park your car in the parking area (off to the right of the pass). A trail leaves here through a gate.

The trail is fundamentally a jeep track that you take to the bottom of the hill, after which it slowly climbs up surrounded by remarkable sandstone cliffs dotted with fynbos.

The highlights of the route are the views out over the Karoo, the fynbos and the simplicity of the path – if you are a hiker that enjoys knowing exactly where you are going, then this is a good hike for you as the track is always obvious.

At any stage you can head back – good to know if you have children along.

At the top of the hill the track evens out a little and it is a good space in which to enjoy the rock formations, the fynbos and the views over the Brandwyn River valley. You are not yet at the highest point of the hike, however, as the path climbs from here on to the shoulder of the Groenberg.

A fork in the jeep track does not present a dilemma as both paths descend into Heuningvlei. It does allow choice between a left drop straight down to the village, or a right steep descent that includes a trek around the base of Krakadouw, before heading to the village.

There is the alternative of a donkey cart ride back up from Heuningvlei (you may want to book this ahead of time).