Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Lauren Melnick
Ever since I was little, I’ve had a fascination with space.
I think it started with that Tom Jones movie and those green Martians. Now, don’t get me wrong, that movie terrified me (especially when their tiny heads started exploding), but it didn’t put me off daydreaming about the universe.
From devouring everything about the moon landing (and the subsequent conspiracy theories that blew my mind) to watching Neil Degrasse Tyson’s “Cosmos” on Netflix and tripping out to stars exploding in the galaxies…
…If it involved space on any medium, you’d find me there.
It’s my obsession with outer space that lured me to the Cederberg Wilderness Area. The nature reserve has a unique landscape that screams OTHERWORLDLY. Honestly, it wouldn’t feel out of place to see a rover driving across the plains.
With towering rock formations delicately balancing in a way that seems supernatural, hiking in the Cederberg is something else. You won’t find anything like it elsewhere in South Africa, which is what makes it so special.
And its crowning glory? The Wolfberg Cracks day hike to the iconic Wolfberg Arch.
The scenery shows off the best the Cederberg has to offer, and camping here for a night or two is the cherry on top.
Want to tackle the hike for yourself? This is the only day hike & Wolfberg Cracks overnight hiking guide you need!
Psst…Want more hiking South Africa travel tips and inspiration? Check out these other posts:
- The Ultimate Cape of Good Hope Hiking Guide
- 10+ Spectacular Multi-Day Hiking Trails in the Western Cape
- 12 Best Hiking Trails in Cape Town With Jaw-Dropping Views
- Lion’s Head Hike in Cape Town: Full Hiking Guide
- Hiking Robberg Nature Reserve: Everything You Need to Know
- 15+ Best Hikes in South Africa With Mind-Blowing Views
Table of Contents
- What is the Wolfberg Arch Trail?
- Wolfberg Arch Practical Information
- Can You Hike Wolfberg Arch Without a Guide?
- The Best Time of Year to Hike Wolfberg Arch
- How to Get to The Start of the Cederberg Wolfberg Cracks Trail from Cape Town
- What to Pack for the Wolfberg Arch Overnight Hike
- Wolfberg Arch Hike Day 1
- Wolfberg Arch Hike Day 2
What is the Wolfberg Arch Trail?
The Wolfberg Arch Trail is a 16km hike in the Cederberg and one of the most iconic Western Cape hikes. Set against dramatic mountains and fiery red rock formations, the landscape is unlike anything else you’ll find in the province.
And don’t even get me started on the sunsets! As golden hour begins, the entire place lights up and transforms the scenery into picture-perfect hues of gold, oranges, and violet blues.
But back to the trail.
It’s a day hike that will take you zig-zagging up a side of a mountain, climbing over giant boulders, and wandering past a Martian like-world. It’s otherworldly, which is why a day hike doesn’t do it justice.
Grab your hiking permits from Sandriff Farm, and you can spend a night camping right underneath the Cederberg’s famous Wolfberg Arch.
Come here for the new moon for spectacular stargazing or on a full moon to watch it rise between the arch. With zero light pollution, it’s a wild camping setting you’ll rave about for years.
Read More: How to Photograph the Milky Way (Step by Step!)
Wolfberg Arch Practical Information
- Wolfberg Arch Hike Distance: 16km roundtrip (it is shorter if you go the same way down)
- Difficulty: Moderate. The Wolfberg Arch hike is much easier than some of the Table Mountain hikes, but there is a steep 3km incline at the beginning of the trail. Before you get onto the plateau, there is some light rock scrambling. If you aren’t comfortable with inclines (especially if you’re camping and carrying all your gear), you might struggle to get to the top.
- Wolfberg Cracks Permits: You need a permit for the day or overnight hike at Wolfberg Arch. You will need to get it from the Dwarsrivier reception centre. Book your permits before your hike and try to avoid weekends. The trail is super busy, and a lot of people illegally camp, which means you won’t get to experience the arch in peace.
- Accommodation: You can book campsites or self-catering chalets at Sandriff Farm.
- Parking: There is a parking area at the beginning of the trail.
- Gate Code: You will need a gate code from reception to get access to the start of the Wolfberg Arch trail and the parking area.
- Water: Make sure to bring enough water with you. There are no water points along the trail, and it gets hot. There is little to no shade. If you’re camping for one night, you should have a minimum of 3 litres per person.
- Leave no trace: The Wolfberg Arch Trail is a wild camping experience. This means that you will have to carry everything with you and leave nothing behind. Tell them to take their trash back down the mountain if you see other hikers being a**holes. It ruins the experience, and I’ve witnessed people try to hide their empty beer cans behind rocks.
Read More: 15+ Best Hikes in South Africa With Mind-Blowing Views
Can You Hike Wolfberg Arch Without a Guide?
Yes and no.
The trail is marked with cairns, but these aren’t always reliable, and it is discouraged to stack rocks in the wild. In some places on the trail, it is hard to spot the cairns that are still around.
I would recommend going with a guide or someone who knows the way if it’s your first time, especially if you’re a newbie hiker and not comfortable self-navigating.
A guide can also take you down a different way and help you explore more of the Cederberg that most day hikers miss out on.
I run guided, fully-catered (no cooking for you, yay!) Wolfberg Arch overnight hikes every couple of months with Blake Dyason from Love Our Trails. Sign up for my hiking waitlist, and you’ll get first dibs on spots before I open up bookings to everyone else.
The Best Time of Year to Hike Wolfberg Arch
You can hike the Wolfberg Arch Trail any time of year, but some months are more magical than others. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect to help you choose the best month for your hike:
Winter (June-August)
Winters in the Cederberg are f**king cold.
You have been warned.
If you want to spend the night camping underneath the Wolfberg Arch and watch the Milky Way light up the night sky, get the right gear.
I’m talking about a winter sleeping bag (comfort level below 0 at least), insulated sleeping pads, thermals, gloves, beanies, and a 3 or 4 season to keep the chilly wind at bay.
The Cederberg also has its rainy season in winter. You’ll need to pack rain gear and try to plan your hike around the downpours.
But if you can handle the drop in temperature at night, you can reap the rewards during the day. It doesn’t get as hot, making the ascent easier, and winter is the best time for stargazing in South Africa.
Read More: 45+ Hiking Essentials: The Ultimate Hiking Packing List for Beginners
Autumn (March-May)
Hands down, the best time to hike Wolfberg Arch is in autumn. The summer heat is slowly becoming a distant memory, the rains have yet to arrive, and the nightfall temperatures aren’t bone-chilling.
Expect clear skies, beautiful sunsets, and all-around perfect hiking weather.
The best part?
You won’t have to offer a bucket of sweat to the mountain gods.
Spring (September – October)
Spring is a unique time of year in the Cederberg. The arid landscape sees an eruption in colour as wildflowers start to bloom.
As you follow the Wolfberg Arch trail, you’ll walk past a private flower show all the way to your campsite.
When it comes to the weather, spring is another excellent choice. The bitterly cold chill is melting away, and day temperatures are still bearable.
If the weather is good, you could even sleep outside of your tent!
Summer (November-February)
Summer is HOT in the Cederberg.
Temperatures can climb over 40°C, and the hot winds mean you will sweat your toxic ex out of your system.
If you decide to do the day or overnight Wolfberg Arch hike over these months, please pack extra water and be aware of the symptoms of heatstroke.
How to Get to The Start of the Cederberg Wolfberg Cracks Trail from Cape Town
Distance: 245km
Driving time: 3 hours
To get to the Wolfberg Arch Trail from Cape Town, you’ll want to head to the Sanddrif Holiday Resort in the Cederberg Wilderness Area.
Here’s a handy dandy Google Maps link to pop into your phone.
I recommended using “Cederberg Wines” as your pinpoint to get the most accurate route to the reception area.
One thing to note is that you’ll lose reception as soon as you turn onto the gravel road. You’re not going to get any Whatsapp messages and no phone calls will go through until you reach Cederberg Wines.
The winery has a small tuck shop called the Dwarsriver Farm Stall with free WiFi you can use before heading down to the start of the trail.
You won’t have signal on the hike either. Please let people know when you arrive and when to expect you back.
What to Pack for the Wolfberg Arch Overnight Hike
The Wolfberg Arch Trail is a wild camping experience.
Errr…what does that mean?
You’re hauling everything you need up that mountain (if you’re camping).
Brace yourself for immense booty gains and schedule in that hot stone massage after the hike. Your body will thank you.
Here’s what to pack for the Wolfberg Arch overnight hike:
- Three litres + of Water: There are no water points on the Wolfberg Trail. Zip. Zilch. Zero. You’ll want to make sure you carry enough water with you for both days. If you know you guzzle water, pack more. It’s better to over-prepare than risk dehydration on the mountain.
- 60L Backpack with Rain Cover: A 60L backpack is the perfect size to fit everything you need for the two days. Don’t forget the rain cover!
- Headlamp and Extra Batteries: Whether you need to go for a midnight poop or you’re getting up before sunrise, a headlamp is a must-have on overnight hikes.
- Camera: I shoot with a Canon 80D and a Sigma Art 18-35mm f/s 1.8. I’m itching to get the Sigma 24-70mm f/2 2.8 for more range versatility. Besides my DSLR, I’m forever snapping away on my iPhone.
- Portable Charger: You will be without electricity for the entire hike, so make sure the devices you’ll need are fully charged and you have a backup power source in case.
- Hiking Shoes and Socks: Please don’t attempt this hike in plakkies and All-Stars. If you’re camping overnight, you need the ankle support and grip a proper hiking shoe gives you. There’s lots of loose rock, and you need the right footwear. For socks, opt for a pair of mohairs. It’s a sweat-wicking material, keeps your feet dry, and helps prevent nasty blisters. I currently use the the Hi-Tec Altitude Mid Boot (for multi-days) and the K-Way Men’s Edge Waterproof Shoe (for day hikes and yes, I wear the men’s stuff).
- Inflatable Pillow: A pillow definitely adds that extra bit of comfort, and because it’s inflatable, it takes up almost no space and is super lightweight. Alternatively, stuff some clothes into your sleeping bag’s bag.
- Four-Season Tent: You need a tent that can handle the strong winds and icy temperatures.
- Winter Sleeping Bag with a Comfort Rating of At Least 0°C: The last thing you want is for the cold to keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. A well-insulated down sleeping bag will have you feeling snug as a bug.
- Rain Gear: Be prepared for any weather scenario and make sure you stay dry and warm with a good quality waterproof jacket and a dry bag for your electronics.
- Insulated Mattress or Mat: Sleeping directly on the ground is a sure-fire way to lose heat and have a poor night’s sleep. With a yoga mat or an insulated mattress, you keep yourself elevated and warm.
- Warm Jacket and Thermals: The Cederberg can get really chilly at night. Make sure you prepare with an insulated down jacket, thermal base layers, and soft outer layer shells.
- Beanie and Gloves: Keeping warm is definitely priority number one, especially once the sun goes down. A beanie and gloves will keep the cold at bay.
- Sun Protection: There is a bit of shade from the mountain on the way up the Cracks, but once you get to the top, you’ll be fully exposed to the sun. Pack SPF50+ sunscreen, a pair of UV sunglasses, a cap, buff and, some SPF lip balm.
- Food: When it comes to lightweight, delicious hiking meals, I highly recommend Trail Food Co and Forever Fresh. Both brands are affordable and give you hearty portions.
- Personal items: You’ll need your personal meds, wet wipes, toilet paper, ziplock bag for the toilet paper (follow strictly Leave No Trace principles), and toiletries.
Read More: 45+ Hiking Essentials: The Ultimate Hiking Packing List for Beginners
Wolfberg Arch Hike Day 1
Distance: 7km
Camp at Sandriff (or stay in the chalets) the night before if you want to start the hike in the morning. Otherwise, you can drive through on the day and aim to start hiking by 12:00 pm at the latest (in winter) or 13:00 (in summer).
This will give you more than enough time to make it up the steep incline and make it to camp for sunset.
When it comes to routes, the Wolfberg Cracks have two options: The little or big cracks.
If you’re short on time and want the easy route, go with Big Cracks. The Little Cracks are fun, but you’ll need to have rope (if you have backpacks), and you’ll be passing bags and taking them on and off.
At the top, the terrain is flat, although there is another small ascent over some rocks just before the Arch.
You can camp right in front of the Wolfberg Arch, and the sunsets and sunrises here are insane!
Wolfberg Arch Hike Day 2
Distance: 9km
You can go down the same way you came up, but if you want to see different scenery and hike past the Cedar forest, there is another route to the left of the campsite.
However, it’s not clearly marked.
I would only attempt this with a guide or someone who knows the way down.
Both descents end right by the parking lot, and the second option is longer.
Before you head back home, you can book a wine or craft beer tasting by reception. I’ve done both, and you can’t go wrong with either option.
Want to support leopard conservation in the area? The Cape Leopard Trust has its own beer you can purchase from the brewery. Proceeds from sales go directly to the organisation to fund their conservation efforts.
How rad?
Woo-hoo! You made it to the end! What are you waiting for? Go grab your hiking shoes or sign up for our next Wolfbeg Arch hike and explore the Cederberg!
Sam says
Hi, I am looking to do the wolfberg Arch hike you wrote about, but am a solo travels – do you have any groups or recommendations or guides that do it?