A Guide to the Agter-Pakhuis Valley
Hikes and trails
A beautiful hike from the top of the Pakhuis Pass. Park in the designated parking area at the top of the pass. Take the trail from here through the gate and continue straight on. This is a well-marked trail through classic Cederberg terrain with lovely views down to Karoo on your left. You can walk as far as you want and then turn back. (Eventually you would come to the small community of Heuningvlei after about 12km).
Heuningvlei
A beautiful hike from the top of the Pakhuis Pass. Park in the designated parking area at the top of the pass. Take the trail from here through the gate and continue straight on. This is a well-marked trail through classic Cederberg terrain with lovely views down to Karoo on your left. You can walk as far as you want and then turn back. (Eventually you would come to the small community of Heuningvlei after about 12km).
Just before the Pakhuis pass, park your car outside the Kliphuis campsite. The walk is a 3½ to 4 hour circular walk through pristine Cederberg fynbos. It is relatively gentle (as Cedarberg walks go!) The trail begins behind the old Forestry House and snakes up a kloof for approx 30 minutes. This is the only bit of steep walking. When you reach the top of the kloof, you come out onto a wide broad plateau with views to Kliphuis immediately on the right, the peaks of Faith, Hope and Charity on your far right hand side, and Ribbokberg immediately in front of you. The path veers around to the left. Most of the walk continues on this plateau with gradual ups and downs. The path is clearly marked in most places and there are stone cairns where the trail is over the open rock. Later in the walk, you descend next to a river (Kliphuisrivier), dry in summer, which has lovely waterfalls in winter. At this point, there’s a very pretty view of Lion’s Head, an escarpment of small peaks looking like lions gazing over the plains. Shortly after this the path turns to the left and you round the hill to return to the original valley. After the descent there is a slow gentle uphill section (tiring at this stage in the walk) back to the car park at Kliphuis. This section can be a little boggy in winter.
Kliphuis (Pakhuis) Campsite
R364Just before the Pakhuis pass, park your car outside the Kliphuis campsite. The walk is a 3½ to 4 hour circular walk through pristine Cederberg fynbos. It is relatively gentle (as Cedarberg walks go!) The trail begins behind the old Forestry House and snakes up a kloof for approx 30 minutes. This is the only bit of steep walking. When you reach the top of the kloof, you come out onto a wide broad plateau with views to Kliphuis immediately on the right, the peaks of Faith, Hope and Charity on your far right hand side, and Ribbokberg immediately in front of you. The path veers around to the left. Most of the walk continues on this plateau with gradual ups and downs. The path is clearly marked in most places and there are stone cairns where the trail is over the open rock. Later in the walk, you descend next to a river (Kliphuisrivier), dry in summer, which has lovely waterfalls in winter. At this point, there’s a very pretty view of Lion’s Head, an escarpment of small peaks looking like lions gazing over the plains. Shortly after this the path turns to the left and you round the hill to return to the original valley. After the descent there is a slow gentle uphill section (tiring at this stage in the walk) back to the car park at Kliphuis. This section can be a little boggy in winter.
Krakadouw
From Heuningvlei you can climb the beautiful Krakadouw peak.
Sightseeing
The Sevilla Rock Art Trail is on Travellers Rest farm about 30 minutes drive from Clanwilliam over the Pakhuis Pass.
Sevilla rock art trail
R364The Sevilla Rock Art Trail is on Travellers Rest farm about 30 minutes drive from Clanwilliam over the Pakhuis Pass.
Food scene
The Hen House Coffee Shop at Alpha Excelsior offers delicious coffee, tasty meals and free WiFi. It is open on weekends during the Summer months and 6 days a week over Climbing Season in Winter
The Hen House
The Hen House Coffee Shop at Alpha Excelsior offers delicious coffee, tasty meals and free WiFi. It is open on weekends during the Summer months and 6 days a week over Climbing Season in Winter
Bouldering & Climbing region
The Northern Cederberg with its magnificent sandstone rock formations carved and weathered by the elements over many millennia has become a world renowned bouldering and climbing area known as Rocklands.
Rocklands Climbing
R364The Northern Cederberg with its magnificent sandstone rock formations carved and weathered by the elements over many millennia has become a world renowned bouldering and climbing area known as Rocklands.
Consejos para los viajeros
Reserva antes de marcharte
Cederberg Wilderness Area Permits required for most trails
Permits are available from Kliphuis Campsite (Cape Nature) or on Quicket online
Costumbres y cultura
Protected Rock Art
Please do not climb on or around any spots where there is visible rock art - these are historic works that are thousands of years old
Costumbres y cultura
Stick to the paths
The biodiversity in the area is incomparable - please respect nature and stick to the paths as far as possible