They may be rough and require a modicum of toughness, but this trio of all-season destination adventures will take you out of your comfort zone and make you feel like you’re in your element
Whether you plan to run a remote trail, bag a craggy peak, crank some single track, or just chill with binocs under the spreading branches of a camel-thorn tree, here are some of the adventures you’ll tell your grandchildren about one day…
Scramble the Cracks to Wolfsberg Arch
Less than three hours from Cape Town, the Cederberg Wilderness is a place of wonder, and its colossal landscape bristles with serrated sandstone cliffs and precipitous valleys. It is a genuine wilderness, where extreme temperatures have forged a sandstone paradise fit for the outdoor crowd. Get ready for rock-god heaven once you cross the languid Olifants River, with hundreds of prime adventures in this timeless landscape where San hunters once held sway. Few South African destinations boast as many hiking routes as the Cederberg, and of all of them, Wolfsberg Arch and The Cracks top many lists of personal favourites. Sunrise at the arch is supernatural, but in order to soak up those first rays, you’ll need to head out at least a couple of hours before sunrise.
Tramp off from Sanddrif campsite along a steep footpath via The Valley of Red Gods and into the Wolfberg Cracks, then revel in the mild scrambling through these vertiginous sandstone slots. Plan to spend around 90 minutes here, before the trail continues across a boulder-strewn plateau to the eponymous sandstone arch.The 14 km return hiking route could take you between five and nine hours, depending on your personal fitness level. Although the Cederberg is an arid area and you’ll invariably feel the heat of the sun blistering down, it is nevertheless a winter rainfall region, with potential snow and extreme temperatures, so pack accordingly. The steepest and most technical section of the ascent is just before you enter Wolfberg Cracks, with the potential of low-level vertigo. Watch out for loose rocks along the footpath, and expect sandy terrain along the trail. You may even bump into a reptilian friend or two along the way.
Sandboard the ‘Roaring Dunes’
Witsand definitely is one of South Africa’s lesser-known nature reserves, but we can confidently rate this little jewel as one of my favourite conservation destinations on the subcontinent. You’ll have total freedom of movement – day and night – from either the splendid stone chalets or superb campsite, set amidst a stand of ancient acacia thorn trees. Grab a stand-up sandboard from the reserve’s reception (free of charge) and head to the sugar-sand mounds rising up from the thorny Northern Cape interior. These dunes rate as some of the highest in the country, and make for exhilarating high-speed runs if you’re brave enough to whoop it up under the wide, blue sky. Stair-master climbs and death-wish descents mean this adventure may not be everyone’s cup of tea! There are sit-down boards, though, but if you’re planning to go out in a blaze of glory, remember to buy a tin of Cobra floor polish, which must be applied liberally to the bottom of your board to achieve warp speed. Oh yeah, and make sure you know how to stop!
Paddle Neus Gorge … and catch a giant yellow
Canoeing or kayaking Neus Gorge in the Northern Cape’s Green Kalahari delivers all the exhilaration, natural grandeur and drama that one would expect from an aqua adventure being taken on the legendary Orange River. Put in below Neus Weir near Kakamas, and foam-party your way through a few white-water rapids before entering the narrow canyon. Here, the rooibos-latte-coloured water chutes into a narrow canyon lined by cragged, volcanic cliffs, and you know the adventure is on. You could trip the river solo if you’re an experienced paddler, but newbies should do this indescribably beautiful float with a river guide. There’s also the option to enter Mzansi’s top two-day canoe event (the Orange Descent: orangedescent.co.za). It happens every year in May, so you have almost a year to get yourself into shape. Just so you know: The rapids are Grade 2 or 3 at most and therefore not death-defying, but it’s an adventurous paddle, nonetheless. Your access is through private farm land, so it’s best to book your guided trip through Khamkirri Adventures. They also offer guided fly-fishing trips, horse trails, mountain-biking and trail-running excursions.
Words by Jacques Marais
Photography: Courtesy Images
