WUPPERTHAL

Wupperthal is a small town in the beautiful Cederberg Mountains of the Western Cape.

It was founded in 1830 by two German missionaries of the Rhenish Missionary Society – Theobald von Wurmb and Johann Gottlieb Leipoldt, grandfather of the famous C. Louis Leipoldt. In 1965, Wupperthal became part of the Moravian Church of South Africa.

Wupperthal consists of 15 different communities and covers about 36 000 hectares. The main economic activity of Wupperthal is agriculture, with Rooibos tea as the main agricultural product. Wupperthal can be seen as the homeland of Rooibos tea.

For many Wupperthal is the “JEWEL OF THE CEDERBERG” with its very secluded location in the Cederberg. The uniqueness lies in its exceptional scenery and impressive rock formations, as well as the culture and way of life of the small number of inhabitants. Here it literally feels time has stood still for 100 years. The Cederberg is famous for its spectacular rock formations that was sculpted by glaciers, wind, and water over many millions of years. The Cederberg was a prominent feature since before the breaking up of Gondwanaland 130 million years ago. The earliest written mention of the Cederberg was when the explorer Bartholomew Dias saw these mountains from the Atlantic Ocean. He called them the “Sierra dos Reis” (meaning mountains of the three wise men of the East). Presumably these are the three mighty peaks of Sneeuberg, Sneeukop and Tafelberg. The name Cederberg come from the Cedar Tree and is extremely rare. Maybe you will see one on this hike.

2024 WUPPERTHAL HIKE DATES:

• 13 – 17 April 2024
• 23-27 August 2024
• 03 – 07 Sept 2024 (private date)
• 12 – 16 Sept 2024 (fully booked)

The Trail:

The Wupperthal trail is a new initiative between Live the Journey and the Wupperthal community. Special permission was granted for the development of this hike. This unique hike was launched in 2022, a first for the Cederberg and it is growing from strength to strength. True to the Live the Journey Way you will experience hearty hospitality from our support team, despite the logistical challenges to set up camps in totally remote locations. You can expect a world-class effort from the team. Two of the overnight locations can only be reached by 4×4 vehicles. Do not expect to just walk the distance every day from point A to point B. No, this trail is a unique experience set against a backdrop of ancient rock formations, ochre-coloured valleys, mountains and canyons, accompanied by like-minded souls. The trail will take you through one of the most unspoilt areas in South Africa. As part of the Greater Cederberg area, you will see and experience stunning rock formations in a part of the Cederberg that no hiker has ever had the privilege to access before. This 4-day slack-pack hike stretches over approximately 66 km.

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL & WELCOME

Arrival at Drakie Camp from 15h00 (please do not arrive earlier). We also ask that you arrive no later than 17h00 for the first night of wild camping.

A very special site between beautiful rock formations was identified for the first night’s camp, guarded by a dragon, after which the camp was named. The shelter that the beautiful rocks provide, bordered by Rooibos tea plantations, will give you a true wilderness feeling and is one of the reasons why the Wupperthal hike is so special.

The logistical team awaits your arrival and during the evening a short briefing will be given regarding the trail, safety measures and what to expect in the days to follow. Enjoy a hearty dinner and a glass of wine or juice/soft drink around the campfire.

O/N Drakie Camp – Wild camping

DAY 2: HIKING (Distance approx. 18 KM / Difficulty 6 – 6.5 depending on weather)

Breakfast will be served. Pack your own lunch with food provided. For the first part of the day the walk will be along a 2-track path and pass through Speelkloof until you reach the Grashoek community. Continue along the 2-track path that connects the communities of Kleinvlei, Brugkraal and Agterstevlei with Wupperthal. You will be amazed by the simplicity in which the local communities make their living. Traditional farming methods are still widely used. The road follows a perennial river that has water 365 days of the year, ensuring a beautiful environment and allowing you to take a dip in one of the pools whenever you feel like it.

After about 11 km you leave the jeep track and walk on a footpath that the locals from the community of Eselbank use to get to the community of Kleinvlei. The rock formations in this area are strikingly beautiful – sure to leave you feeling awestruck in wonder.

Your camp this evening is close to Eselbank in a beautiful area. Enjoy dinner and a glass of wine or juice/soft drink around the campfire.

O/N Waterfall Camp – Wild camping

Red on map / Elevation going up 423m – going down 470m.

DAY 3: HIKING (Distance approx. 20 KM / Difficulty 6 – 7)

While we know that you would like to stay longer in this mesmerising place, you unfortunately must continue your hike today. Enjoy breakfast and pack your lunch box.

The morning starts off with a walk to the Eselbank Waterfall – a hidden gem, passing through lush fynbos. You then set off through the proteas on a sandy track, passing some houses on your way. The sand eventually gives way to a gravel road passing through the Eselbank community and onto a rocky plateau. Make your way over and through beautiful rock formations until you reach a very special place, called “Ereboog” (Honorary Arch) by the locals. You will think that this is one of the most beautiful spots in the world.

After spending some time at ‘Ereboog’, you make your way back down the rocky formations and continue walking between fynbos and proteas. It is quite flat, but beautiful nature. At about midday, you will reach one of the outposts, Bo Martiensrus. From there you will walk down the mountain on a winding single track. This single track is still used daily by the locals to get up and down the mountain. It is enduring to see and experience the extent to which the locals must go to get out of the valley. Arriving at the bottom, you will meet a couple who live and cultivate this hidden and remote valley in the same manner as their ancestors have before them. The last 7km of today follows a meandering stream to the beautiful Akkeba camp next to the stream. The hearty hospitality of the locals is what makes this camp site truly special. Locally made Rooibos Ginger beer is a special treat – something that is served nowhere else. The logistics team will have the camp ready for your arrival. Enjoy a delicious dinner and a glass of wine or juice/soft drink around the campfire.

O/N Akkeba Camp – Wild camping

DAY 4: HIKING (Distance approx. 15 KM / Difficulty 8.5)

(the majority of this day’s hike is 5, but a 400-500m section pushes the rating up to 8.5)

Enjoy breakfast, pack your lunch box, and fill the water bottles for a challenging day. While today’s distance is only 15,5km, there are some steep short inclines waiting. The last 5km is very easy walking with beautiful views. The route mainly follows a trail that was only used by 4×4 vehicles years ago but is currently not in use. The views are spectacular. On one side is the beautiful Cederberg with its gorges and on the other side the vast plains of the Tankwa Karoo.

At the highest point of today’s hike, you will look down on the village of Wupperthal, as well as some of the other outposts, allowing you to track the entire route you have hiked over the past two days. The vistas will stay with you forever. Tonight, we camp at Vaalheuning. It is Wupperthal’s most remote outpost and can only be reached by 4×4 vehicles. The camp overlooks a large oak tree and the beautiful stone houses of Vaalheuning. The seclusion of this remote outpost is really special. Enjoy dinner and a glass of wine or juice/soft drink around the campfire.

O/N Vaalheuning Camp – Wild camping

Green on map / Elevation going up 655m – going down 336m

DAY 5: HIKING & DEPARTURE (Distance approx. 12.5 KM / Difficulty 4 / 5)

Enjoy breakfast, no need to pack a lunch box for today. Today’s trail goes downhill in the direction of Wupperthal and you will enjoy breathtaking views along the entire 12 km route. Today’s hike can be divided into three sections: First stretch of 3 km is flat; second stretch is 6 km downhill with sections of loose rocks; third stretch of 3 km is also flat.

We hike on a 4×4-track with truly breathtaking scenery. When you arrive in Wupperthal, you walk along the impressively beautiful “main street”, lined with historic buildings. Repairs are still underway after a devastating fire caused major damage to these old buildings about three years ago.

(Breakfast, and a special farewell finger lunch included)

END OF TOUR

GENERAL INFORMATION

TOUR DATES:

2024

• 13 – 17 April 2024
• 23 – 27 August 2024
• 03 – 07 September 2024 (private group)
• 12 – 16 September 2024 (fully booked)

Group size: 18 -24 hikers (tailor-made options available for private groups)

Duration: 4 nights, 5 days (day 1 is arrival & welcome and days 2 – 5 are spent hiking)

Distances: Approximately 66 km

Rating and Fitness: This multi-day hike takes place in rugged mountain areas and can be strenuous and challenging. The hiking surface differs from single track to gravel roads. Some surfaces are quite rocky and stability and good hiking shoes are required. Hikers need to be healthy and hiking fit and be able to manoeuvre steep inclines/descents and rocky terrain for the duration of the hike. Overly the hike is not difficult, but on one of the days there is a section (6 km) with a consistent incline, and another 300-meter section with a steep incline.

Rates:

Rates are subject to increase and may be changed without prior notice.

TOUR INCLUDES

• 4 nights’ wild camping with your own or LTJ camping equipment.
• Local guides and support team.
• Transport and logistics of your luggage and camping gear to the overnight camps. Please make sure to pack light and use a soft duffle bag.
• All meals included – from arrival dinner on day 1 to all breakfasts, lunch packs and scrumptious veld dinners with local specialties and spoils prepared by our local team on hiking days. Breakfast on day 5 will be included.
• You will pack your own lunch pack every morning. We will provide a variety of breads, cold meats, and snacks for you to choose from. Remember to bring your own lunch box.
• Coffee, tea, and soft drinks with meals plus limited wine at dinner every evening.
• Drinking and shower water.
• Showers and chemical toilets, set up each evening.
• Camping chair.

TOUR EXCLUDES

• All pre and post travel to Wupperthal (travel by road, flights, accommodation).
• Tent, mattress, sleeping bag and pillow (standard package).
• Hiking cutlery and crockery set.
• Daypack and hiking gear like walking sticks, water bottles, lunch box container, first aid and blister kit, own medications.
• Drinks not mentioned.
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance.

Voluntary Community fee – R380 per person.

Community Fee:

Although it is a voluntary fee, we would like to urge you to make this contribution. You will experience firsthand what we are trying to achieve with the hike and community fee.

At present the Wupperthal Hikes are acting as the custodians of, and supporting two cultural traditions of the Wupperthal community, the ‘Riel’ dancers, and the brass band. Both are focused on upholding traditions from the past and the funds the Wupperthal Hikes collect help to keep these two traditions alive, especially for the youth of the area. The communities in and around Wupperthal struggle and the funds we invest in these projects do go a long way.  If you feel you want to contribute in any way after you have done the hike, you are welcome to do so. It doesn’t have to be the amount specified above. It can be at your own discretion – any contribution is valued.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Indemnity & Emergency Evacuation Insurance:

Participants require a good level of fitness. An indemnity form must be completed by all hikers.

Hikers will also be required to have emergency medical evacuation insurance, whether through your medical aid or travel insurance, proof of which will be required prior to the hike.

Special Dietary Requirements

Our guide team will walk the extra mile to cater for your needs. However, given the conditions under which this tour/hike is operated it is not possible to cater for all dietary requirements. Also, variation and availability of supplies in the area is very limited. We can cater for vegetarians, pescatarians, and gluten free diets. If you do not fall within these categories, we would like to recommend that you discuss your requirements with us and where possible, make provision for your own meal requirements. We can discuss a possible discount off your hike price in these cases.

Weather

Our hikes take place during Spring (mid-March to mid-May) and Autumn (mid-August to mid-October), which are favourable times of the year for this region. The day-time temperatures are warm to hot, but you can still be active. The evenings are cooler, but you can dine outside, providing you have something warm to wear. Average daytime temperatures are typically 24-30°C. Evening temperatures are 15-20°C.

Pack list

A complete list of what to pack will be provided after your booking is confirmed. Hikers must bring: a day pack; walking sticks (recommended); hiking gear; hiking cutlery and crockery set (plate, knife, fork, teaspoon, tablespoon, porridge bowl, mug), lunch box; water bottles for carrying water during the day; plasters and blister-care goodies; all items of a personal nature; tent (pop-up recommended) and bedding.  Your hike includes coffee and tea with meals, and limited wine each night with dinner. Hikers may bring their own alcoholic beverages to enjoy, however keep in mind that space is limited as everything must be transported. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks to nibble on in between meals, but there is ample food to pack every morning. Remember to bring your own lunch box container.

Pre-travel arrangements and accommodation

Hikers are responsible for their own pre-hike travel and accommodation arrangements. You are, however, welcome to ask our consultants to assist with and to handle arrangements on your behalf.

Admin Fee:

• R55.00 once off per reservation.