Wolfberg Arch Overnight via the Narrow Crack, Day 1 – (Cederberg NR – Sanddrif Resort)

Recorded on Saturday 23.09.2023. Love it or hate it the Wolfberg Cracks and Arch have become one of the Cape’s more popular hiking attractions thanks to Instagram and other social media platforms. Each post seems to bring more and more enthusiasts to this trail and the photographic Cedarberg region in general becomes more and more popular with each passing season. The scenery is spectacular, so it is not difficult to understand why. On the 2023 Heritage Day long weekend when we attempted this trail the crowds were out in full force to experience the cracks. As a result of the crowds the zig zagging ascent and boulder scrambling was slow with queues forming and there was little quiet or privacy to be found. Fortunately, our experience of the Wolfberg changed after dropping our heavy and large overnight bags at the top of the wide crack. Early afternoon we headed back down without the backpacks to attempt the narrow crack and found a more normal amount of trail traffic on this less frequented route. The start of the narrow cracks route begins with a scramble up to a ledge assisted by a rope hold (look for this rope hold with a cave opening slightly above it), then there are ropes which guide one around an exposed ledge, these first two obstacles deter a substantial amount of traffic from attempting the narrow crack as it requires a certain degree of physical ability and confidence. Avoid entering or please note that the first cave after climbing up to the ledge is not the route into the narrow cracks, you will need to traverse the ledge! After traversing around the ledge assisted by the longer ropes its an uphill scramble until one reaches a gap in the rocks or small arch if you will. A white foot is painted on the rock here indicating that you are on the correct path. After more boulder hopping up to what seems to be a dead-end cave, white arrows become visible showing the way into the cracks. From this point it is a tight dark squeeze through the cracks until an opening is reached. At this opening you will find yourself under large arches within the cracks. After more scrambling, continuing to the left (if ascending the cracks) the trail cuts through a small gap which you will have to climb through. After this point the cracks widen under a large arch before continuing through a narrow but high walled corridor. At the end of this narrow corridor are two scramble sections which some might find challenging. It requires you to make use of a few rope holds and natural rock climbing holds to ascend the large boulders blocking the cracks (this might be challenging with a larger pack as it gets narrow overhead). After these obstacles are climbed then it’s a narrow but open overhead squeeze until the cracks begin to open and the top is reached. A short way on the path is reunited with the wide cracks path and the path to the Wolfberg Arch. At the old green sign for the trail to the Wolfberg Arch the arch itself is not visible just yet, although some sources claim it to be visible from when the cracks are summited but this is not the case. After a short gradual uphill the path plateaus and then the arch becomes visible far off in the distance. At this point it seems as though it is so far one might not reach it within the day but to our surprise the distance was not as vast as it first appeared, furthermore the arch acts as a beacon to head towards should you lose the path. The path is indistinct in some sections over rock or obscured by other rocks but luckily heading in the general direction of the arch should reveal one of several rock cairns which will reunite you with the path. After crossing a 1500m contour the trail then begins to descend slightly to an open flat plateau. Here are two streams that after rain, or in the Cape’s wetter months can provide great quality flowing water. Fill here to have water overnight for the arch as only stagnant pools may be all that is available there. After the streams it is a short scramble up to the flat open campsite beneath the Wolfberg Arch. There are quite a few potential camp sites in the vicinity and if you overnight you might need to get creative with securing your tent. Rocks for guy lines etc. as the terrain might not allow for pegging your tent in a conventional way. Be sure to secure your tent securely because at the 1560m altitude the winds can be strong and arrive unexpectedly. Also be sure to pack a warm change of clothing. In summer although days can be scorching hot in the Cederberg the evenings can be chilly especially with wind chill factor. In Winter and occasionally in Spring or Autumn at 1560m above sea level, snow and subzero temperatures can occur at night so be prepared.