the cederberg 

The Cederberg region lies 250 kilometers north of Cape Town—(about nine days' travel in an ox wagon during the mid-eighteenth century). The mountainous terrain of the Cape Fold Belt consists largely of shale and nutrient-poor soil. Rainfall is less than 40 millimeters per year; surface water is limited and scattered.

Despite the aridity, the vegetation is diverse. Areas of Renosterveld, Nama Karoo, and Succulent Karoo biomes are interspersed among the predominant Fynbos, providing different densities and ranges of plants within a relatively contained space. The endangered Clanwilliam Cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis), belonging to the Cupressaceae family, and the snow protea (Protea cryophila), are endemic to the area, found only in more remote areas high up in the mountains.

Cederberg is also known for its bizarre rock formations like Wolfberg Arch and Maltese Cross, well-preserved examples of prehistoric rock paintings by the early San people, and the rare Clanwilliam cedars which give the area its name. The extremely lucky may even catch a glimpse of one of the wild leopards which roam the peaks.

Arable land is limited by the altitude, the dry climate, and the rocky terrain, and few farms exist. Rooibos tea plants have adapted well to the harsh conditions and is the area's most famous export, though fruit and tobacco are also harvested on some farms. The Cederberg area includes one winery, the highest in South Africa. Around the Wupperthal area are a number of subsistence farms. Some commercial pine plantations remain around the Algeria forest station. Proteas and other fynbos plants are also grown. A number of farms have become predominantly guest farms catering for the local and international tourist market.

There are no mining activities.

As a wilderness area, the primary activity is eco-tourism, including camping, rock climbing and hiking. The main campsite, Algeria, is operated by CapeNature, while others such as Sanddrif, Driehoek, Jamaka and Krom River are privately operated.

The Cederberg is renowned for its quality of rock climbing routes particularly around the Krakadouw and Tafelberg peaks. The Table Mountain Sandstone creates ideal conditions for spectacular routes. There are numerous day and overnight hikes including the popular and spectacular Wolfberg Arch, Wolfberg Cracks and the Maltese Cross.

The area is also home to an amateur astronomical observatory, which regularly hosts open evenings for the public.

There are various 4x4 routes.

A large tract of the northern Cederberg is owned by the Moravian Church. The quaint village of Wupperthal forms part of a mission station route that provides visitors with an interesting view of rural life.

The village is also a well known center for hand-made leather shoes and boots. One of the "buite stasies" (directly translated as outer stations) is Heuningvlei, a small picturesque hamlet that has developed a donkey cart trail from the summit of Pakhuis Pass to the hamlet. The project, a poverty alleviation project funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism includes the creation of backpacking accommodation, herb garden and various other tourism offerings.