Cradock and George Peaks Trail

See also Encounter Magazine's comprehensive guide on Hiking in South Africa.

The first part of this strenuous hike leads from the entrance to the old Witfontein forest station through pine plantations on forestry tracks. Soon the Tierkop Trail leads off to the right. Follow the yellow ox-wagon markers and the clear signposts.

Once you have crossed Tierkloof (the last place where there is reliable water) and are on the old Cradock Pass (follow the telephone line at first) keep to the series of large stone cairns demarcating the pass. High up on the slopes of Cradockberg you cross the railway line between George and Oudtshoorn.

The final climb up Cradock Kloof to the nek which marks the top of the pass is a sustained, steep and, in wet weather, slippery one, but the increasingly grand views of the mountains more than make up for this. The trail ends near the top of Montagu Pass and if you do not have transport waiting, you will have to walk the 11 km (3 hours) down to the beginning.

Cradock and George Peak Trail
This trail links the Montagu and Outeniqua passes, and can be walked either way. You may wish to turn around and walk back when you reach the end of the trail, but if you do not you must have transport waiting at the end.

The trail begins near the disused quarry at the top of Montagu Pass. Halfway along the trail, which climbs up and down the southern slopes of the Outeniquas, there is an optional detour to the top of Losberg.

As its name implies, this koppie stands apart from the main range and provides a unique vantage point to view the town of George below. The trail is particularly lovely in winter, spring and early summer, when many of the fynbos species are in flower.

The route is clearly marked. Amongst the birds to be seen and heard on the trail is Victorin's Warbler, a secretive fynbos endemic in streamside vegetation.