A Journey to Restore the Clanwilliam Cedar: A Four-Day Awareness Hike

A Four-Day Awareness Hike

As we celebrate our one-year milestone with Sustainable Ceder,we’re excited to share some of this season’s key highlights.

Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat have been invaluable supporters of our mission. Recently, Gerhard and Michelle Thom, the General Managers of Bushmanskloof along with a small group of friends,scientists,and conservationists, embarked on a 70 km hike to raise awareness for the protection of the Clanwilliam Cedar.

The 4-day journey began Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat and traversed the Northern Cederberg Mountain Range passing through the historic range of this iconic tree. The hike ended at Cederberg Wines in the Southern Cederberg.

The crisp morning air welcomed our hiking party—Dawie, Steven, Blake, Michelle, Gerhard, and a local guide from Paardekraal with his two dogs. Gerhard had initiated this hike, with the noble goal of bringing awareness to the endangered Clanwilliam Cedar. We gathered at Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, our gear packed and ready, including 100 cedar saplings that we would carry on our back for planting throughout the journey.

At  9:00 a.m., Seppie dropped us at the edge of Bushmanskloof, where we met up with our local guide, Gershaun. He led us into the direction of Heuningvlei, a small community nestled in the Cederberg mountains. As we trekked the rocky trail, we began to spot the ancient silhouettes of the few remaining cedars clinging to the slopes, symbols of both survival and fragility.

When we reached the highest slope on our route, it was time for our first cedar planting. With the guidance of Gershaun, we planted several saplings in the rich mountain soil. He also led us to a hidden cave decorated with ancient rock art—whispers from the past etched in stone. As we logged our data with Earth Ranger and refreshed ourselves with cool spring water from the nearby stream, we couldn’t help but reflect on the significance of what we were doing.

Descending into Heuningvlei, we met with Gert Theron to discuss the village’s nursery and plans for growing more cedar saplings. After a well-earned lunch at the Heuningvlei Hut, Gershaun departed for Paardekraal, leaving us to continue our hike toward Boontjieskloof Hut, where we would spend our first night. Along the way, we gained altitude and found more of the ancient, naturally growing cedars among the rugged sandstone rocks.

Day 2: The Journey Deepens

After a morning of coffee and rusks, we set off in the direction of Skerpioenspoort (Skerpioen's Pass). The landscape unfolded in front of us—a breathtaking expanse of jagged cliffs, gorges, and ancient trees. On the climb, Steven stumbled across a hidden geocache tucked beneath a large cedar. Inside the cache’s notebook, he penned a short poem—a tribute to the majesty of the Cederberg wilderness.

Overlooking Boskloof, the catchment area of the Jan Dissels River, we stopped for lunch at Vangstasie near a large boulder where we found water. Continuing on, we hiked through Van Zylspoort and encountered a thriving population of healthy cedars near the Anvil, a massive rock formation. As we approached, the mist rolled in, casting a dramatic, ethereal veil over the landscape. The scene was almost otherworldly, with cedar silhouettes standing tall amid the fog.

As darkness fell, we reached Sleeppad Hut, our shelter for the night. After a long, fulfilling day of hiking, we settled in, listening to the wind howl outside while reflecting on the journey so far.

Day 3: A Mission for the Arch

After a cold night, the morning sun was slow to warm us, but eventually, we gathered ourselves for the last leg of our journey. Our goal for the day was to reach the famous Wolfberg Arch. As we walked along the Jeep track, we continued to plant saplings, stopping at Cederhoutkop and Rif to ensure the survival of these precious trees.

We passed Daniel se Gat, where stagnant water gave us a brief moment to freshen up before continuing toward Gabriels Pass. Here, we encountered the most eastern-growing cedars at an altitude of 1,500 meters, though this height brought a colder climate, affecting the trees’ growth.

That night, we arrived at Wolfberg Arch, where we were treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets any of us had ever seen. The sky lit up in hues of orange and pink, casting a magical glow over the towering rock formations. After a long day of hiking and planting, we felt a deep sense of accomplishment as we cleaned up the area, closing two illegal fire pits we had discovered near the arch. This was not just a hike; it was an effort to raise awareness and protect the cedars for future generations.

The Final Morning: A New Dawn

On our last morning, we woke early to watch the sunrise—a fitting end to an unforgettable journey. As the first light of day broke over the horizon, we began our final descent toward the Wolfberg Cracks. Along the way, we encountered our first fellow hikers of the trip, two curious adventurers with whom we shared the story and purpose of our hike.

Before making our way down the wide crack, we planted our last cedar saplings, even though the area was much drier. This was our mission—to create awareness, and we hoped these saplings would inspire others to continue the effort.

The hike ended at Cederberg Cellars, where our friends and family awaited us with a celebratory glass of Cederberg Brut. After 70 kilometers of hiking and planting 100 saplings, we felt both exhausted and elated. The journey was long, but it was a small step toward ensuring that future generations will have the chance to walk beneath the shade of the Clanwilliam Cedar, just as we had done.

• Dawie Burger
• Steven Bekker
• Blake Dyason
• Gerhard & Michelle Thom