Cedarberg Maltese Cross hike — distance from Algeria Campsite and highlights
Everything you need to know about this one, based on 4 personal experiences.
Distance / Duration: 10km return day hike. Grade: Moderate.
Booking: CapeNature permit required — book at capenature.co.za. Algeria Campsite is the base for most hikes.. Do not leave this to the last minute — popular dates go many months ahead.
The trail: The Maltese Cross is 9km return from Algeria and takes 4–5 hours. The rock formations in the Cedarberg are extraordinary — Cederite sandstone weathered into shapes that look engineered. Wolfberg Arch is a longer route and arguably more impressive.
What to carry: Minimum 3L water per person between refill points. A proper waterproof — weather changes fast in the mountains. Headlamp even on a day hike. High-energy snacks. If you are going multi-day, a lightweight sleeping bag rated to -5°C handles most SA mountain conditions year-round.
Safety: A Garmin inReach Mini or SPOT tracker is strongly recommended for any route where you will be out of cell signal. Mountain Rescue does charge for private rescues — travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation is worth having.
Best time: Winter is spectacular but prepare for cold — sub-zero nights are normal on the escarpment.
Questions welcome — happy to share more detail on any section of this route.
6 Replies
Did you do it in summer or winter? I am planning a June trip and keen to know what the conditions are like. Specifically the river crossing levels.
Did you do it in summer or winter? I am planning a July trip and keen to know what the conditions are like. Specifically the visibility from the top.
Everything you need to know about this one, based on 4 personal experiences.
Distance / Duration: 10km return day hike. Grade: Moderate.
Booking: CapeNature permit required — book at capenature.co.za. Algeria Campsite is the base for most hikes.. Do not leave this to the last minute — popular dates go many months ahead.
The trail: The Maltese Cross is 9km return from Algeria and takes 4–5 hours. The rock formations in the Cedarberg are extraordinary — Cederite sandstone weathered into shapes that look engineered. Wolfberg Arch is a longer route and arguably more impressive.
What to carry: Minimum 3L water per person between refill points. A proper waterproof — weather changes fast in the mountains. Headlamp even on a day hike. High-energy snacks. If you are going multi-day, a lightweight sleeping bag rated to -5°C handles most SA mountain conditions year-round.
Safety: A Garmin inReach Mini or SPOT tracker is strongly recommended for any route where you will be out of cell signal. Mountain Rescue does charge for private rescues — travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation is worth having.
Best time: Winter is spectacular but prepare for cold — sub-zero nights are normal on the escarpment.
Questions welcome — happy to share more detail on any section of this route.
— kobus_bosman
Solo hiking safety: a Garmin inReach Mini is the standard now for any serious mountain hiking in SA. R8,000 device plus satellite subscription. Mountain Rescue charges for private rescues and helicopter evacuation is expensive. The inReach is cheap insurance.
> Everything you need to know about this one, based on 4 personal experiences.
>
> Distance / Duration: 10km return day hike. Grade: Moderate.
>
> Booking: CapeNature permit required — book at capenature.co.za. Algeria Campsite is the base for most hikes.. Do not leave this to the last minute — popular dates go many months ahead.
>
> The trail: The Maltese Cross is 9km return from Algeria and takes 4–5 hours. The rock formations in the Cedarberg are extraordinary — Cederite sandstone weathered into shapes that look engineered. Wolfberg Arch is a longer route and arguably more impressive.
>
> What to carry: Minimum 3L water per person between refill points. A proper waterproof — weather changes fast in the mountains. Headlamp even on a day hike. High-energy snacks. If you are going multi-day, a lightweight sleeping bag rated to -5°C handles most SA mountain conditions year-round.
>
> Safety: A Garmin inReach Mini or SPOT tracker is strongly recommended for any route where you will be out of cell signal. Mountain Rescue does charge for private rescues — travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation is worth having.
>
> Best time: Winter is spectacular but prepare for cold — sub-zero nights are normal on the escarpment.
>
> Questions welcome — happy to share more detail on any section of this route.
> — kobus_bosman
Solo hiking safety: a Garmin inReach Mini is the standard now for any serious mountain hiking in SA. R8,000 device plus satellite subscription. Mountain Rescue charges for private rescues and helicopter evacuation is expensive. The inReach is cheap insurance.
— christo_baard
On the kit — I have done this route twice and the one thing most people over-pack is clothing. Take one extra layer beyond what you think you need and cut everything else. On the other hand, do not skimp on the sleeping bag — a 0°C rated bag is the minimum for the Drakensberg in any season.
Did you do it in summer or winter? I am planning a June trip and keen to know what the conditions are like. Specifically the river crossing levels.
— jannie_swanepoel
On the kit — I have done this route twice and the one thing most people over-pack is clothing. Take one extra layer beyond what you think you need and cut everything else. On the other hand, do not skimp on the sleeping bag — a 0°C rated bag is the minimum for the Drakensberg in any season.
Solo hiking safety: a Garmin inReach Mini is the standard now for any serious mountain hiking in SA. R7,000 device plus satellite subscription. Mountain Rescue charges for private rescues and helicopter evacuation is expensive. The inReach is cheap insurance.