Backpackers
Self catering Backpackers, R600 per room per night, bedding and towels not provided.
Situated at reception area where the Leopard trail starts and finishes, this is the perfect base to book for the night before and the night after you hike. The Backpackers consists of three separate rooms each with their own entrance. Each room has 4 single beds, solar power for lights and charging electronic devices, and a safe for valuables.
There is one communal bathroom with toilets and hot gas showers. There is a large, well equipped shared kitchen with gas fridge/freezer, gas stove top, hot running water and wash facilities. Connected to the kitchen is a covered veranda with a portable braai as well as a fire pit.
The rate is R600 per room per night – please bring your own sleeping bags, bedding and towels.
You can find relief on hot days in the large cement reservoir swimming pool that is available to all guests at Cedar Falls, fed by clear, fresh water from the mountain stream.
Please note that as we are in a World Heritage Site, we are unable to accommodate pets.
Check in is anytime from 3pm onwards, and check out by 9am. Guests are welcome to arrive earlier and leave later if you want to do walks, however please ensure you are out of your accommodation so that our team can start cleaning for the next guests.
Other Accommodation Options at Cedar Falls
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Another 5 Star review from one of SA’s top hiking websites
Along with some really great photo’s, Hiking South Africa had some very cool things to say about the Leopard Trail. We are committed to making this one of the top multi day slack packing hikes in SA, and it feels great when others are say we are getting it right.
Here is some of the things they said, or you can read the full article here.
“The pristine nature and diversity of this landscape and its flora, especially during springtime, is an absolute treat. The Leopard Trail should by high on every fit hiker’s bucket list.”
“We had the privilege of hiking the trail a few weeks into spring and the combination of mild weather and flowering fynbos made for a wonderful experience.”
“All the campsites are beautifully laid out, with stones lining the paths and designated tent sites. The convenience of a communal “kitchen tent” and an outhouse with a flush-toilet is a real treat in such an otherwise pristine and wild setting.”
“A beautifully diverse and well laid out trail that winds its way through a unique and ancient landscape. The Baviaanskloof is a special place and the Leopard Trail takes one through some of its gems. This trail is a must-do for any fit hiker and I will certainly be doing it again.”
Thanks to and the team at Hiking South Africa for the great review and photos.
The complete guide to the Leopard Trail by No Speed Limit
Well known hiking blog site No Speed Limit describe themselves as “a couple on foot… and their dog.”
Leaving their dog behind on this occasion, they brought a group to try out the Leopard trail. Their review provides a VERY comprehensive guide to the leopard trail. This is from their introduction:
“It is difficult to rate all the hikes we have been done because some of them of very different and each has its own unique memories and experiences. That being said, you are going to find it difficult to top this hike. It has everything you could possibly want in a hike and more. It’s a perfect starting hike for those wanting to ease from slackpacking into full-blown multi-day hiking. The rugged beauty of this part of the country is unsurpassed, and it certainly is both a challenge and an adventure.
This is a great trail to ease you into multi-day hiking, because it has the element of slack-packing combined with the ‘roughing it’ style of sleeping in tents, outdoor (cold!) showers and navigating by head-lamp when the sun goes down. Each day of the trail has its own unique terrain, views and challenges. Depending on the time of year you visit this trail, you may need to contend with high temperatures, so you will need to plan your starting times accordingly each day. Don’t rush this trail. There is SO much to see along the way. You will need time for resting on the uphills (they are long and tough in the heat), taking in the views of the huge expanse of mountains, the beautiful flowers and enjoying the river along much of the route.
This trail is a great training hike if you are planning on doing the Fish River Canyon. Although much more green, the Leopard Trail boasts a very similar terrain to the Fish, and the long, hot days will be excellent preparation. You will also (quickly) learn the art of picking the perfect camping spot, setting up a tent on uneven ground in the fading light, and facing the dilemma of smelling clean and fresh vs putting your tired body into icy cold water just to get clean.
The trail itself is well marked, and the facilities at each campsite are more than adequate. Although initially a little skeptical, this method of slack-packing certainly has its perks. It was VERY nice having vegetables with dinner every night, instead of having to whip out the little gas stove and cook our dry, light-weight food that we usually pack for other multi-day hikes.
It is great to know that there is a local hike that includes so many varied aspects of multi-day hiking. It is definitely worth booking this route. We wouldn’t recommend it for children, but teenagers who are regular multi-day hikers would enjoy it. Whoever you are, you need to be fit and able to handle the heat. Don’t go if you can’t be without your cell phone or electricity to charge your devices. We recommend that you take all the available detours on this hike. They don’t add much in terms of distance, but a HUGE amount to the overall enjoyment factor.
Lastly – you ABSOLUTELY MUST do the day hike to Cedar Falls. We recommend doing it as a ‘Day 5’ of the Leopard Trail. Book the Hiker’s Hut for the night you return to base camp and then head off on this spectacular day hike adventure on your last day. It is phenomenal.”
Garden Route Trail provides a great guide to walking the Leopard Trail
A great local blog site, Garden Route Trails took a group on the Leopard Trail and produced a guide to walking the trail. This from their introduction:
” One of the last true wilderness areas in South Africa is undisputedly the Baviaanskloof, a series of folded mountains, canyons and valleys between Willomore and Patensie in the Eastern Cape. It is a botanical wonderland that transforms from Karoo through Fynbos and into pockets of Afro-Montane forest with hints of Spekboom along an east west axis.
The Baviaans is a landscape that begs to be hiked and thankfully the Leopard Trail provides a 4 day route to indulge avid hikers and explorers.
Based on the western side of the Baviaankloof, the Leopard Trail is a looped 62km slackpacking trail traversing folded mountains and following canyons. But don’t let the slackpacking aspect lure you into believing that this is an easy trail.”
Diana’s group, September 2018
Stephen, September 2018
Thank you so much for all your assistance for our trip. What an amazing experience we had. Staff were friendly and helpful, and Willem was kind enough to give us a lift to camp 3 when I twisted my ankle up Honeybush hill. Amazing facilities, and the camps were beautifully situated. The only downside was having to pack tents up before the sun hit the camp, so they were wet when packed. Otherwise, there was enough water for us, the trail was always clearly marked so no chance of getting lost, and having a stocked camp was always a plus. Just something to mention though, and I’m sure it’s common place in areas like this, but there were plenty of tics on the trail. Wearing long pants is definitely a must in this situation.
Sadly we didn’t see any leopard, but did see their prints in a few areas. Wished we could have seen more wildlife, but when you traverse an area this big, I suppose you have to be quite lucky to spot something. Thanks again. Really amazing place.
Cornelia, August 2018
We had a lovely hike. Cold but we enjoyed every moment.
Trail was well kept and markings also very good.
We did create a lot of memories!!
Thank you