Members are advised that almost the entire Breekkrants was burnt during the fires in the area in December 2025. Whilst the property is not formally closed, members are advised not to visit as the veld is sensitive whilst it recovers and it will be not be a pleasant trip. Queries can be directed to the convenor, Freda Walters, (details below). Also see: capenature.co.za/cederberg-fire-recovery-and-visitor-access.
The Breekkrants wilderness in the southern Cederberg invites exploration of vlaktes, caves and rock formations. The property is traversed by the perennial Breekkrants River that flows south-eastward between the Kromrivier ridge to the north and the Breekkrants ridge to the south. Breekkrants offers great back country hiking, peak bagging and relaxing camping.
It can be extremely hot at times, and shade is often hard to find.
Property
Some of the peaks on or near Breekkrants include Apex, Breekkrants Twins, Moorreespiek, Bosmanpiek, Apollo, Murraysberg and Winterbach. Other interesting features on the property include the Breek itself (the ‘broken cliff’ opposite Bakmakersfontein), Goldfinger and many arches. The historical Ou Kaapse Pad between Kromrivier and Suurvlakte offers a satisfying 18km hike entirely on Club property. The abandoned farming settlement, Bakmakersfontein, has a perennial spring and although the original shelter was burnt in 1998, camping is still possible there.
History
The Cape Town Section bought Breekkrants in 1983. It is one of 20 properties in the southern Cederberg that together created the Cederberg Conservancy in 1997, adjacent to the declared Cederberg Wilderness Area.
| Where | Southern Cederberg |
| Drive time | 4 hours from Cape Town |
| Walk-in time | 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes from Kromrivier Farm to Bakmakersfontein, or from Suurvlakte to Apex Peak |
| Activities | Wilderness off-trail hiking, rock climbing and camping |
| Size | 4 057ha |
| Ownership/ management |
Cape Town Section |
| Maps | 1:50 000 – 3219CA Citrusdal and 3219CB Grootrivier Peter Slingsby’s ‘Hike the Cederberg – Southern Section’ (1:40 000) includes full details of Breekkrants, the surrounds and access. Hand-drawn maps of the northern and southern Cederberg are available at the MCSA clubhouse. These sketch maps are for orientation only. Please use good topographical maps when exploring the property. |
| Permit | To access Breekkrants:
From Kromrivier, with effect December 2023, members must complete a permit which can be obtained in the “Getting There” section below (login required). For access via Suurvlakte, you need a permit from the Club office and must pay the required fee to use the road up to the Suurvlakte |
| Biodiversity | Breekkrants on iNaturalist |
