Cradock Pass is the old way over the Outeniqua mountains, the ox-wagon route that carried everything between George and the interior before the modern passes were cut. It still climbs: 8.4 km graded moderate, at about six hours for the round trip.
It starts from the Outeniqua Nature Reserve at Witfontein above George and goes up and back the same way. Two rules shape the day more than the distance does. CapeNature caps the route at 150 hikers a day, and it does not permit departures after half past eight in the morning. That is not a suggestion about beating the heat, it is the reserve’s own cutoff, and arriving at ten with a full day ahead of you will not get you onto the path.
A permit is required. You can book it through CapeNature ahead of time or buy it at the gate, and Wild Card holders go free. Given the cap and the cutoff, booking ahead is the sensible route, particularly in holiday season.
Treat the six hours as the honest measure and go up with proper shoes, water and a warm layer for the top.
