The 3rd and 4th October are the weekend of the 75km, non stop hike in aid of the SPCA.

There are 12 walkers, completing the entire distance.

We will begin at Cape Point at 9am on the Saturday morning. The first 14 km will be straight through Cape Point, to the entrance gate. The next 20km, we will follow the main road, through Simons Town, and Fish Hoek to Kalk Bay. Although all along the road, this is a beautiful walk, alongside the coast all the way.

From here into the mountain. From Kalk Bay, we go up the Oukraal Path, and over into Silvermine. Accross Ou Kaapse Weg, and into Silvermine North. Around the side of Constantiaberg, over Vlakkenberg and onto Constantia Nek. (we think we should be here about 4am)

The final 16km, will take us from Constantia Nek, up the mountain, past the dams along Smuts Track to Maclears Beacon. (the highest point on Table Mountain) The last section is the toughest. Down Platteklip gorge. For those familiar with this route, you will know we are going to suffer getting our tired legs down that “unrelenting staircase”

We will be joined at various points along the way, by a variety of dogs and wellwishers. All support is very welcome.

We finish at the bottom of Platteklip.

As a Table Mountain guide, I am often asked which is my favourate route.

Of course this is a nearly impossible question to answer. It depends on so many variables. The time of year, who I am with, how energetic I am feeling etc. However, one walk that I always take immense pleasure in, at any time of year, in any company, and whatever my mood, is the Rookat Ravine, cecelia waterfall route.

This walk, which you can begin either at Cecelia Forest or at Kirstenbosch, can be done in 2 hours, with no stops and a good fast pace. However, it can also be stretched into a good half day hike with plenty of time to enjoy the beauty and peace of the perrenial waterfall, that is the object of this walk.

I prefur to start at Cecelia Forest and follow the river, up to the contour path. From here you carry on up, into the indiginous forest of the lower slopes of the mountain. This initial part of the walk is a steady climb, until 450m, where the path levels out and follows the contour along the mountain. The waterfall is reached after about 15 minutes along this path. A beautiful, tranquil spot. The waterfall itself is about 18m high, and covered with green moss. Several trees grow out of the cliff and hang at perilous angles. During the winter, the water falls in a continuous trickle, forming a curtain, that are wonderfull for the hot hiker. During the summer, this stream slows to a continuous drip. Never drying up completely.

After spening some time, in the shade and peace of this place. The path leads up and out. Down into another gorge, (dry this time) up again, and drops down to rejoin the contour path, above Kirstenbosch.

roikat ravine

During the late winter and spring, whale spotting in the waters around Cape Town becomes a large tourist attraction. It is during these months, (June to November) that the Southern Right whales, return from Antartica, to the South African waters in order to breed.

The scenic drive from Cape Town through Gordons Bay to Hermanus along the coastal road, is famous for having some of the best land based whale watching in the world.

The Southern Right whale, is so named because it is found in the Southern hemisphere, and in the past was the “right” whale to hunt. This was because it was a slow swimmer, and due to the large amounts of blubber, seldom sunk once killed. Due to this extensive hunting, by the early 20^th century, the species was almost driven to extinction.

Luckily, common sense prevailed, and in 1937, a complete ban on right whale hunting was agreed.

Hermanus from the tidal pool

The coastal Town of Hermanus, celebrates the arrival of the whales each year with the “whale festival”

There are only 6 recognized floral kingdoms in the world, and most of these cover huge areas of land. Such as the whole of Australia. Or the Boreal kingdom, which covers virtually the whole of the Northern hemisphere.  We in the Western Cape of South Africa are lucky enough to live in the smallest and most diverse of these kingdoms. The Cape Floral kingdom covers an area from Clanwilliam in the North, to Grahamstown in the East, along a narrow coastal strip. 

With over 2000 species of plant found in the Cape Peninsula alone, we have more species here than are found on the whole of the British isles.

Fynbos, is the major vegetation type, of the Cape Floral kingdom. Of the 7700 plant species found in the Fynbos region, an amazing 70% are endemic. (Found nowhere else in the world). The word Fynbos comes from the Dutch word for fine leaved plant. Although there are many different species of plant found in the region, the 3 most commonly recognized, are: The protea, (Proteaceae). The Erica (Ericaceae) and The Restios’s, (Restionaceae).

Two environmental factors are essential to this type of vegetation. One is the hot, dry summers,  that the plants must be able to survive. Proteas do this through long roots reaching deep into the water table, whilst  Ericas and restios, shut down in the dry season. The second important factor is fire. Without fire, the fynbos would be replaced by forest.,

Fynbos plants have a number of ways survive fires. From underground stems, to the germination of seeds actually being cued by fires.

However, despite such adaptations, many of the fynbos species are under threat of extinction in the present day. Threats include, urban development, and the invasion by alien plant species.

Every day, a different story, from Maclears Beacon.
Here 2 tourists celebrate their successful ascent of Platteklip Gorge.
Although a beautiful warm and clear day. The approaching cold front evidenced by the ominous clouds

A common sight at the traffic lights of Cape Town, are the flower sellers, with arms full of the striking Arum Lilly. Easily recognized by its large white flower, the Arum Lilly belongs to neither the Arum, nor the Lillia genus. It belongs to the family Araceae and the genus zantedeschia. The genus is restricted to the African continent where 7 different species are recognized.
The common white Arum is widespread throughout South Africa, in marshy areas. The plant is able to change its lifecycle depending on habitat. In the Western Cape, it is generally dormant in winter.
Flowering in early August and throughout the early summer, it adds much beauty to the marshy areas of Table mountain.

The rare Arum frog makes its home in the Arum lilly flower. Although widespread throughout the South and Southwestern Cape, the frog is endangered through the loss of habitat. The main loss occurs through urbanization, although the uncontrolled picking of the Arum lilly must also effect their distribution.

The photos below were taken on the Constantia Greenbelt. On the lower slopes of Table Mountain.

Walk from Kirstenbosch Gardens

to Maclears Beacon, on Table

Mountains most classic hiking

route.

One of the most classic hiking routes on Table mountain, begins with Skeleton and finishes with Platteklip gorge.

 The climb up Skeleton gorge, although steep, is almost entirely shaded by magnificent indigenous trees. Emerging at the top, there are plenty of flat rocks for a well earned rest.

The route then follows Smuts Track. This route named after Jan Smuts, one time president of South Africa who walked this route every day, until well into his mid seventies.

Smuts Track meanders along the top of the mountain, through beautiful fynbos, where during the summer months, you may be lucky enough to see some red disa’s. Then after  a couple of mild rock scrambles, reaches Maclears Beacon. (the highest point on the mountain) Here the 360 degree views of the city, Blouberg, Robbin Island, the Southern suburbs, cape flats and the entire back Table make the walk well worth it.

Finally a flat walk along the flat Table top. And down the steep Platteklip gorge. (or those with tired legs, may take the cable car down)

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/full-day-options/

view of lions head from Judas Peak

This mystical photo was taken early in the morning from Judas Peak on the back Table. The flat top of the main Table is clearly seen on the right, The early morning mist gives the mountain a eerie look.