Closure of the Cecelia forest carpark

The debate around the harvesting of the pine trees in Cecelia Forest has been batted back and forth for a number of years now. Those pro the felling claiming they were planted and due for harvest, spread fire at a faster rate than the indigenous forest and use up more water than the indigenous forest.

Those anti the felling enjoy the shade provided by the mature trees, worry about the wildlife that has made its home amongst the trees and also worry about possible erosion caused as a result of the removal of the trees.

Harvested timber stacked in the carpark

Whichever side of the debate you fall, the trees are going! Many of the trees surrounding the car park have already been felled and from the beginning of February the car park will be closed for the final trees to be removed.

The view from the carpark. Now with trees removed

The Union Ravine hike up Table Mountain

Discover the magic of Table Mountain on a personally guided hike with Ridgway Ramblers.

Union Ravine is the ravine on the Western (city) side of Table mountain between Platteklip Gorge and Yellowstone Gulley. The path although clear at the bottom peters out fairly quickly so you need to follow cairns for much of the way. The route is fairly obvious but there are quite a few small paths and gaps between the cairns where you can lose the way especially if the clouds move in. Otherwise it is a fairly simple route with little in the way of scrambling.

To get there park at the bottom of Platteklip gorge and start up the Platteklip Gorge trail. When you get to the contour path turn right and head along the path for about 20 minutes until you reach the Union Cave. This is a smaller version of the Woodstock cave, but is really little more than an overhang. During the winter it can be pretty wet following the path accross the cave.

The contour path passes right across the front of Union Cave

The path to Union Ravine leads straight off the contour path as you get to this cave. It is steep and rocky initially but very clear.

The path leading off the contour path

Once the path peters out you need to keep a sharp eye out for small rocky cairns leading you up the gorge. Be carefull not to follow the route that begins to lead you more to the right and into Yellowstone gulley as this leads into the right arrow face traverse across the face of the mountain.

For most of the route you follow rocky cairns on a vague path

Your route continues up the gorge and over the top of Platteklip buttress. You then join with the Platteklip Gorge path about 20 minutes from the top.

Looking down Union Ravine from Platteklip Buttress

A guided hike with a qualified Table Mountain Guide

Discover the wonders of Table Mountain on a personally guided hike with Ridgway Ramblers.

There are a number of reasons to join a guided hike on Table Mountain. A few of these reasons being; Safety, to get off the beaten track, for information on the flora/fauna/history etc.

If you do choose to go on a guided hike, it is important to check the guide is properly qualified and registered.

In order to guide hikes on Table Mountain a guide needs to be qualified by the “Mountaineering Development and Training Trust” (MDT) The MDT was established in 1994 and has developed a training programme based on International standards and precedent. Candidates undergo training in a number of modules including: Navigation, The environment, hazards and risk minimisation, first aid, emergencies, group maintenace etc.

Each individual is then assessed both theoretically and practically. Once qualified a guide is required to register with the provincial authority as a tour guide.

Ridgway Ramblers will only use qualified and registered mountain guides. This way your safety is ensured.

Schools hiking on Table Mountain

The subject “Life Orientation” which is taught as part of the National Curriculum is an interdisciplinary subject. It is designed to be taught alongside scientific and technical subjects with the aim of providing children with the necessary skills, values and attitudes that will enable them to live as decent, law abiding, compassionate and peace loving human beings.   

Ridgway Ramblers has developed a number of products that can be incorporated into a schools curriculum as part of their Life Orientation class.

One of the most popular involves a days outing to the Silvermine Nature Reserve. Here the students are divided into teams and have to find their way using map reading skills to the Elephants eye Cave overlooking the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.

Enjoying the view from Silvermine Nature Reserve

After a break at the cave, the students (still in their teams)  follow a series of clues to find a number of items hidden around the area. Finally the teams need to use the items they have found in order to complete a specific task  

A treasure hunt team in action

 This is a fun filled day in which such technical skills as map reading are learned. In addition the students are required to work as a team in order to solve problems and complete instructions.

Teams completing the final challenge

A full day combo hike on Table Mountain

Two of the most popular things to do whilst in Cape Town are a trip to the top of Table Mountain and a visit to Kirstenbosch Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain. Many people select a full day hike from Kirstenbosch to the Table top. This is a wonderful hike that includes both highlights. However not everyone is energetic enough for a full day on the mountain. And if the South Easter is blowing strong enough to close the cable car the descent of Platteklip gorge at the end of the hike can be a challenge for even the strongest of legs. 

With these facts in mind, Ridgway Ramblers have put together a full day hike that includes both highlights but is a bit easier on the legs!

The morning is spent in the ascent of Table Mountain via the beautiful Platteklip Gorge. The is one of the most popular routes up the city side of Table Mountain and takes you to within 15 minutes of the cable car. Most people will make the ascent within 2 to 3 hours.

The magnificent Platteklip Gorge offers one of the quickest routes to the main Table Top

From the top you can choose between a further hours walk to Maclears Beacon (the highest point on the mountain) or go straight to the cable way area with the classic Table Mountain views over the city, Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles.  Descend via the cable car or Platteklip Gorge. (The South East wind often picks up during the day, hence if a South East is forecast there is a greater chance of the cable car being open in the morning.)

Enjoying the view from Table Mountain

Once back at sea level, Ridgway Ramblers will transfer you to Kirstenbosch Gardens. This magnificent botanical garden is found half an hours drive away on the Southern Suburbs side of the mountain. After a picnic lunch on the luscious lawns we explore the gardens and slopes of the mountain. Here there is somethng to interest everyone. From Lady Barnards bird bath, to the natural remedy or fragrence gardens to the cycads.  A gentle stroll or a more energetic walk to the contour path are options here.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beautiful lawns of Kirstenbosch Gardens

A guided hike to find the Red Disa

Discover Table Mountain with a personally guided hike with Ridgway Ramblers.

The Red Disa or “Pride of Table Mountain” is a beautiful orchid that is the representative flower on the Western Cape. It is found in damp areas and stream beds on The Table Mountain National Park from late January through to March.

The pride of Table Mountain

I found the first Disa of the season yesterday in Skeleton Gorge. Right beside the path and absolutely perfect. There were none in window gorge yet but I did see a bud in the Aquaduct last week so would expect they are flowering there already.

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a guided hike to see as many of these wonderful plants as possible whilst they are in flower.

The Blister Bush of Table Mountain

I am not sure which plants might be poisonous if you were to eat them!, but apart from the odd prickly bush, the only indigenous plant to really be aware of on Table Mountain is the blister bush ( Peucedanum galbanum) or mountain celery. This interesting plant I have recently discovered could just be racist… amazingly it apparently only effects white people! Some friends of mine from Hout Bay regularly pick the plant and use it in tea to treat bladder infections and were extremely surprised to hear me warning people away from it.

The blister bush of Table Mountain

One of the confusing aspects of this plant is that it only causes a blister in very specific conditions. These being that the leaf must be damaged and the sunlight must be bright. If you accidentally brush against the plant and then cover the skin to exclude light it does not affect the skin.

The blister bush flower

If you do happen to touch a damaged leaf and leave the skin in the sunlight, the area will become itchy for about 24 hours, after which time a water blister will appear. This remains for a day or 2 before disappearing. The skin remains scarred for some time but after a few months clears up completely.

So whilst a major panic on sighting a blister bush is not necessary, it is worth keeping an eye out for it on a sunny day!

The Woodhead Tunnel on Table Mountain

The Woodhead Tunnel is a 640 metre tunnel that goes right through Table Mountain between Orange Kloof and Slangholie Ravine. It was built between 1888 and 1891 in order to divert the water from the Disa river to the Pipe Track and hence to the Molteno reservoir in Cape Town.

Although it has been out of use for some time parts of the Molteno tunnel can still be seen. The entrance is found in Orange Kloof and is not barred.

Climbing out of the Woodhead Tunnel in Orangekloof

Once inside the tunnel is about 1.5 metres high and once you have taken a few paces inside pitch dark. I have heard of people who have explored far into the tunnel but I have usually exited fairly quickly. Even with a torch you bang your head at regular intervals on the uneven roof above.

Inside the Woodhead Tunnel

 The other end of the tunnel at Slangholie ravine is blocked. This is sensible as this end of the tunnel is visible from the Pipe Track so visited by far more people.

The Tunnel exits the mountain at Slangholie Ravine

The presence of this tunnel and the reservoirs on Table Mountain which were built shortly afterwards give fascinating insight into the history of Table Mountain and of Cape Town.

A less strenuous walk on Table Mountain

There are so many walks you could do on Table Mountain if you are looking for a gentle mornings ramble. My favourite is the Elephants Eye cave and Noordhoek lookout point in Silvermine Nature Reserve. From the car park at the Silvermine reservoir the hike to the Elephants Eye cave should take you around an hour. (2 hour return) You can then extend this hike to include the lookout point which should add an extra hour. So in all a total of +/- 3 hours walking. You will also need to allow for at least a 15 minute at both the cave and at the lookout point so lets say 3.5 to 4 hours for the entire walk. Although there are some uphills it is not a very strenuous hike. From the parking area you climb initially 200m to the cave. Then drop down 30m back to the jeep track. From here it a further gentle 50m climb to the lookout point. For your efforts you can enjoy views of both oceans, see a magnificent cave, and enjoy some of the best fynbos in the cape.

 The parking area at the Silvemine dam you head NW and follw the jeeptrack towards the Constantiaberg. After about a km you reach a junction and take a left turn up the hill. After 200m take a steep shortcut that cuts out a long loop on the road. At the top of the shortcut you rejoin the jeeptrack for 10m before taking a path to the right that will take you to the lookout hut. The path is relatively flat for 15 minutes and then climbs for a short distance to the lookout hut which is at a height of 550m. The views from this spot are wonderful. You can see the entire Southern suburbs, and over the Muizenberg mountains towards Simons Town.

The view from Elephants Eye cave. The lookout hut is in the foreground

From here you follow the path a further 50m uphill to the cave. The cave  is a magical place that stretches back some 20m with a high roof lined with ferns and greenery. It doesn’t stretch the imagination too far to think of Merlin making a home there in centuries past.

Inside the cave

After a break in the cave you retrace your steps back to just below the lookout hut and take the upper track back towards the main jeeptrack. Don’t get back onto the path you took to get here unless you are going directly back to your car.

The upper track rejoins the main jeep track after a km. Turn right at the junction and continue for small way up the hill. (beware of speeding cyclists on this section of the road. Most are considerate and cycle slowly but keep your eyes open) After 15 minutes the road takes a sweeping curve to the left. You join a small path that keeps straight ahead. 20 minutes on this path brings you to the lookout point. Here there is a deck and benches so you can relax and soak it up. Below you is Hout Bay and Chapmans Peak.

To return you retrace your steps to the jeeptrack and follow it back to your car.

A walk on Table Mountain to a beautiful grotto.

The Valley of the Red Gods path on Table Mountain leads from the 12 Apostles path through the Valley of isolation to Echo Valley. To get there you can climb up either Diagonal Path or Kasteelspoort. Once at the top of either route you turn left and head North towards the cable car.

From the top of Kasteelspoort the path climbs gently initially following a small stream. The Diagonal path joins this path after about 20 minutes. From here the path turns right. You head up more steeply and after around 15 minutes climbing find yourself heading down into an enclosed valley with tall proteas on either side. This is the valley of isolation and indeed it does seem an isolated area.

The Valley of Isolation

 Once in the valley look for a small path that leads to your right. It leads down and into a beautiful little grotto. Tall grass hides the entrance to passers by. Once inside there is usually a trickle of water dripping from the roof and the fynbos roots which penetrate the cave there. Although small, during the  summer this cave can be a very welcome cool respite from the sun.

The entrance to the small cave

Once you have explored the cave return to the path. It leads you alongside the steep cliffs of the valley and up quite steeply to a height of 900m. Here before you drop down to Echo Valley it is well worth a break to look at the views. 

The view looking North towards the cable car

 You join the Echo Valley at the top of Blinkwater ravine. From here you can headd straight up towards the cable car, or turn left and follow Echo Valley from where a multitude of routes are yours to choose from.