Cape Point hiking trails

The Cape of Good Hope is found an hours drive from the centre of Cape Town at the tip of the Cape Peninsula. A wild and lonely area it holds some of the most magnificent hiking in the world. With ship wrecks, sheer cliffs and a variety of wildlife to add further interest to a walk,  it really is well worth getting off the beaten track and exploring some of the many trails found in the area.

The Cape Point 2 day trail  

The Cape Point 2 day hike is without a doubt the best way to explore the area. On day 1 you follow the False Bay side of the Cape and then on day 2 the Atlantic side. The 2 days are entirely different with day 1 being along cliff tops with steep drops into the sea below, whilst on day 2 much of the day is spent following the beach.

Day 1 follows the cliffs of the False Bay coast

Both days are quite strenuous. Day 1 is considerable shorter but the terrain much harder. On day 2 you travel 20km so don’t be fooled by the lack of gradient.

Hiking along the beach on day 2 of the Cape Point hike

The overnight huts are basic. But comfortable and well equipped. Nothing can beat watching the sun go down on one side of your hut and rising again on the other side the following morning.  

The False Bay scenic walk

For those without 2 days to spare the False Bay scenic walk is magnificent. This follows the overnight trail for the first 5km as far as Kanonkop. (This is an out and back route) The route is relatively demanding as the path meanders up and down quite steeply around the back of Judas and Paulsberg peaks.

False Bay scenic walk

The highlight of this walk is reaching Kanonkop itself. Here you will find a cannon perched on the hill that dates back to the early British occuption of the Cape and was used to signal Simons Town when ships arrived in False Bay.

Vasco Da Gama Peak

Staying on the False Bay side of Cape Point the hike along Vasco Da Gama peak is a short but extremely satisfying hike. It starts at the main parking area at Cape Point itself and heads back North. Initially the path is quite steep with some very easy scrambling. Once at the top the path leads around the back of the peak before descending to the Rooikrans parking area. This route takes an hour one way. So you can either retrace your route, or get someone to drive around and pick you up.

Vasco Da Gama Peak

Gifkometjie Beach

Th Atlantic side of the Cape Point Reserve is characerised by wide expanses of beautiful, harsh and deserted beaches. Gifkometjie beach is just one of these and is found about 6km from the entrance gate. From the parking area there are a couple of possible routes.

1. Gifkommetjie to Platboom beach

Platboom beach is found 3km South of Gifkommetjie beach. From the parking area you descend some steep steps and follow a clear path along a wetland area for about 15 minutes. At the end of the path you find yourself on a rocky beach with kelp beds and rock pools surrounding you. To find your way to Platboom you follow the coast to the beautiful Platboom beach recognisable by its vast expanse of empty white sand. (either retrace your steps or get someone to pick you up at the Platboom parking area)

Platboom Beach lookng towards Cape Point

2. Gifkommetjie to Hoek van Bobbejan

This trail takes you North from Gifkommetjie and along a clear path to Hoek Van Bobbejan. This is a +/-6km circular route. The path is hard to find at times as it leads through dense coastal thickets. After about 3km you come to a junction. Only those with permits can continue straight on as the area directly North is a restricted part of the reserve. You may however turn left towards the coast. The path takes you directly to the Hoek where you can see the wreck of the Phylissia where it ran aground in 1968.

Gifkommetjie beach

To return follow the path back to the juction and follow the 3rd path up the slope. This leads to a ridge and takes you directly to the car park.

Sirkelsvlei

Sirkelsvlei is the largest freshbody of water in the area covering some 6 hectares. It has a maximum depth of 1.6 metres so is generally quite warm for anyone wanting a dip. Although there is no obvious inflow to the vlei  rarely dries up as it is filled by underground aquafers.

The easiest route to Sirkelsvlei is from the link road to Olifantsbos. Park after +/- 2km where a small dirt road joins the link road. About .5km back towards he main road you find a small path leading off into the fynbos. Follow this path for about an hour and you will reach the vlei. (return the same way)

The largest freshwater body in Cape Point. Sirklesvlei

An alternative circular and longer route to the vlei starts in the Olifantsbos parking area. The hike starts on the road side of the boom. After a steep ascent the path leads through the fynbos and past some quite amazing rock formations for about 1.5 hours to the vlei itself. Once at the vlei take the left fork. The path now follows the Southern side of the vlei before heading back to the carpark. Parts of the path are quite stony and difficult to navigate in some areas.

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/walks-at-cape-point/

Walk on Table Mountain as a

training hike for Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro, which is the highest mountain in Africa was first climbed in 1883 by a German geology professer called Hans Meyer. Since then the mountain has been summitted by literally thousands of people looking for the adventure and experience of a lifetime. The reason Kilimanjaro fullfills the dream of so many, is that no special equipment or skill is required to reach the top. You do, of course need to be relatively fit and very determined. But with these resources many people find the summit achievable.

Testing out new equipment on Table Mountain

South Africa is used by many as a base for their adventure. Both in order to enjoy the many game parks and other natural wonders that are found in South Africa. But also to do a training hike on that other famous African mountain. Table Mountain.  Table Mountain towers majestically over the city of Cape Town and although it can offer no altitude training, its steep sides offer a good work out for anyone with Kilimanjaro in their sights.

Made it to the top of Kilimanjaro

A day hike in Cape Point

Hiking in Cape Point is a fantastic way to experience the most Southerly tip of the Cape Peninsula and the most Southwestern tip of Africa. Although there are plenty of trails to choose from, the best includes a combination of beach, cliff and mountain hiking.

You start the trail at Platboom beach. Here the wide expanse of white sand, turquoise ocean and blue sky offer an idyllic start to your day. The first hour of the hike follows a small trail through the dunes towards Cape Point. In many places you can choose between walking on the beach, hopping from rock to rock or following the trail though the fynbos.

Looking back towards Platboom beach

The path leading up the cliffs away from the carpark

The next hour of the hike takes you along the cliffs towards Cape Point itself. This is the busiest section of your walk today but considering the number of people who visit Cape Point it is amazing how few take the opportunity to follow this trail. The views are spectacular and looking over the cliffs down onto the nesting birds totally awe inspiring.

 

Looking along the cliffs towards Cape Point

Cape Point itself is a very touristy area, but it is worth following the crowds up to the old lighthouse and then along the cliff path to look at the new lighthouse. It is crowded but the views and history are amazing.

 

The old lighthouse

Next you head away from the carpark and up Da Gama peak. The next hour is the steepest climb of the day. Within moments you are away from the crowds and cannot help but compare how different this side of the point is to the other. Now alongside False Bay there are far fewer beaches and small hills rather than beaches line the shore. The fynbos is thicker with some trees and as always the views are the best.

 

The highest point of your hike in Cape Point

The path now leads you back down to sea level and begins to take you back towards the West coast where it rejoins the path you followed thismornking for the last 20 minutes back to Platboom.

 

Escape the crowds on a guided hike of Cape Point with Ridgway Ramblers.

Hike up the Helderberg mountain

The Helderberg Mountain are found in the Western Cape of South Africa in the town of Somerset West.  The mountain stands alone with 3 distinct peaks in the middle of the town. Clearly seen from the top of Table Mountain it offers some wonderful hiking with some of the best views of the area.

Somerset West is found an hours drive from Cape Town along the N2. Once in Somerset West the best place to begin hiking is in the Helderberg Nature Reserve. The reserve is found on the slopes of the mountain and has a sort of botanical gardens feel to it. Lots of picnic places, ponds and birds. To get onto the mountain you just head towards it. There is a myriad of pretty little trails that eventually get you the gate and start of most of the hikes. (note: no dogs allowed here)

The Helderberg Mountain with 3 clear peaks. The Dome is the one on the right

On the shoulder of West Peak.

Once on the shoulder you can either go left and up West Peak, or right and take the longer and more challenging route up the Dome. The path to the Dome is quite clear.It now leads you around the Cape Town side of the mountain on a traverse above Stellenbosch. The views are amazing. The path remains quite clear for about 40 minutes until you reach a cairn and the path disapears. Here you head up the steep erosion path to the next level. The path is rocky and tricky in places but after about 30 minutes you reach the neck, and cannot not be amazed by the sheer cliffs towering in front of you.

 

The view of False Bay and Table Mountain from the Helderberg

Here again the path seems to disappear. Keep going though and it leads around a corner and begins a very steep ascent up. It is not difficult although you definitely do need to be prepared to scramble in a couple of places. At the top you may well be fooled into thinking you are at the top of the Dome. However you still spend another half an hour hiking along the spine of the Dome to the highest point. This is where the path is the least well marked due to large boulders littered all over the area. There are cairns so if you keep your eyes open you should be fine. (if visibility is not good make sure you keep an eye on where you have come from so you can find your way back)

 

Sheltering from the wind at the top of the Helderberg

Getting to the top should take you around 4 hours if you maintain a good pace. So start early.

 

Ridgway Ramblers offer a variety of guided hikes in the Cape Town area. Join them to see the best the Cape has to offer.

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/other-hikes-in-the-western-cape/

 

A hiking trail with a difference 

The Western Cape of South Africa has so many beautiful hiking trails. This is one of my favourites

The Western Cape of South Africa has so many beautiful hiking trails that it is almost impossible to choose a favourite. However this one is definitely among my top 5. It is a very isolated trail with absolutely no facilities. Therefore although most people take 5 days to complete the hike you may choose to rush through it in 3 or 4 days if you are limited for time.

The first section of this trail is up an incredibly steep trail outside Ceres. At this stage you are carrying your full pack with food and camping equipment for 5 days so it is a tough beginning. I recommend starting either very early or later in the afternoon so as to avoid climbing in the full heat of the day. If you start late you can sleep at the top and descend into the gorge the next day. I prefer to start early and drop down into the gorge all in one day. This is tough but worth it as the rest of the hike is then more relaxed for time.

Resting after the first climb.

Once into the gorge there is no path as such to follow. You follow the river! Hence a lot of rock hopping is required. With the full pack on your back this is tough and bear in mind the isolation. You do not want to twist an ankle in here! I usually start off very carefully but by the end of the hike have more confidence and am bounding from boulder to boulder.

The drop into the gorge

But the really outstanding feature of this hike is the places where there are no boulders and the gorge sides to steep to climb. These are the compulsory swims! I have tried a variety of ways to waterproof my backpack. From taking an inflatable childrens crocodile to wrapping the bag in a pvc bag specially made for the hike. The best method though is simple dry bags for all your gear inside the pack and just get the pack wet. Trying to keep the pack dry seems to be more effort that its worth and takes the pleasure out of the swims.

One of the many compulsory swims on the trail

Campsites are small sandy areas found along the rivers edge. You may sleep where ever you like but there are limited areas with space for more that one person so you do find most campsites used regularly by groups. As permits are limited and the trail only hikeable in the summer there is very little litter or mess.  

Campsites are small sandy patches on the rivers edge

The last day is a different kind of tough as the river has been inundated with alien vegetation so you have the choice of fighting your way along the bank or wading/paddling through the river. This section of the river is shallow and rocky so it is slow going if you choose the river.

This hiking trail is tough as there is no clear path and no facilities. However the natural beauty and pristine environment are truly magnificent. It runs through private land and the owners limit permits carfeully to ensure the integrity of the area is maintained. Of all hiking trails in the the Western Cape of South Africa this one definitely qualifies as one of the best.

One of the many waterfalls on this trail

Hiking in South Africa’s winelands

Victoria Peak is found in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve just outside the town of Stellenbosch about an hours drive from Cape Town. The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve contains numerous peaks and wonderful hikes. Victoria Peak at 1589m is one of the highest in area, has some outstanding views and is one of the best hikes in the Westen Cape when we’ve had some snow. (not every year)

The hike itself is 23km in length with quite a bit of climbing so you need a full day to get there and back. The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve opens at 7.30am in the winter. You can buy a permit at the gate and drive to the far end of the reserve. Here park your car and start up the path marked as the Panorama trail.

The first part of the hike is fairly steep. The path is clear and the views spectacular. After an hours climb the path levels out and takes you on a contour deep into the valley.

Admiring the view

After about 2 hours the path takes a left and leads you steeply up onto the Bergrivernek. At +/- 100om the views from here are truly spectacular. On one side Jonkershoek, on the other side The Assegaibos reserve and all around high and impressive peaks.

Some of the peaks seen from Bergrivernek

From here the trail leads still further up. The path is now much smaller and at times there is quite a drop on the right. After 20 minutes climbing the path levels out and leads across the plateau. An hour after leaving the nek look for a cairn and a path leading off the main path to the left.

The trail levels out and leads across the plateau

The path to Victoria Peak is not very clear so if cloud cover is low don’t take this route unless someone is familiar with it. The first 2km are fairly flat and over some quite wet ground with a few stream crossings. The final 500m is steep and straight up. Apart from a few cairns the path is not clear. Once at the top though the views are worth it.

The view of Table Mountain from Victoria peak

For us South Africans part of the attraction is the snow. Not much by some standards but we love it.

Snow on the way to Victoria peak

After a break at the top return to the main path the way you came. Once back at the main path turn left and continue on the Panorama trail. The reason this hike has this name is quite evedent from the panoramic views over the valley below. Keep on this path for an hour until you come to a junction. Take the right fork and head down Kruktreekers Nek. This is a steep and loose descent. Take care. Once at the bottom follow the path for an hour along a relatively flat trail until you rejoin the road in the nature reserve 5 minutes from you car.

Cape Point Hikes

Ridgway Ramblers offers a variety if hiking trails throughout the Cape Peninsula

Day 1

The 2 day hiking trail through Cape Point is magnificent. Although only 70km from Cape Town you are truly in the wilderness. Wildlife to be seen include Eland, Zebra, Bontebok and Ostriches. The accomodation is well equipped and comfortable. Really this is a trail that has it all. 

You start at the entrance gate to Cape Point. Walk through the gate and about 800m along the road before taking a path to the left. Today you follow the coast of False Bay. Although only 13km the trail is constantly undulating throughout the day so most people take 5 to 6 hours to reach the cottages. 

The start of the Cape Point hiking trail with magnificent views over False Bay

The path takes you very quickly to a viewpoint at Smitswinkel so you immediately get a taste of the scenary to come. 

From here you head South towards Judas Peak and then inland and around the base of Paulsberg which is the highest peak in the area (367m) The path is well marked but rocky, and some of the downhills quite steep. If the Southeaster is blowing you are quite exposed in places but luckily the wind blows you inland and not into the sea! The sea views are astounding all day, with the sheer cliffs of the Paulsberg giving a great backdrop to much of the mornings hike. 

The trail leads past Judas and around Paulsberg Peaks

After 8km you reach the top of a small peak kanonkop. So called as it is home to a canon left from the early days of the second British occupation of the Cape. It was used to signal Simonstown and warn them of an approaching ship. From here you can see Cape Point in the far distance as well the Diaz and Da Gama crosses close to the Buffelsfontein centre 4 km away. 

The cannon on Kanonkop

The Buffelsfontein visitor centre offers a good place for a lunch stop and to refill the water bottles. The trail leads to a junction in the path where the centre is clearly marked to your right. The visitors centre is is a restored homestead originally built in 1809. Here you will find toilets, a cafe and a wide variety of information on the flora, fauna and history of the area. 

 To get back onto the trail after lunch go past the centre and take the path leading to the left after the wooden boardwalks. This last section of the trail is 0.7 km long and relatively easy. The last 100m or so takes you right along the top of some awe inspiring cliffs to the Rooikraans view site which is one of the best whale viewing sites in the Cape. 

From the view site follow the path to the carpark and follow the yellow feet up a small trail until you come to a tar road. Here you are directed right to Erica hut and left to Restio and Protea. 

The cottages are well equipped and comfortable

If you have the energy and reach the hut relatively early in the afternoon it is well worth dumping your pack and continuing over Da Gama peak to Cape Point itself. This final stretch will take you an hour each way and then you also need an hour to explore and visit the light houses so ensure you have enough time before you set out. 

Cape Point seen from Da Game Peak

 An important thing to be aware of is the baboons. When you leave your packs at the hut put them inside and lock the doors. Once back at the accomodation don’t work with food in the kitchen with the doors open until its dark. After dark the baboons go to bed and won’t bother you any more. 

Day 2

Day 2 on the Cape Point trail is longer with a distance of 20km being covered. However it is less undulating and should also take 6 to 7 hours to complete. Today you hike along the Atlantic coast. Much of the day is spent on the beach with a wide variety of birds including the endangered Afican Black Oystercatcher often being sighted.

Ostriches and other wildlife are a common sight in Cape Point

From the hut follow the tar road down to the boom that meets the main road. Cross straight over the road and follow the path through the fynbos and across another tar road.  45 minutes after leaving the hut you come to the Atlantic coast at Pelgrams Point. Turn right here and follow the trail to Platboom. The path is broken up in places but just keep following the shoreline until just before the beach you head a little inland to the Platboom car park. From here head straight to the beach and cross the beach towards the ocean. There you will pick up the path again heading North along the coast. The path passes some Khoi san middens and the wreck of the Phyllisia which ran aground in 1968.

Day 2 follows the coast for much of the trail

After 6km you head inland at Hoek Van Bobbejan. Continue along the path for another 6km to a clearly marked junction where you turn right towards Sirklesvlei. This is the largest freshwater body in the area and is a great place for lunch. 

Sirkelsvlei is a good place for a lunch stop

After a well deserved break you set off for the final 3km of the trail. It leads you through fields of restios covering the wide central plain called Smitwinkelvlakte, and then up onto the rocky slopes of Rooihoogte, the only climb of today. You reach a height of 275 metres and then descend quite steeply to the entrance gate where you began the trail.      

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/walks-at-cape-point/

Hike from Napoleons bridge to

Bareges

Taking a break from hiking on Table Mountain I took a busman’s holiday in the French Pyrenees! The hike from Napoleon bridge to Barege is an easy hike for a cloudy day in the Pyrenees. It starts at a height of 800m and climbs to  a heighest point of 1277m. The hike takes you through a number of small villages with some beautiful ancient buildings which add to the interest of the walk. Altogether you cover a distance of some 12km and the hike should take you some 4 hours to complete.

The hike starts on the D921 between Luz St Sauveur and Gavarnie. The bridge spans the Garvanie river and is pretty impressive. It was built in honour of Napoleon 3rd who used to come to this area to “take the water”

Napoleons Bridge

From the bridge you walk for less than 100m along the road in the direction of Luz. You will see a clear path leading off the road on the right hand side. Follow this path. It leads steeply up before levelling out and following the road and river towards the town of Luz. After about an hour you will reach a charming little church overlooking the town. From here you head into the town and basically follow your nose through the narrow cobbled streets towards the Templar Church in the middle of the town. This is an impressive building that dominates this area of the town.

The Templar church dominates the centre of Luz

It is well worth taking the time to explore the temple.

From here you need to head to your right and away from the Garvarnie river towards Bareges. Initially follow the road until just outside the town you take a small path to the village of Viella. It takes 15 minutes to get to the village along a path with light on a timing switch. Clearly people stay in the village of Viella but walk to Luz for supper. The village of Viella is tiny with another beautiful old church and a water fountain guarded by a shepherd.

The water fountain in the village of Viella

From Viella you again follow the road back onto the main pass and take a road leading up the other side of the valley to the village of Viey. From here the path leads to the village of Sers. It should take you about an hour to hike from Viella to Sers. Both villages are built quite high in the valley and the path is steep at times, but the views terrific.

The view of Bareges taken from the chapel of St Justin

From Sers you need to head still further uphill to the chapel of St Justin. This is a tiny little chapel and from here at a height of 1277m you get your first look at Bareges.

The final stretch of the path to Bareges is a realtively gentle path through forest into the town of Bareges.

Walking up Snowdon reminds me

of walking up Table Mountain

Snowdon mountain found in the Snowdonia National Park  is the highest mountain in Wales. Having already climbed the highest mountains in Scotland  and England(Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike) I have had my sights on Snowdon for some time. Finally I got there yesterday. But what really surprised me was the many similarities between Snowdon and Table Mountain.

Table Mountain is 1085 metres at its highest point. Have a look at how high Snowdon is.

Exactly the same! Another similarity is that the summit is perfectly attainable for anyone of moderate fitness. There are a number of routes up both mountains which are straight hiking trails. No ropes or even scrambling required.

But best of all is that both mountains offer a cheat for those unable to hike up! Table Mountain has the cable car. Snowdon has a train!

The train offers a cheat route up Snowdon

 I suspect the weather might be the major difference between the 2 mountains. I was fortunate to be on Snowdon for a perfect hiking day. Clear but not too hot. I understand that to get clear views from the top of Snowdon is not exactly common!

Hiking to Grisedale Tarn

The English Lakedistrict offers some wonderful hiking. Rarely too hot and generally experiencing all four seasons in one day the greenery and beauty of the area cannot escape anyone who loves to be in the great outdoors. The variety of hikes are enormous with gentle rambles or longer tough hikes and scrambles all being available in abundance.

The Grisdale tarn is found on the slopes of Hellvellyn, inbetween the village of Patterdale and Thirlmere reservoir. If you don’t want to do an in and out route you will need to have 2 cars or a driver to collect you at the other side.

From Patterdale you head up the small road that leads to the West right beside the river. It is a small road which is tarred for about 5km. You will find parking just before the first gate. There is a path up Hellvellyn leaving from here. Don’t follow this path but continue along the lane. It becomes dirt after another couple of km and then quickly becomes a path leading steeply up the slope. The path is clear but rocky and uneven.  After about an hour it crosses a stream and reaches an outward bound hut.

The path leading up the valley

Leaving the hut behind you continue steeply up the valley. At the top you are greeted by the sight of a beautiful small tarn (small mountain lake).

The view of Grisedale Tarn looking back towards Patterdale

 The path to the right of the tarn leads steeply up the slopes of the mountain so it is better to take the left hand path that leads right around the edge of the lake. There are 2 clear routes leading away from the tarn. The first leads you down to Grasmere, the second takes you down to the main road that bypasses  Thirlmere reservoir. Both are steep and follow beautiful little  streams as they tumble down the mountain.

The steep path down

On the trail, even on a bank holiday you will only bump into a couple of other hikers. (and the odd crazy biker) But once you have finished there are an abundance of friendly pubs to relax in in one of the villages nearby.