One of the quieter hikes on Table
Mountain
Cecilea Ridge is one of the smaller and lesser known paths on Table Mountain. It leads from the Cecilia waterfall path directly up the mountain emerging onto the concrete road, just before the Overseers hut.
It is steep and there are a couple of places where you need to use your hands to climb up (or down) however, it is not what I would describe as a scramble route. So you can take the dogs and anyone who may be scared of heights!! Despite being steep this is a much gentler route down the mountain than either Nursery or Skeleton especially for anyone with sore knees.
A steep section of Cecilia Ridge
To find the path at the top you need to keep an eye out on your left as soon as you have passed the Overseers cottage and the outcrop of rocks immediately following it. (this is if you are coming down the mountain) It is marked by a cairn but as the fynbos is about knee high here it is easy to miss it. The first 100 or so metres are flat and leads you to a rocky outcrop where the path seems to disappear.
The rocky outcrop at the beginning of the Cecilia Ridge path
Look to your right and you pick up the path leading straight down some rocky steps. From here the path is quite clear for most of the way down. The views of Kirstenbosch, Cecilia forest and the Southern suburbs are terrific. Unlike Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge there are no trees on this route to block the view.
The view of Kirstenbosch
The path emerges at the highest point of the waterfall path. Once on the waterfall path you can turn either left for Kirstenbosch, or right for Cecilia forest.
