Hiking around the Constantiaberg

 mountain in the Cape Peninsula

The view of Constantiaberg from Table Mountain

The view of Constantiaberg from Table Mountain

The Constantiaberg is the large mountain that is clearly visible from the top of Table mountain as you look towards Cape Point. (between Table Mountain and Silvermine) On its top is a radio mast that reaches a height of 1120m and is thus the highest landed point on the Cape Peninsula. (Constantiaberg itself reaches a height of 928m).

There are a number of walks on and around the Constaniaberg. One of my favourites is a circular route beginning at the dam in Silvermine. From here you head up the jeep track and take the path for the Elephants eye cave. Just before heading up the final part of the path to the cave you take a right fork and head down a steep path for 50m to a small waterfall. The path levels out here and leads around the mountain on this contour. This is a beautiful path, just above the forests of Tokai.

The path above Tokai forest

The path above Tokai forest

After around 3km along this path it descends for a brief time onto the level 5 jeep track in the forest. Turn towards Cape Town and follow the track which becomes a small path again and leads into a patch of indigenous forest and up the steep Boekenhoutkloof. At the top you join the tar road that leads to the top of the mountain. You follow this road for 4km. Although the walking is easy and the views absolutely stupendous, be on the lookout for speeding mountain bikes. This a cycling route and many take the downhill as a good opportunity to test their nerves! (and brakes) If you have dogs with you rather keep them on a lead.

Magnificent views from the tar road

Magnificent views from the tar road

Just before the final right hand switchback look for a cairn on the left hand side of the road. This marks a path, that leads back into Silvermine coming past the Elephants eye cave on the otherside.

Explore the Table Mountain chain on foot on a guided Table Mountain hike with Ridgway Ramblers