Route Summary
Distance: 7km
Estimated time: 3hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 500m
Type: Out and back
View Kasteelspoort Walk map
* This is the easiest way to get up to the dams on the back table. Once up there, there is no cell-phone coverage or sign of the city - you could be in the mountains anywhere - magic!
Route description
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Hike Kalk bay - Boomslang cave and back
Route Summary
Distance: 4km
Estimated time: 1.5hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 400m
Type: Out and back
View Kalk bay - Boomslang cave walk map
* Short, fun, cave not for the claustophobic.
Today's hike was
Route description
Distance: 4km
Estimated time: 1.5hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 400m
Type: Out and back
View Kalk bay - Boomslang cave walk map
* Short, fun, cave not for the claustophobic.
Today's hike was
Route description
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Hike Newlands Forest to Newlands ravine
Route Summary
Distance: 8km
Estimated time: 3hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 805m
Type: Out and back/Circular
View Newlands ravine walk map
* Medium length walk with a lot of uphill. Offers combination of indigenous Afro-Montane forest (only pockets left on Table Mountain) and stunning views over the Southern Suburbs and Cape Flats.
Route description
Find your way to the Newlands Forest parking area situated below the Newlands Fire Base just off Union Ave in Newlands.
Walk up the road from the car-park through the boom and past the helicopter pads on your right. At the T-junction you will see the Littlewort Trail sign ahead of you and slightly to your right (see picture). Follow the Littlewort trail, a well-used path which meanders upward through the fynbos and other indigenous shrubs. Keep your eyes out for the young Yellowwood trees and other indigenous saplings establishing themselves after being planted as part of a re-forestation programme - see photo.
Keep on this path, crossing another path at right angles, until you reach a T-junction, at which point turn left for a hundred metres or so. You will come to a river; follow the path upwards with the river on your left until you arrive at a bridge (with a jeep-track crossing horizontally) with some benches. Pass through this area and continue to climb on the path with the river on your left. A path will come in from your right at marker "P"; keep left and head back towards the river, keeping it on your left and noting the following landmarks as you go:
From this point there is a fairly hard 20 minute uphill walk to the beautiful picnic spot on the upper contour path at the base of Newlands ravine. As you follow the path upward, if you find a split in the path (there's at least one obvious one), choose the route which heads upwards. Eventually you will intersect with a boardwalk, which is the upper contour path, and just to your right will be the picnic spot (see picture), a good place to rest and have a drink.
Directly opposite the entrance to the picnic table is the path leading up Newlands ravine, marked by (at the moment) an old and rusty but still legible sign. Once on this path it will take you to the top of Newlands ravine with no opportunities for mistakes. The scenery gets steadily more dramatic as you gain altitude and about half-way up you break out of the forest with sheer rock cliffs rising above you and views out over the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland mountains in the North. At the top you will be in the saddle between Table Mountain and Devils peak, and look down on the lookout point known as Pulpit rock (subject of an earlier post). Enjoy and explore.
On your way back, you can retrace your route to your car; or, if you would prefer a slightly circular route and to see a bit more of Newlands forest, at the picnic point turn right (as you come down) onto the contour path and continue that way. You will cross the bottom end of a huge rockslide before crossing two streams; shortly after the second stream, the path splits; go left, and the path heads steeply down to the head of a jeep-track; follow this for about 20 metres until you see the path heading downwards on the left. After a few hundred metres the path connects again with the road, and almost immediately afterwards you have the opportunity to leave the road to the left again on a path which doubles back. This path heads downwards until you hear the river ahead of you and then splits - turn right and keep going down, with the river on your left. 100m on it splits again; keep left towards the river, and shortly after this cross the river to rejoin the path you headed up on earlier, near the faded "X" marker. Head down keeping the river on your right now, and you will soon be back at the bridge. From here any path downwards will take you back to your car.
Distance: 8km
Estimated time: 3hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 805m
Type: Out and back/Circular
View Newlands ravine walk map
* Medium length walk with a lot of uphill. Offers combination of indigenous Afro-Montane forest (only pockets left on Table Mountain) and stunning views over the Southern Suburbs and Cape Flats.
Route description
Walk up the road from the car-park through the boom and past the helicopter pads on your right. At the T-junction you will see the Littlewort Trail sign ahead of you and slightly to your right (see picture). Follow the Littlewort trail, a well-used path which meanders upward through the fynbos and other indigenous shrubs. Keep your eyes out for the young Yellowwood trees and other indigenous saplings establishing themselves after being planted as part of a re-forestation programme - see photo.
 |
| Young Yellowwood tree |
- Boardwalks shortly after the "P" marker
- On your right, a very faded "X" marker marking a young Yellowwood tree
- On your left, you may notice 1 or 2 opportunities to cross the river; don't.
 |
| Picnic table at the base of Newlands ravine |
Directly opposite the entrance to the picnic table is the path leading up Newlands ravine, marked by (at the moment) an old and rusty but still legible sign. Once on this path it will take you to the top of Newlands ravine with no opportunities for mistakes. The scenery gets steadily more dramatic as you gain altitude and about half-way up you break out of the forest with sheer rock cliffs rising above you and views out over the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland mountains in the North. At the top you will be in the saddle between Table Mountain and Devils peak, and look down on the lookout point known as Pulpit rock (subject of an earlier post). Enjoy and explore.On your way back, you can retrace your route to your car; or, if you would prefer a slightly circular route and to see a bit more of Newlands forest, at the picnic point turn right (as you come down) onto the contour path and continue that way. You will cross the bottom end of a huge rockslide before crossing two streams; shortly after the second stream, the path splits; go left, and the path heads steeply down to the head of a jeep-track; follow this for about 20 metres until you see the path heading downwards on the left. After a few hundred metres the path connects again with the road, and almost immediately afterwards you have the opportunity to leave the road to the left again on a path which doubles back. This path heads downwards until you hear the river ahead of you and then splits - turn right and keep going down, with the river on your left. 100m on it splits again; keep left towards the river, and shortly after this cross the river to rejoin the path you headed up on earlier, near the faded "X" marker. Head down keeping the river on your right now, and you will soon be back at the bridge. From here any path downwards will take you back to your car.
Hike Newlands Forest (Woodcutters trail)
Route Summary
Distance: 0km
Estimated time: 2h30m + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 450m
Type: Out and back/Circular/2 cars
View Chapman Peak Walk map
*Short but fairly strenuous because of the elevation gain.
Today's hike was
Route description
Distance: 0km
Estimated time: 2h30m + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 450m
Type: Out and back/Circular/2 cars
View Chapman Peak Walk map
*Short but fairly strenuous because of the elevation gain.
Today's hike was
Route description
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Hike Platteklip Gorge
Route Summary
Distance: 9.5km
Estimated time: 5hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 950m
Type: Out and back
View Platteklip Gorge Walk map
* Fairly long and strenuous, clearly marked
If you want to walk to the table top or the highest point on Table Mountain (Maclear's Beacon), this is the shortest and most clearly marked route. As a result it is popular, particularly with tourists who have limited time and knowledge of the mountain.
Route description
Use a map of Cape Town to drive to Kloof Nek, the pass between the City Bowl and the Atlantic Seaboard which is the access point to the lower cableway station. At Kloof Nek turn left and wind up Tafelberg road to the lower cableway station. Check your odometer at the cableway station and continue along Tafelberg road for another 1.6km. You will find a parking area olong the left hand side of the road with the start of the walk on the right of the road next to a security/information booth at the far end of the parking area. A large sign marks the start of the Platteklip Gorge trail.
Follow the trail up the left hand side of a small river gorge. After a few hundred metres you cross the stream (can be dry in summer) and shortly afterwards pass under a small grove of trees. At this point there is a contour path bearing right towards the cable station. Turn left and continue up the path which travels horizontally along the side of the mountain for about 80m to a right-hand hairpin bend. At this point the contour path in the other direction leaves the hairpin and continues horizontally; you follow the hairpin left and continue upwards, with Platteklip gorge visible ahead of you. From this point there are no paths of significance which do not take you to the top of the gorge; in places the path splits, but rejoins further up.
Distance: 9.5km
Estimated time: 5hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 950m
Type: Out and back
View Platteklip Gorge Walk map
* Fairly long and strenuous, clearly marked
If you want to walk to the table top or the highest point on Table Mountain (Maclear's Beacon), this is the shortest and most clearly marked route. As a result it is popular, particularly with tourists who have limited time and knowledge of the mountain.
- A popular variation of the map provided here is to walk up Platteklip and catch the cable car down.
- If you are content with getting to the table-top and don't feel the need to get to the highest point (which only adds about 70m), you can skip the Maclear's beacon loop, halving the distance (but not the effort!) and reducing the time by about 1.5 hours.
Route description
Use a map of Cape Town to drive to Kloof Nek, the pass between the City Bowl and the Atlantic Seaboard which is the access point to the lower cableway station. At Kloof Nek turn left and wind up Tafelberg road to the lower cableway station. Check your odometer at the cableway station and continue along Tafelberg road for another 1.6km. You will find a parking area olong the left hand side of the road with the start of the walk on the right of the road next to a security/information booth at the far end of the parking area. A large sign marks the start of the Platteklip Gorge trail.
Follow the trail up the left hand side of a small river gorge. After a few hundred metres you cross the stream (can be dry in summer) and shortly afterwards pass under a small grove of trees. At this point there is a contour path bearing right towards the cable station. Turn left and continue up the path which travels horizontally along the side of the mountain for about 80m to a right-hand hairpin bend. At this point the contour path in the other direction leaves the hairpin and continues horizontally; you follow the hairpin left and continue upwards, with Platteklip gorge visible ahead of you. From this point there are no paths of significance which do not take you to the top of the gorge; in places the path splits, but rejoins further up.
 |
| Platteklip Gorge as seen from Tafelberg rd |
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Hike Lions Head
Route Summary
Distance: 5 km
Estimated time: 1.5hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 500m
Type: Out and back
View Lions Head hike map
* Exposed areas with assistance provided in the form of chains, ladders and steps. Most of these can be avoided by taking the longer route. Hike with care.
Lion's Head is a must-do hike for everyone, visitor or resident. It's not a hike you do to get away from it all - when the weather is good, there are always plenty of people on the route - but for good reason. The 360° views from the top include the iconic front view of Table Mountain (if from a slight angle), the City bowl, harbour and Table Bay looking North, and the magnificent beach suburbs of the Atlantic Seaboard, historic Robben Island and the Twelve Apostles mountain range looking South and West.
Route description
Use a map of Cape Town to drive to Kloof Nek, the pass between the City Bowl and the Atlantic Seaboard which is also the access point to the lower cableway station. At Kloof Nek take the road towards Signal Hill and Lion's Head which slopes steeply upward and where it begins to level out after a few hundred metres there is parking on the right and a green TMNP sign headed "Lion's Head" marking the start of the walk on the left.
The path heads off to the left and is like a highway most of the way to the top. It spirals around the peak of Lion's Head so that, initially, it is not too steep. After about 2 km you have done the first 360° of the spiral and are looking down on your car; at this point you have the option of continuing on a longer route or heading up a rock face on an easy scramble assisted by chains and steps firmly fixed to the rock by TMNP. I recommend the rock face - much more fun. My 8 and 10 year olds loved it, but as with anything on Table Mountain, you do it at your own risk.
After this point the walk steepens into a mixture of rock steps and scrambling to reach the top about 300m further on. Plan to relax and soak up the views, preferably with a cold drink or glass of wine. Even when busy, you can usually find a peaceful spot around the edge of the peak to take it all in. The return trip is the same route in reverse.
Keep an eye out for paragliders: there are two launch points along the route and when the weather is right there can be quite a few paragliders sailing around the peak before gliding down to land on the beaches.
Distance: 5 km
Estimated time: 1.5hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 500m
Type: Out and back
View Lions Head hike map
* Exposed areas with assistance provided in the form of chains, ladders and steps. Most of these can be avoided by taking the longer route. Hike with care.
Lion's Head is a must-do hike for everyone, visitor or resident. It's not a hike you do to get away from it all - when the weather is good, there are always plenty of people on the route - but for good reason. The 360° views from the top include the iconic front view of Table Mountain (if from a slight angle), the City bowl, harbour and Table Bay looking North, and the magnificent beach suburbs of the Atlantic Seaboard, historic Robben Island and the Twelve Apostles mountain range looking South and West.
 |
| View south from Lion's Head |
Route description
Use a map of Cape Town to drive to Kloof Nek, the pass between the City Bowl and the Atlantic Seaboard which is also the access point to the lower cableway station. At Kloof Nek take the road towards Signal Hill and Lion's Head which slopes steeply upward and where it begins to level out after a few hundred metres there is parking on the right and a green TMNP sign headed "Lion's Head" marking the start of the walk on the left.
After this point the walk steepens into a mixture of rock steps and scrambling to reach the top about 300m further on. Plan to relax and soak up the views, preferably with a cold drink or glass of wine. Even when busy, you can usually find a peaceful spot around the edge of the peak to take it all in. The return trip is the same route in reverse.
Keep an eye out for paragliders: there are two launch points along the route and when the weather is right there can be quite a few paragliders sailing around the peak before gliding down to land on the beaches.
 |
| View north from Lion's Head |
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Hike Hout Bay Corner
Route Summary
Distance: 6.5km
Estimated time: 2.5hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 650m
Type: Out and back
View Hout Bay Corner walk map
* Warning: Dangerously exposed areas and scrambling (assisted by grips and steps fixed into the rock). Attempt with caution, esp. with children.
This hike offers some of the best views possible over Hout Bay, Llundudno, and south over Chapman's peak.
Route description
The route starts from the top of Suikerbossie hill, the pass between Hout Bay and Llundudno. Driving from Hout Bay up Suikerbossie, watch for a sign about 50 metres from the top of the hill, on the left, indicating Victoria Drive Access Road exit on the right. This is the only road turning right off Suikerbossie. Turn right into Victoria Drive Access Road and about 150m ahead of you is the entrance to Ryuterplaats Private Mountain Estate. Park in the area provided on the left before getting to this entrance. The route begins just to the left of this entrance gate and is well sign-posted.
Distance: 6.5km
Estimated time: 2.5hrs + stops.
Total Elevation gain: 650m
Type: Out and back
View Hout Bay Corner walk map
* Warning: Dangerously exposed areas and scrambling (assisted by grips and steps fixed into the rock). Attempt with caution, esp. with children.
This hike offers some of the best views possible over Hout Bay, Llundudno, and south over Chapman's peak.
Route description
The route starts from the top of Suikerbossie hill, the pass between Hout Bay and Llundudno. Driving from Hout Bay up Suikerbossie, watch for a sign about 50 metres from the top of the hill, on the left, indicating Victoria Drive Access Road exit on the right. This is the only road turning right off Suikerbossie. Turn right into Victoria Drive Access Road and about 150m ahead of you is the entrance to Ryuterplaats Private Mountain Estate. Park in the area provided on the left before getting to this entrance. The route begins just to the left of this entrance gate and is well sign-posted.
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