hikes in cape town & surrounding areas

HIKE 1 LIONS HEAD WITH SIGNAL HILL

This hike takes you up the lions head which offers one of the best panoramic views in Cape Town It is not a difficult hike but it does require climbing of a few small ladders in places.

At a leisurely photographic pace it is about an hour up. It can be quite steep at times but it is well worth it for the unbelievable vistas from the top. It is the only place that offers you a full 360 degree elevated view over the city, ocean and mountains.

HIKE 2 TABLE MOUNTAIN (OPTIONAL CABLE CAR ONE WAY)

For those wanting to really experience Table Mountain there is the option of walking up it and taking the Cable Car down or vice versa. The path up has steps all the way so it doesn’t involve any climbing or ladders but it is steep in places.

At a leisurely photographic pace it is about two hours to the top where you will have plenty of time to explore and perhaps have lunch.  Walking up is best on the knees and walking down easiest on the heart and lungs.

HIKE 3 CAMPS BAY (KASTEELPOORT)

This hike takes you up from scenic Camps Bay to the top of one of the Twelve Apostles peaks and is a very beautiful walk. It is a steep hike both up and down but it doesn’t require any climbing.

At a leisurely photographic pace it is about two hours up and the highlight is not only the view from the top but also an unusual rock that juts out over the ravine which makes for really fun photography but can be quite daunting  for the person posing on it!

HIKE 4 NEWLANDS FOREST

There is a beautiful forest that lies on the back side of Table Mountain that consists of a mixture of mature pine plantations and indigenous ancient wilds. The forest is crisscrossed with numerous walks some that lead towards Kirstenbosch Gardens others to Rhodes Memorial and others up the Newlands Ravine.

You can set your own pace as there are many paths to choose from and they vary from easy and flat to moderate and steep.

HIKE 5 SKELETON GORGE AND NURSERY RAVINE

This is a popular walk up the backside of Table Mountain from Kirstenbosch Gardens. Though there are steps there are sections that require one to climb ladders and over rocks. During rainy times this walk is not possible because it gets too slippery.

At a leisurely photographic pace the walk up is roughly two hours and can be very steep in parts but your efforts will be well rewarded because at the top is an unusual sight, a beach! Well what appears like one except instead of ocean waters it has deep red tannin stained waters (unfortunately swimming is not allowed).

We will walk across to the lookout over Camps Bay and its unusual jutting out rock before returning back to KB gardens via the Nursery Ravine route which has one ladder and over a thousand steps.

This walk is beautiful but it is strenuous in terms of fitness.

HIKE 6 THE SECRET PATH (SHIPWRECKS, ROCKS & CAVES)

This is a route that takes you off the beaten path. It runs between mountain and ocean with beautiful vistas. There are beaches of white, oceans of blue, two ship wrecks and a little cave. To keep our route secret we are not saying where it is, you will have to experience it...

There are sections that are moderately steep but for the most part this is a fairly easy hike though the path can be a little overgrown in places.