Hiking Trails close to Capetown

Perdekop Trail in Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve 

Just beyond the pretty Valley of Franschhoek lies Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. Perdekop Trail offers panoramic views in all directions. On a clear day even Table Mountain and Lion’s Head is visible. Perdekop stands at 1575m elevation. 

More so however you’ll hike through diverse natural landscapes and beautiful Fynbos, including Proteas, Erica's, Restios. 

The Berg River Dam can be seen on the far end of the valley, and across Franschhoek Pass you look towards Theewaterskloof Dam. Both are important supply reservoirs to Cape Town and Theewaterskloof Dam. Wemmershoekdam is visible from Uitkyk. 

Antelope tracks and droppings on the way , indicates the presence of the small mammals that survive up in the mountains. One such species is the Klipspringer, which you could get lucky to sight as the bucks are diurnal and inhabit rocky terrain – mostly the peaks/ridges and plateaus. Keep your eyes peeled for cat scat or fresh tracks, this is leopard country after all!

The trail is approximately 13km and takes roughly 7 hours including short stops. Elevation gain is 1017m

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Panorama Route in Jonkershoek 

Pay an entry fee at the gate of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. They do nót take cash. Drive or hike to the White Bridge (about 5km). I recommend driving although the road is bad and bumpy. 

Starting at the trailhead at the "White Bridge", if you go clock-wise, you start climbing immediately on a well-maintained singletrack path. Or go anti clockwise up Kurktrekkernek via the waterfalls. It is a steep aproximately 2 km hike to the top. Many people prefer this rather than coming down via the Kurktrekkernek track. 

The climb is fairly challenging with loose rocks but offers amazing views of both sides of the valleys with beautiful flowers on the way. 

The board says 17 km but it is closer to 14km. Route takes between 5 and 7 hours depending on hiking speed, fitness and amount op breaks if you drive with car to the start of trail. Take enough water (at least two liter) and food for the hike. 

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Sphynx Route (part of Boland Trail) 

Sphynx Route is situated in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, close to Grabouw in the Western Cape.

The trail winds up and down along a rugged and mountainous terrain and ends at Landroskop and Shamrock Hut where one can spent the night – a total of 12km (7.4 miles). The first part is on a jeep track before it continues in a well maintained foot path. Elevation gain approximately 550m. Time including stops 4h30. 

The next morning, the hike is walking down is on a jeep track. On the way watch out on the right for the Brail trail. A short section down a footpath which ends on the jeep track a bit further from where the jeep track continues to the end 10km (6.2 miles). Elevation gain 88m. Time aproximately 2 hours. 

The trail can also be done as a day hike. Best to start early. 

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Fernkloof Hiking Trails

Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus, covers 18 square kilometres in the Kleinrivier Mountains in Hermanus and ranges in altitude from sea level to 824m. Beautiful flowers, birds and lovely views. Walk; Run; Cycle on the Yellow route; Stay in the Galpin Mountain Hut.

 

A 60 km network of paths traverses the Reserve.

Maps and brochures are available at the Visitors’ Centre or the Fernkloof Nursery.

The colour coded paths are well graded and signposted.  

Choose from paths that take you to the heights of Aasvoelkop at 824m or follow the lower level contour paths that take you from Vogelgat Nature Reserve in the east through to Rotary Way in the west.

A popular walk for youngsters is the 800m path from the Visitors’ Centre to the waterfall.  This also follows a stream through a narrow stretch of forest. 

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Haarkapper Hiking Trail 

The Haarkapper Hiking Trail offers you a chance to walk in the footsteps of the famous Tesselaarsdal Barber crossing the Klein River Mountains between Phillipskop near Stanford and Tesselaarsdal. The route can be walked starting from either side and can be done as a figure of eight starting and finishing at the same point, or just one way if you have transport arranged on the other side. 

Jannie Willemse was a farmer from Tesselaarsdal who used to walk 20km over the Klein River Mountains to Stanford every Saturday, to cut the townsfolk’s hair, before returning to his Tesselaarsdal farm the same day. He did this each and every Saturday for over 20 years without fail, clocking up more than 42,000km on foot, faithfully serving his Stanford custom on foot – more than the distance all the way around the earth!

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Groot Winterhoek 

The beautiful Groot Winterhoek Nature Reserve is known for its rugged, wild landscape & "Rock formations. The reserve overs several trails to enjoy. 

Die Hel is nestled in the Groot Winterhoek mountains which is one of the largest rock pools in the Western Cape, a secluded piece of paradise.

Hiking up to the Groot Winterhoek Peak is tough but absolutely incredible. Best to plan to sleep over somewhere on the route coming down (Wilderness permit). Very little people will manage to reach the peak and come down in one day. 

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The Cape of Good Hope Overnight Trail

The Cape of Good Hope Overnight Trail is a two-day, one-night trail that follows a circular route through the reserve. The trail begins and ends at the Cape Point entrance. The total distance of the hike ± 33 km (you can add 10-12km extra by walking around Cape Point and taking longer routes and loops). The trail can be done either clock or anticlockwise. 

Day one, ± 23km, or longer day of the trail takes hikers through some of the most pristine wilderness of the reserve, cutting through vast plains of fynbos and over isolated beaches, populated only by ostrich, baboons, bontebok, eland and klipspringer. Wildlife, though skittish, is often seen on the route, and dynamic plant and birdlife abound. 

The overnight Hut is perfectly situated with breath-taking views. Very special! 

The second day, or shorter day, 1 ± 13km, is very rocky and included a lot of ups and downhills but very scenic. For most of the hike you are walking near the edge of the cliffs, with stunning views of the ocean and the rest of the reserve. 

Longer day ±23 km:

Shorter day ± 15 km:

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Table Mountain’-Kirstenbosch Excursion (2 Days / 1 night)

Overnight at the Overseers Cottage, located high above Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Southern Suburbs of the city, overlooking False Bay. By the evening all the day walkers have left, the experience of the tranquility is great.

Description

Day 1

Enjoy a leisurely walk through the Gardens until you reach the contour path, where the mountain hike begins. From here your mountain guide will select the route to be taken to the top, according to the group’s ability and the weather. The walk to Overseers Cottage is approximately 2 – 3 hours.

However it is great to first explore around the Back of Table Mountain and enjoy lunch somewhere on the back table before heading to the Overseers Cottage in the late afternoon. Visit the railway museum and the old reservoirs. On to Kasteelspoort for the vital photograph of ‘the diving board’ that overlooks Camps Bay and the Atlantic Coastline, far below. In the evening enjoy the fire place, the stars and tranquility on Table Mountain.

Day 2

Set off along the historic Smuts Track towards Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine and Echo Valley, on your way to Maclears Beacon and the highest point of the mountain. Enjoy the interesting rock formations, the spectacular views and the wide variety of fynbos species, including proteas, ericas, restios and many others. Enjoy lunch on the way to the top of Platteklip Gorge and the Western Table en route to the cable station. The final challenge is the walk off the Table, down the steep, but well defined Platteklip Gorge route. Weather permitting, there is an optional alternative of taking the easy way down with a ride in the cable car. 

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