Gifkommetjie Clifftop Coastal Trail - Cape Point
Note: Cape Point payment is credit card only and ID is required.
Meeting Point: Gifkommetjie Parking at end of Circular Drive.
Meeting Spot: Google Maps Location
Hiking Time: 2hrs 30min
Distance: 5.36km
Elevation: 156m
Grade: Easy
🐶 No dogs allowed in the reserve
Route Notes: An easy to follow clifftop and coastal hike. No exposure to heights.
Hiking Map: Gifkommetjie AllTrails Map or download GPX Route
Info on Cape Point: Cape Point
Why it's called Gifkommetjie
The Afrikaans name Gifkommetjie translates to "poisonous little bowl." The term "little bowl" refers to the circular sea basin in the area while the "poison" denotes the toxic milky sap of the Euphorbia caput-medusae plants that flourish on the sandy coastal plains of Cape Point.
This plant was named by the Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, reflecting its resemblance to the head of Medusa, a figure from Greek mythology known for having a head of hair consisting of live venomous snakes.
This succulent is a sprawling plant with many slender serpent-like branches arising from a central, thick, tuberous stem. It is not considered toxic to humans or animals but when damaged, it oozes a milky sap that can cause skin irritation and eye damage if touched.
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