HIKING IN THE SOUTH

Start — From Boyes Drive in Lakeside, this point-to-point hike begins with a steady ascent. The first turn at the top to the left leads you toward Muizenberg Peak , then crosses over the top of Pecks Valley and continues on to St James Peak. Descent — From St James Peak , the path veers down and continues over Baileys Kloof , descending to Ou Kraal on Boyes Drive. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Ou Kraal on Boyes Drive (just before Sharkspotters driving from Kalk Bay) 📌 Meeting spot Ou Kraal  —   Google Maps 📌 Meeting spot Lakeside  —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time  —  3hrs 30min 📏 Distance  —  5.26km ⛰️ Elevation  —  494m 🟠  Grade  —  Moderately Strenuous 🐾🐾  —  Dog Friendly Route Notes  — Starts with a relat...

Start — From Constantia Nek parking, take the steep ascent to the left off the jeep track. At the next junction, turn left and curve behind the mountain to follow the ridge path up towards Camel Rock. Ridge Section — The path continues along the ridge, passing through beautiful fynbos and unusual rock formations. Minimal scrambling is required with one short section of mild exposure. After reaching Camel Rock the path continues towards  De Villiers Dam near the Overseers Cottage. Descent — The return follows the concrete road, with optional shorter side paths along the way back to Constantia Nek parking. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Constantia Nek parking near the circle where Rhodes Drive meets Hout Bay Main Rd and Constantia Main Rd. 📌 Meeting Spot   —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time...

Start — From Ou Kraal on Boyes Drive, follow the trail toward Bailey’s Kloof before ascending steadily through the Mimetes Valley . Contour Section — After turning left toward Kalk Bay , the route passes Kalk Bay Peak before descending into the shaded Spes Bona Forest . Return — The loop closes by following the historic Old Mule Path back to Ou Kraal , completing a scenic circular hike. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Ou Kraal at the start of the Old Mule Trail on Boyes Drive, St James. 📌 Meeting Spot   —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time  —  3hrs 30min – 4hrs 📏 Distance  —  6.9 km ⛰️ Elevation  —  447 m 🟠  Grade  —  Moderately Strenuous 🐾🐾   —  Dog Friendly Route Notes  — An easy-to-fo...

Overview — This out-and-back hike begins either in Kalk Bay or Clovelly and leads to the saddle between the two areas. From there, the trail ascends to Cave Peak before traversing along the cliff base and continuing to the summit. From the top, hikers can traverse across the mountain plateau to Blokhuiskop. Optional Loop — For the adventurous, a narrow passageway descends to the Clovelly side , allowing for a loop around Blokhuiskop. This option requires careful route finding and may be challenging for those unfamiliar with the area. Return options include the same route, a higher traverse past the Clovelly side entrance to Boomslang Cave , or via Echo Valley. 📍 Meeting Point — Clovelly Rd (Clovelly) or Godfrey Rd (Kalk Bay) 📌 Meeting Spot (Kalk Bay) — Google Maps 📌 Meeting Spot (Clovelly) — Google Maps ...

Route Overview — Starting from Clovelly or Kalk Bay, the Trappieskop Hike  follows a loop up the mountain on a stony trail. The ascent culminates in an excellent viewpoint with sweeping views over Kalk Bay Harbour. Descent — The return route descends on the Fish Hoek side, passing a lookout point overlooking Fish Hoek Beach. While steep in places, the trail is manageable for most hikers. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Either Godfrey Rd in Kalk Bay or Clovelly Rd in Clovelly. 📌 Meeting spot Kalk Bay  —   Google Maps 📌 Meeting spot Clovelly  —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time  —  1hr 30min 📏 Distance  —  2.6km ⛰️ Elevation  —  174m 🟢  Grade  —  Easy 🐾🐾  —  Dog Friendly Route Notes  — The ascent features easy sc...

Start — Begin either from Kalk Bay or Clovelly  and hike towards the saddle between the two suburbs before turning up to Cave Peak. Scramble & Climb — At the base of the cliffs, complete a 2m slightly challenging scramble followed by a relatively steep section to the top. Another short scramble is required just before reaching the top. This is best attempted along the right-hand side against the cliff. Traverse — After reaching the top, follow the high traverse past the Clovelly entrance to Boomslang Cave. Continue until you reach a left fork which doubles back toward Clovelly along a lower traverse at the base of the cliffs. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Either Godfrey Rd in Kalk Bay or Clovelly Rd in Clovelly. 📌 Meeting spot Kalk Bay   —   Google Maps 📌 Meeting spot Clovelly   —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time  — ...

Start — The hike begins in  Glencairn Heights  and winds inland up and around Elsies Peak . Follow the path as it curves back towards the sea, then take a left down towards Mountain Rd for a short distance followed by a sharp right on an indistinct path leading to the base of the cliffs. Traverse Section — The route circles around the front of Elsies Peak , including some easy crawling, scrambling, and step-down sections. The path eventually connects with the Glencairn descent back to the starting point. 📍 Meeting Point  —  14 Golconda Street, Glencairn Heights 📌 Meeting Spot   —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time  —  2hrs 30min 📏 Distance  —  3.2km ⛰️ Elevation  —  214m 🟢  Grade  —  Easy with some moderate scrambling 🐾🐾 — Not dog friendly...

Start — Starting from Silvermine Gate 2,  this relatively easy hike begins with a short but steep, unexposed scramble up to Wolfkop. Circular Route — From Wolfkop, the trail follows a circular route past Steenberg Peak , offering panoramic views of surrounding mountains, valleys, and distant coastline. The route loops back across the Steenberg plateau before descending to the start point. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Boom at the furthest end of the parking area, Silvermine Gate 2 📌 Meeting Spot   —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time  —  2hrs 📏 Distance  —  3.6km ⛰️ Elevation  —  248m 🟢  Grade  —  Easy 🐾🐾  —  Dog friendly Route Notes  —   The path is generally easy to follow, with some easy route-finding required to lo...

Start — Begin from Silvermine Gate 2, hiking past the Silvermine Waterfall and onto Dead Man’s Path. Turn left toward the cliffs to start the Dassieskasteel Traverse. Traverse Section — The route curves toward Ou Kaapse Weg , wrapping around Klein Tuinkop and passing Ystervarkgrot. A short scramble leads through a hole in the cliff to reach the top of Klein Tuinkop and rejoin the main trail. Return — Continue past Stonehenge (optional detour), head toward the helicopter pad, then descend past Bertie’s Balcony before returning to the Gate 2 parking area. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Boom at the furthest end of the parking area, Silvermine Gate 2 📌 Meeting Spot   —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time  —  4hrs 📏 Distance  —  8.5km ⛰️ Elevation  —  324m ...

Start — This out-and-back hike begins at the Upper Silvermine parking area (Gate 1).  The trail follows the Silvermine River upstream toward the Steenberg Ridge. River & Ridge Section — Continue along the river until reaching a cycle crossroad. Turn right, cross Silvermine Reservoir Road, and pass through a small parking area before climbing gently toward Steenberg Ridge. The trail then runs along the ridge with Silvermine Dam visible on the left. Return — At the end of the ridge, turn back toward Silvermine Dam and return along the river, retracing your route back to the car park. Important Note  —   Silvermine entry is cash only, and there is no mobile phone reception in the area. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Lower car park just after entry to Upper Silvermine Gate...

The Silvermine Skyline Path  is widely regarded as the best hike in Upper Silvermine, offering spectacular sea views over Noordhoek and Hout Bay along with exciting ridge ascents. Start — From the Upper Silvermine Dam parking area, take the gravel road to the left of the dam heading back toward Ou Kaapse Weg. Ridge Traverse — Take the first right turn to reach a ridge overlooking Silvermine Dam. At the T-junction, turn right again and ascend to the ridge summit, enjoying sweeping views across the reserve. Return Loop — Continue along the ridge until a split allows a left turn down to the gravel road. Follow this road past Noordhoek Peak , then take the sandy path toward the ridge above Chapman’s Peak Drive.  Continue over two steep but unexposed ascents until you reach a wide, sandy path that leads back to ...

The Upper Silvermine Amphitheatre Path  is a scenic loop hike offering elevated views over Silvermine Dam and Noordhoek, combining ridge walking with a dramatic contouring path high above the valley. Start — From the Upper Silvermine Dam parking, take the path to the right of the car park heading up towards Steenberg Ridge. Ridge Section — Follow the ridge path until it crosses the Elephant Eye Trail. Turn left to join the concrete road, then continue along the jeep track heading toward Hout Bay. Amphitheatre Loop — The Amphitheatre Path branches off on the left. Stay on this path as it curves high above the dam, offering excellent views, before returning along the ridge and descending to a sandy road that heads back to the dam. Important Note  —   Silvermine entry is cash only a...

The Chapman’s Peak Contour  to East Fort is a point-to-point hike that follows a well-defined cliff-base contour from the Noordhoek side of Chapman’s Peak Drive to East Fort in Hout Bay, offering great views over the coastline and sea. Start — Begin at the Noordhoek side of Chapman’s Peak Drive, following the Chapman’s Peak Hiking Trail with a steady ascent. Contour Section — The path soon veers left and contours along the base of the cliffs, offering dramatic ocean and mountain views as it traverses toward Hout Bay . Finish — A gradual descent leads down via Blackburn Ravine , ending at East Fort on Chapman’s Peak Drive. 📍 Meeting Point  —  East Fort Parking on Chapman’s Peak Drive (vehicle shuttle required). 📌 Meeting Spot (Finish)  —   East Fort Parking 📌 Meeting S...

An exciting ascent to Chapman’s Peak from Noordhoek Beach  via a less-traveled route, with spectacular views over Noordhoek and Hout Bay, returning on the main trail. Start — This is a point-to-point hike , so cars need to be left at both ends. Start at the Noordhoek Beach parking, walk onto the beach and head toward the path on the right leading back towards  Monkey Valley . Ridge Traverse — Take the next left turn toward Chapman’s Peak Drive , cross the road and continue along the spectacular ridge to the summit of Chapman’s Peak . Expect dramatic ocean views and some slightly exposed sections. Descent — Descend via the path toward Hout Bay until reaching the parking area on Chapman’s Peak Drive . 📍 Meeting Point — Chapman’s Peak Drive parking. Leave cars here, then drive to Noordho...

Alfie’s Path  contours along the base of the cliffs above Chapman’s Peak Drive, offering great views of the ocean and coastline. Start — From East Fort on Chapman’s Peak Drive, the trail ascends to Blackburn Ravine. Alfie’s Path Section — Turn left off the Blackburn Ravine path onto Alfie’s Path and follow the trail along the base of the cliffs. The path is mostly flat with some short rocky sections and easy scrambling. Views of Hout Bay and the coastline are visible along the way. Descent — The trail descends back to East Fort via the same path. 📍 Meeting Point  —  East Fort Parking, Chapman’s Peak Drive 📌 Meeting Spot   —   Google Maps ⏱️ Hiking Time  —  3hrs 📏 Distance  —  5.3km ⛰️ Elevation  —  430m 🟡  Grade  — ...

A great Cape Point fynbos hike  from the Smitswinkel Bay viewpoint past Sirkelsvlei, which offers a refreshing swimming option, to Olifantsbos on the Atlantic coast. Start — This point-to-point hike begins at Smitswinkel Bay viewpoint, located on the left at the first bend past the Cape Point entrance. The trail starts with an easy uphill section before descending through fynbos to cross Olifantsbos Road. Trail Section — Continue past the Sirkelsvlei Natural Dam to finish at the Olifantsbos parking area . The path is easy to follow on a stony trail. Important Note  —   Cape Point payment is credit card only and ID is required. 📍 Meeting Point  —  Leave cars at the Olifantsbos parking and return to the start at Smitswinkel Bay viewpoint parking. 📌 Meeting Spot Olifantsbos  — ...

This most stunning Cape Point trail  runs along a cliff-top path that offers great views of the coast before gradually descending to the beach. For the return journey, you'll follow sandy paths a bit inland from the shore, culminating in a short, steep ascent back to the parking area. Cliff Top Path — The cliff top path offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and fynbos-covered cliffs.  Coastal Path — Once you reach the coast, there is the option of a swim in the sea . The return coastal path runs very close to the shoreline. Along the way, hikers often encounter local wildlife including ostriches wandering the fynbos and  bontebok grazing nearby. Return Route —  The path then winds upward towards the lookout point , allowing hikers to enjoy elevated views once again befor...

Experience the natural beauty of Cape Point on the Sirkelsvlei loop,  starting from Olifantsbos and passing through colourful fynbos and rocky terrain to reach the region’s largest freshwater pan, with optional swimming in the vlei. Trailhead — The hike starts at the Olifantsbos parking area. From here, follow the left fork that ascends the coastal embankment towards the inland plateau. Plateau Section — Once on the plateau, the trail winds through open fynbos, passing indigenous shrubs and wildflowers. Sirkelsvlei Approach — The trail runs beside the freshwater body of Sirkelsvlei , where the unique plateau environment allows the vlei to maintain water year-round.  Return — After completing the loop beside the vlei, the trail circles back toward Olifantsbos , descending the embankment to the st...