Take A Hike!
It’s official, winter has arrived in Cape Town with its rainy, cloudy, windy, but also clear crisp days. Days perfect for exploring hiking trails! Seeing as it is winter, with rain and moisture seeping into the soil, the flora grows strong and vibrantly green as photosynthesis takes place. This makes for exquisite scenery all around as you trek through some of Cape Town’s best hiking trails. Not sure which trails you want to take a stab at? Here are some of our favourites.
Lion’s Head
Lion’s Head, flanking Table Mountain on the right is Cape Town’s most hiked mountain and can be identified by its distinctive peak. Circling the mountain until you get to the summit is worth the 2 to 3-hour hike especially when, as you ascend, you get spectacular views of Cape Town, Table Mountain, Camp’s Bay, and the Twelve Apostles. Not only can this trail be done during daytime, but also at night guided by the moon during the Lion’s Head Full Moon Hike.
Skeleton Gorge
If you’re up for a longer hike, then Skeleton Gorge is a perfect option for you ranging at approximately 5 hours to complete. However, this hike is no boring and ordinary one. Starting in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the trail leads up the eastern slope of Table Mountain through a dense picturesque forest consisting of ladders and tree tunnels and finally summits at Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on Table Mountain.
Woodstock Cave
The largest cave on Table Mountain, horizontally spanning 50 metres wide, 4 metres high at the mouth of the cave and 15 metres deep, is one of the most popular destinations for hikers. This 1 to 2-hour hike takes you halfway up Devil’s Peak and allows for spectacular views of the city down below. Journeying up to the Woodstock Cave is sure to set your tummy rumbling, which is a good thing because having a picnic style lunch in cave mouth with magnificent views is a definite must!
Chapman’s Peak
Not only is Chapman’s Peak famous for being one of the most scenic drives in Cape Town, but you can also hike up the landmark for staggering views of the ocean, Constantia Berg, Hout Bay, Fish Hoek, and Gordon’s Bay. One of the most rewarding hikes in the Cape Peninsula, Chapman’s Peak is one of those hiking trails that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Jonkershoek
Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the Mother City and moving into the Winelands, where brilliantly vibrant greenery blankets sprawling hills and farmlands, the Jonkershoek hiking trail is the walk of a lifetime. Take a hike on one of the many walking trails snaking through the brilliant Jonkershoek Mountains whilst surrounded by the equally exquisite fynbos dominating the area and be prepared to have your breath knocked right out of you as you behold its beauty.
There you have it! These are some of the many amazing hiking trails spread across Cape Town and the surrounding areas! So, tug on those hiking boots or trainers and immerse yourself in the lush greenery by taking one of these hiking trails head on.