Cape town in South Africa tourism and things to do and activities,includes Cape Town and surrounding towns local activities including hiking, quad biking, extreme adventures, hings to do, outdoor adventures and activities in V&A Waterfront, Greenpoint, Cape Town City Centre, Clifton, Constantia, Hout Bay, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Simons Town, Boulders,Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Camps Bay, and the wine routes of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek
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ALPHEN |
ALPHEN TRAIL AND DE HEL WALK
Both trails start at Alphen Hotel.
Hohenhort Road, off M41/M3 (near Cellars Hohenhort Country House Hotel) |
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BELLVILLE |
TYGERBERG NATURE RESERVE
Renosterveld with small dams, and an 8km hiking trails with scenic views, with 115 bird species and picnic facilities.
On the N1 |
Cape FLATS NATURE RESERVE
Private nature reserve with coastal fynbos and standveld. Modderdam Road, via N2 or Voortrekker Road |
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BOULDERS |
WILLIS WALKS, SEAFORTH TO BOULDERS
Gentle walk along the coast. Wooden walkaway onto Foxy Beach. Viewing of African penguins at Boulders |
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| CAPE TOWN |
TABLE MOUNTAIN
Table Mountain can be accessed via a funicular to the top. Among the more popular from the Cape Town side are Platteklip Gorge (starting from Tafelberg Road) and the Pipe Track (starting from Kloof Nek) via Kloof Nek Road (M62) and Tafelberg Road |
LION'S HEAD
Spectacular walk through mountain fynbos with silver trees to the top of Lion's Head (669m high). Access to the steep section at the top is facilitated by steel ladders.
via Kloof Nek Road (M62) and Signal Hill Road (park at the gum trees 500m after the intersection) |
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CLOVELLY |
SILVERMINE RIVER TRAIL
Pleasant daily trail; 150 bird and 22 mammal species recorded. South side of the Silvermine estuary at the bridge on Main Road (M4) |
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CONSTANTIA |
CONSTANTIA NEK
Start of various walks on Table Mountain including contour paths and route to the top. Start of walks up Vlakkenberg (to the South).
M41/M63 |
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DURBANVILLE |
| DURBANVILLE NATURE RESERVE
Mountain fynbos and renosterveld with rare species. Indigenous plant nursery. Birdwatching, picnicking 27km north of Cape Town on the N1 |
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FISH HOEK |
JAGER'S WALK
Pleasant stroll along the "Catwalk" to Sunny Cove via Main Road (M4) and from Fish Hoek beach |
PEER'S CAVE
Nine Stone Age burial sites were discovered in this cave by Bertie Peers in 1927. Of these, the "Fish Hoek Man" has been dated at 12 000 years old.
via 21st Avenue, Fish Hoek or Ou Kaapseweg (M64) |
ELSIE'S PEAK
Panoramic views from walks to the top.via The Outspan on Kommertjie Road, or Hillside Road/Highway |
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GORDON'S BAY |
| DANIE MILLER HIKING TRAIL
Scenic mountains hike (7km). The trail from Aurora Drive to the landmark of Gordon's Bay anchor. Off Aurora Drive |
STEENBRAS RIVER VALLEY TRAIL
Mountain and coastal catchment area, pine plantations. Steenbras Dam and River Gorge with trail down to the coast. Booking and permit required for trail and accomodation. Access from Clarence Drive (R44) and Steenbras River mouth |
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| HOUT BAY |
HOUT BAY MUSEUM
Enviro Centre offers guided tours for school groups and guided weekend walks.
4 Andrews Road |
THE SENTINEL (KARBONKELBERG) |
Scenic walk to the summit (800m) of the mountain that guards the entrance to the bay.
via Bay View Road above the harbour |
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KALK BAY |
BOYES DRIVES
cenic walking along pavement. Also access to the Kalk bay mountains in Silvermine Nature Reserve (Echo Valley).
Off Main Road (M4), Kalk Bay or Lakeside |
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KOMMETJIE |
KOMMETJIE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS GROUP
Guided beach and mountain walks; lectures and slide shows. |
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KUILS RIVER AND STELLENBOSCH |
VINEYARD TRAIL
Full day's ramble, best in autumn or spring. The longest trail takes the hiker or biker through a series of hills and ridges. It is one of the most scenic and historic wine farming districts in the country. Permits obtained from Stellenbosch Publicity Association. |
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MELKBOOSSTRAND |
KOEBERG PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE
Coastal beach vegetation and dune fynbos, wetlands and saltmarsh. Grysbok Hiking Trail (2-3km) starts at the Visitor's Information Centre. The Dikkop Trail (8-13km) starts north of the main gate (first obtain a key at the Visitor's Centre). Panoramic views of Table Mountain. North of Melkbosstrand on the R27 Booking for the trails can be done at the Koeberg Visitor Centre at telephone no: (021) 550-4021 office hours |
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MILNERTON |
Trail from Milnerton lighthouse to Table View beachfront
(7km). via Woodbridge Island |
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| MOWBRAY |
RHODES MEMORIAL
Many walks include access to the top of Table Mountain via Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine (both fairly strenous), and popular contour path from Constantia Nek to Rhodes Memorial and around the front of Table Mountain. Unique Braille Trail through the forest, with guide ropes and Braille signboards. Off Union Drive (M63) |
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| MUIZENBERG |
ST JAMES TO MUIZENBERG
Concrete walkaway along the rocky shore. |
ZANDVLEI BIRD SANCTUARY
Scenic walks for the whole family around the many waterways.Off Promenade Road
Booking through Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary is required to enter the Zandvlei sanctuary, which is home to some 130 species. |
MUIZENBERG PEAK
Access via stone steps on Boyes Drive above Muizenberg, or Silvermine Nature Reserve on Ou Kaapseweg (M64), eastern entrance. Peak is 507m high. (M64) |
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NEWLANDS |
CECELIA FOREST
Contour paths through plantations and forests, links with Kirstenbosch and Constantia Nek. Waterfalls, mountain fynbos. Managed by SAFCOL. via Rhodes Drive (M63) |
NEWLANDS FOREST
Cool forest walks. One of the trails leads to the ruins of Paradise Cottage, retreat of Lord and Lady Anne Barnardt. Off Rhodes Drive (M63) |
JOSEPHINE WATER MILL AND MUSEUM
Guided walks along the Liesbeeck River, booking essential. Boundary Road |
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| NOORDHOEK |
SUNBIRD ENVIRONMENTAL RECREATION CENTRE |
Guided walks, adventure activities. Facilities for hire. Silvermine Road, off Ou Kaapseweg (M64) |
CHAPMANS PEAK
Panoramic views and mountain fynbos. The drive is temporarily closed for repairs. Contact the nearest tourist info office for details on the reopening of this scenic route.
via Chapman's Peak Drive (M6) |
NOORDHOEK BEACH
Spacious beach for long walks. via Avondrust and Beach Roads |
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PINELANDS |
| ELSIESKRAAL WALKAWAY
Three kilometres on either side of the Liesbeeck River. via Liesbeeck Parkway |
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| RONDEVLEI |
RONDEVLEI NATURE RESERVE, GRASSY PARK
Coastal beach vlei habitat. The only hippopotami in the Western Cape occur in the vlei but are very secretive (look out for signs of their tracks or dung at the water's edge). Waterside Trail is a gentle walk of one kilometre (suitable for small children) with five bird hides and observation towers. Good birding. Access for wheelchairs. Information centre with excellent bird display.
via Prince George's Drive (M5) and Victoria Road |
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SIMON'S TOWN |
Cape OF GOOD HOPE NATURE RESERVE, SOUTH OF SIMON'S TOWN
Mountain fynbos, good birding, animal life. Walking on roads and along demarcated pathways. Many attractive day walks; new two-day hiking trail around the tip of the Peninsula (booking required). Funicular to the lighthouse. Information centre, maps and brochures.
72 km from Cape Town via the M4 or M65 - part of the Cape Peninsula National Park |
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SIR LOWRY'S PASS |
| CANNON AND WHEEL TRACKS HIKING TRAILS
No permit required Starts opposite Steenbras Dam entrance, on Sir Lowry's Pass. |
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SOMERSET WEST |
| HEDELBERG FARM HIKING TRAIL
Hiking in the foothills of the Helderberg mountains. Picnicking and overnight facilities. R44 (between Somerset West and Stellenbosch) |
LOURENS RIVER TRAIL
Easy walks along the banks of the Lourens River, a protected natural area Via Main Street |
HELDERBERG NATURE RESERVE
Mountain fynbos. Streams and small dams. Good birding, smaller animals. Variety of colour-coded day walks. Restaurant and picnic facilities. Via Main Street and Lourensford Road |
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| STELLENBOSCH |
BANHOEK
Day walk 11km/1 day; average; circular; 24 persons max; Enquiries: Cape Nature Conservation Tel: + 27 (0)21 886-5858 Fax: + 27 (0)21 886-6575 |
PANORAMA
Day walk 17km/1 day; circular; 24 persons max Enquiries: Cape Nature Conservation Tel: + 27 (0)21 886-5858 Fax: + 27 (0)21 886-6575 Web: |
Swartboskloof Day walk
19km/1 day camp site; 24 persons max Enquiries: Cape Nature Conservation Tel: + 27 (0)21 886-5858 Fax: + 27 (0)21 886-6575 |
Day walk
Day walk Closest Town: Stellenbosch 7, 15 or 24km/ 3 hours-1 day average circular overnight facilities; 40 persons max;
Enquiries: Stellenbosch Publicity Association Tel: + 27 (0)21 883-9633 Fax: + 27 (0)21 883-8017 |
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STRAND |
| DICK DENT BIRD SANCTUARY
Sanctuary has a bird hide for ornithologists and photographers. Off Victoria/Broadway Street |
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TOKAI |
SILVERMINE NATURE RESERVE
Various hiking trails: On the eastern side, Silvermine river and waterfall, walks on Muizenberg, Steenberg and Kalk Bay mountains; on the western side, Panorama Circuit, access to Elephants Eye Cave, Tokai lookout, Hout Bay viewsite and Noordhoek Ridge lookout. Shady picnic sites on the western side.
22km from Cape Town on the Ou Kaapseweg (M64) from Tokai - part of the Cape Peninsula National Park |
TOKAI FOREST
Pine and gum forests with arboretum (living tree museum). Mountain fynbos, good birding. Steep walk up to Elephant's Eye Cave on Constantiaberg, panoramic views. Also self-guided walk with map. via Tokai Road, off M3 |
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| TSITSIKAMMA |
TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK OTTER TRAIL
The age allowed is between 12 to 65 years. A fair degree of fitness is required as there are some steep sections, which together with a backpack can become tiring, especially after a few hours of hiking. One must be prepared to hike up to 13 kilometers a day, over rough terrain, steep ascents and descents and under any weather conditions .Distances and Durations The trail is 5 days and 4 nights. The following distances and durations are as follows:
Day 1 = 4.8 km (± 2 hours)
Day 2 = 7.9 km (± 4 hours)
Day 3 = 7.7 km (± 4 hours)
Day 4 = 13.8 km (± 6 hours)
Day 5 = 6.8 km (± 3 hours)
Total Distance = 42.5 km
Tel: +27 12 426 5111 Fax: +27 12 343 0905 Bookings |
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There is an abundance of hiking trails and hiking tours in and around Cape town in South Africa including Greenpoint, Clifton, Constantia, Hout Bay, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Simons Town, Boulders,Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Camps Bay, and the wine routes of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek |
