Noordhoek plays home to some popular hiking trails and provides some of the best opportunities for getting the best views without the crowds. Most of the South Peninsula hikes are between 5 and 30 minutes drive from Noordhoek.
Noordhoek Hiking Trails:
1. Silvermine Nature Reserve (10 mins drive)
2. Silvermine River Waterfall route (10 mins drive)
3. Kalk Bay Caves (15 mins drive)
4. Peers Cave, Fish Hoek (10 mins drive)
5. Cape of Good Hope
6. A sandy walk to the Kom
7. Elsies Peak
8. Chapman’s Peak
9. Walking with baboons, Glencairn
Noordhoek Hiking Trails within 20 minutes drive:
Silvermine Nature Reserve
This enjoyable, all-seasons hike takes you through rare indigenous forest to the most splendid viewing positions surveying the peninsula. The route along the central stream takes you to a mountain reservoir which has its own sense of peace and tranquillity.
You can follow these amazing views towards the Constantiaberg with a retreat into a well-known cave known as the Elephant’s Eye.
Silvermine River Waterfall.
Opposite the entrance to the Silvermine Nature Reserve is the entrance to the Waterfall route. During winter this route is a must as the volume of water that pours over the waterfall is impressive. The route is really a circular jeep track that touches the mountain edges above Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek. There is no strenuous effort required and the area is very tranquil. A pleasant light walk of 75 mins round trip.
For an experienced specialist guide for Silvermine, contact:
Mandi on 083 269 6544
Tel. 021 789 2707 or
email mandicramer@mweb.co.za
Kalk Bay Caves
This is one of the best hikes in the peninsula and features a short steep hike of about 4km. You start directly above Kalk Bay harbour, on the scenic Boyes Drive and look for the Echo Valley sign which will lead you up to six caves. The caves are safe and well-ventilated but take torches, old clothes and some string as they are sandstone caves with sandy floors. An unusual diversion is to go into Boomslang Cave which is a short distance of about 100 metres but literally goes completely through the mountain, with most adults having to crawl the last 10 metres.
Peers Cave, Fish Hoek
This short, easy stretch above the dunes in Fish Hoek will take you to Peers Cave, one of Fish Hoek’s most important sites. Walking up takes about 20 minutes. This is the site where the 15 000 year old human remains of “Fish Hoek Man” were found in 1927 by Victor and Bertram Peers. The cave is now a national monument and affords wonderful views across the valley and a peep into stone-age history. Parking can be found on 21st Avenue, Fish Hoek.
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is the south-westernmost point of Africa in the Table Mountain National Park. Enjoy a short walk along the hiking trail from the car park in front of the sign to the top of the mountain. The walk is less than 1km but fairly steep with phenomenal views and the bonus of arriving at the original lighthouse.
Cape Point Nature Reserve
For those with more stamina, hiking in the Cape Point Nature Reserve involves a good six hours of rambling through unspoiled flora and fauna, juxtaposed by beautiful beaches and a welcome sense of remoteness. There are many trails in the park, beautiful beaches and cliff areas to explore as well as spotting antelope, over 1200 species of vegetation and birds such as the Cape Siskin and Cape Sugarbird.
A Sandy Walk to the Kom
Starting along Noordhoek Beach, this scenic beach walk takes you past the wreck of the Kakapo, an unfortunate ship that steamed onto the beach in the early 1900’s. Meandering around the next corner reveals Bokram beach, a surfers’ hideaway close to the quiet resort village of Kommetjie. Further still is a tall lighthouse marking a rocky outcrop known as Slangkoppunt. A superb place to see the sunset.
Elsies Peak
This is a great walk if you are looking for something moderate and not too strenuous. Climb up the steps adjacent to the car park on Kommetjie road onto the open mountain. The walk is steep in places but well-defined with great views of Fish Hoek. The view over False Bay gets better as you reach the summit with panoramic vistas of Simon’s Town and Glencairn. Approximately 2 hour hike.
Chapman’s Peak
This walk is easier than it looks and takes about 2 and half hours round trip. The car park just before the top of Chapman’s Peak Drive is your starting-point. There is a short steep start that deposits you on a flat plateau with lots of proteas and birds. Fabulous views of Hout Bay as you round the first peak, then suddenly Chapman’s Peak pops into view and a final assault up the saddle gives you views across to Fish Hoek and even Gordon’s Bay on a clear day.
Walking with Baboons
Contact: Jenni
Tel: +27 21 782 2015
Email: jennit@cybersmart.co.za
www.baboonmatters.org.za
For a hike with a difference contact Baboon Matters to walk with the last remaining Chacma baboons on the Cape Peninsula. You will be guided through mountain fynbos on a specialized walking tour for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit and watch these fascinating animals as they eat, play and socialize. The experience lasts between 2 and 3 hours depending on the location of the baboons.
Whatever your skill level, Noordhoek offers hiking that provides the more gentle options for the family through to the more demanding.
If you are looking to purchase property in Noordhoek or the broader Cape Town area, contact Marco today and discover for yourself how a buyers’ consultancy could benefit you.
Our Noordhoek buyers’ consultant, Marco Garuti, can be contacted by e-mail here or by
telephoning + 27 (0) 83 2658800
