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Hiking in Cape Town is a popular activity and provides some of the best
opportunities for getting the best views without the
crowds. Afton Grove Country Retreat is surrounded by
the Table Mountain National Park and provides the perfect
“home-base” for Cape Town hiking. Most of
the South Peninsula hikes are between 5 and 30 minutes
drive from the guesthouse.
Premium hiking sites abound in the area and can be
done independently or with a qualified guide. Hiking
with a guide will give you the opportunity to learn
more about the diversity, density of the fynbos vegetation,
birdlife, ecosphere and natural history of the region.
The Cape Floral Region is a UNESCO World Heritage site
due to its status as one of the richest areas for plants
in the world. Despite representing less than 0.5% of
the area of Africa, it is home to nearly 20% of the
continent’s flora. This world heritage site displays
outstanding ecological and biological processes associated
with the Fynbos vegetation, which is unique to the Cape
Floral Region
Afton Grove is a tranquil haven in close proximity
to some of the hiking trails mentioned below and as
with all our information this selection is by no means
a comprehensive list but does indicate some of our favourites
that are close to the guesthouse. For trustworthy advice
regarding the outdoor activities available in and around
the Noordhoek area, contact us today.
Cape Town Hikes near Afton Grove:
1. Silvermine Nature Reserve (10 mins drive)
2. Silvermine River Waterfall route (10 mins drive)
3. Kalk Bay Caves (15 minutes drive)
4. Peers Cave, Fish Hoek (10 minutes 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
Hiking trails less than 20 Minutes Drive from
Afton Grove:
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 Elephants
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 step 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 was the site of the 15 000 year old human remains
of “Fish Hoek Man” 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 in to 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 carpark 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 carpark just before the
top of Chapmans 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 Chapmans
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.
Afton Grove Hiking Tips and things to take
with you
We recommend getting a copy of Mike Lundy’s book:
“BEST WALKS in the Cape Peninsula.”
Advise someone of your expected departure, route and
arrival time and plan for emergency contact contingencies.
Make sure you know where you are going as the Cape
mountains can be very deceptive. Please check with your
hosts.
Because weather conditions are rather unpredictable,
take a sweater or windbreaker, even if the day is warm.
Either shorts or long pants, depending on the kind of
plant life you are walking through, will prevent your
legs from being scratched.
A good sunscreen (SPF 30+) is an effective antidote
to the unforgiving African sun.
Also bring a bathing costume or you'll be kicking yourself
when you find that perfect pool or that ideal strip
of beach.
And lastly always remember to take a water bottle.
TABLE MOUNTAIN - WHY YOU NEED A GUIDE
Table Mountain is a wilderness area, and can be extremely
dangerous.
Every year we see fatalities on the mountain caused
by people losing their way, falling and various other
accidents.
The mountain is a sacred space and there's nothing that
can ruin the experience as having to share it with a
thousand other tourists when doing the "usual"
routes. There are however hundreds of ways of climbing
the mountain, and our expert guides will share their
secret spots and knowledge with youWe offer various
grades of climbs, from simple walks ("A" grade
hikes), to "B", "C" and "D"
grade scrambles, right through to traditional climbs.
Whatever your skill level, we have something for you!
Security on the mountain is paramount and our guides
will ensure your safety at all times. Our guides have
thousands of hours of experience all over the mountain
and can pick routes best suited to your skill levels,
weather conditions on the day and various other factorsTable
Mountain forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site - our guides can educate you on
the incredibly diverse flora and fauna to be found.
Did you know that there are more verities of indigenous
plants in the Cape Floral Kingdom than in any other
place of the same size on the planet! There are almost
10 000 plant species in the Cape Floral Kingdom and
more than two-thirds of them can be found nowhere else
on Earth.
If you're a plant lover, why not join Warren, our flora
guru, for an adventure not to be missed. Warren can
guide you to specific orchids, for example the red disa
when it's in season, as part of your hike
For further information contact
Mark Johnstone on 083 336 6792
T el. 021 788 2641 or
email contact@tablemountainguides.com
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