This short summit offers panoramic views of Cape Town and unbeatable sunsets. It’s a popular route to do on nights where there’s a full moon. If you’re relatively fit, you’ll find yourself at the top quite quickly, which is why it’s such a popular after-work hike. There’s a little bit of climbing involved, but there are handholds and chains to help you on your way up and down. You can also take the roundabout way, which skips the climbing part if you are walking with small children or dogs.
Number of routes: Two routes
Difficulty: Moderate
Known for its popularity among locals and tourists, Skeleton Gorge is a scenic trek not rivalled by many. Ideal in dry conditions, this hike is great for both the seasoned and novice hiker. During the summer months you’ll be able to get some shade along the Afromontane forest nearly all the way up Skeleton Gorge. Bear in mind that this hike can get quite strenuous so be prepared to really work those muscles, and take the necessary safety precautions.
Number of routes: Two routes
Difficulty: Moderate
This hike, around the famed La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek, is truly a feast for the eyes. Just an hour's drive out of Cape Town, this route invites you to enjoy all the flora and fauna the region has to offer. This guided walk will lead you past the picturesque vineyards of La Motte and up through the surrounding mountain range where you can see some of the indigenous plant and wildlife the winery is making a concerted effort to protect. Once you're done, reward yourself with wine tasting or a meal at Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant.
Number of routes: One
Difficulty: Moderate
The beach and rocks at Kommetjie offer some good fishing for Galjoen during winter and Silver Kob during the summer months. Use a medium ledger or strayline rig and white mussel, red bait or pilchard as bait. The coastline here is popular for gathering crayfish from the rocks and gullies and also offshore angling.
Expected Catch: Galjoen, Silver Kob (Kabeljou)
Best season to fish this spot: Winter, Spring
Bait/Softbait used: White Mussel, Red Bait, Pilchard
Please take care when fishing off the at Rooikrans, East Cape Peninsula. The area is well known to produce big Yellowtail for the patient angler. Use a live bait rig the with bait either positioned a couple of meters from the ocean floor or about 1.5 meters under the surface (balloon rig). The use of spinners or flies also regularly produce good results.
Expected Catch: Yellowtail (Geelstert)
Best season to fish this spot: Winter, Spring
Bait/Softbait used: Live Bait, Spinners, Flies
The Platboom Beach in the Cape Peninsula offers some good fishing for Galjoen during winter and Silver Kob during the summer months. Use a medium ledger or strayline surfcasting rig and white mussel, red bait or pilchard as bait. The coastline here is popular for gathering crayfish from the rocks and gullies and also offshore angling.
Expected Catch: Galjoen, Silver Kob (Kabeljou)
Best season to fish this spot: Winter, Spring
Bait/Softbait used: White Mussel, Red Bait, Pilchard
Rocklands is found in the Cederberg mountains 250km/3 hours north of Cape Town. It is a very beautiful area in a semi-desert setting, very isolated and very safe. Rocklands is undoubtedly famous for it's world class bouldering but this should not deter you from sampling the fine sport climbing. There is a large variety of quality climbing of all grades in both bouldering and sport climbing. All the sport routes are single pitch and you will have to do a small amount of walking to get to the different areas.
Permits: R60/day per person or R270/week per person
You need a valid permit for bouldering activity which is obtainable from the Kliphuis campsite office
There are many high quality traditional rock climbs just below the summit of Table Mountain. It offers +/-200 multi pitch routes, up to 11 pitches, with grades ranging from 9 to 32 so there's something for everyone. Table Mountain is probably the first thing you notice as you drive or fly into Cape Town. It is "mesa" that stands ominously above the city. It offers excellent trad climbing with incredible views to go with it.
Permits: No permits are needed
Table Mountain is a National Monument, hence no bolting is allowed
The huge granite rock is formed by three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain and is the second largest granite outcrop in the world and forms part of the Nature Reserve. Few towns have been blessed as Paarl has with an area of unspoiled natural beauty at its doorstep. The picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation is dominated by massive rounded granite rocks set among ancient wild olives, rock candle woods and wagon trees.
Permits: Adults - R16.00 | Children Younger than 12 - free
Vehicle entry: R48.00
Remember, there are no shops on the reserve, so bring along your own fire wood, grid and supplies.
Roughly 100 kilometres from Cape Town lies this tranquil campsite tucked in the Winterhoek Mountains. Here, there’s no shortage of peace, quiet and spectacular views.
Activities: This campsite has it’s own private spring-water swimming pool, so there’s loads of dipping to be had. Expect an abundance of fynbos, hiking trails, waterfalls and rockpools. And if you’re adventurous enough, go ziplining in nearby Ceres.
Location : Winterhoek West, Tulbagh, Cape Town, Western cape
Tucked away in the Groot Winterhoek Mountains above Porterville, this charming no-fuss campsite epitomises the great outdoors in all its rugged majesty.
Activities: Enjoy a wide variety of dog-friendly hiking trails up the Groot Winterhoek Mountains followed by a dip in one of the rockpools and waterfalls. You might even stumble upon some of the area’s famed rock art. There are also some great mountain-biking trails for intrepid travellers.
Location: Beaverlac, Porterville, South Africa
A collection of camping villages on the banks of the Olifants River, surrounded by lush green lawns and mountainous terrain. What’s more, the tents are erected on your behalf, saving you the trouble of lugging around heavy camping gear and making for a more comfortable camping adventure that borders on glamping.
Activities: The Citrusdal Valley is a favoured destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with numerous hiking and mountain-biking trails that can be found at the campsite, or on surrounding farms (including the famous Wolfberg Arch Trail). Canoes can be hired at Wolfkop for use in the rivers and dams spread throughout Citrusdal, and there’s a river at the Biesievlak Campsite where fishing is allowed.
Location: Wolfkop Camping Villages, Citrusdal, N7