Cape Peninsula Hikes – Walksinafrica

Guided hikes on the Cape Peninsula

Selected hikes over one or two days that are easy to access when staying in Cape Town

Price on application

Here are our top picks for day hikes on the Cape Peninsula, all easily accessed from city accommodation. All our hikes are privately led by guides we know and trust, who will look after you properly and engage you. You’ll be collected from and dropped back to your accommodation, and packed lunches are provided.

Please note that we only arrange day hikes with accommodation either side – take advantage of our insider knowledge on where to stay and rest assured that we have trade rates agreements that ensure that you don’t pay a premium for this service. Day hikes also form part of our longer self-drive itineraries in the Cape which are aimed at walkers.

highlights

Beautiful mountain settings overlooking two oceans
Unique mix of mountain and coastal walking
See the startling Cape Floral Kingdom close up
Hikes are very accessible from Cape Town
Easy to get away from other hikers
Opportunities to spot whales in season

The hikes we recommended are endorsed by local guides and focus on the northern section of the Table Mountain National Park and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where hiking is both safe and exquisite.

selected hikes on the cape peninsula (south)

CAPE POINT to SMITSWINKEL BAY

A beautiful day hike and a great way to enjoy the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve without having to mingle with the hordes of day visitors at Cape Point, except from the obligatory stop and look when you set out. Once on trail, enjoy a wonderful coastal and mountain path, which drops to a secluded beach at Buffels Bay (an alternative starting point which halves the walking distance) before climbing over the distinctive Farmers’ peaks of Paulsberg, Die Boer and Judas. The Cape floral kingdom is on maximum display here and there are usually good chances to spot whales in season (June to December; best September and October). A highly recommended walk.

SMITSWINKEL BAY to SIMONSTOWN

This excellent mountain hike passes over private land, for which permitted access was granted in recent years. The route commences with a haul up the relatively steep Smitswinkel Buttress leading onto the ridge of the Swartkop mountains. This is relatively strenuous and there is some very mild scrambling and exposure. Once on the ridge proper, you climb steadily upwards along an undulating ridge path that leads through some high stands of vegetation – the path is clear, but rough and uneven in places. Eventually, you’ll make a short, steep climb to the top of Swartkop (Flagstaff Hill, 678m), the prominent peak that looms directly over Simonstown. A winding path, which is rough and rocky in places, then saps your strength further as it cuts inexorably down to the town.

These two hikes at the southern end of the Cape Peninsula can be walked as single day hikes or combined to make a linear 2-day hike commencing at Cape Point and ending in Simonstown, with a night spent in Smitswinkel Bay Tented Camp. This camp was built as a Hoerikwaggo Trail Camp and is walk-in and walk-out.

selected hikes on the cape peninsula (north)

SILVERMINE to CONSTANTIA NEK (via Blackburn Ravine)

Following a gentle trundle from Silvermine Dam, spectacular views over Hout Bay are revealed at the ridge. These continue as you descend Blackburn Ravine and follow the superb contour path that runs below the Constantiaberg, which has some good situations and commands continuously lovely views. Continue north up and over scenic Vlakkenberg, before dropping down steeply to Contstantia Nek. A circular route over the skyline path and Noordhoek Peak above Silvermine also makes an excellent day hike and avoids awkward logistics.

CONSTANTIA NEK to CAPE TOWN (via Table Mountain)

Constantia Nek is an access point to Table Mountain from the south, via Disa Gorge. This is a lovely approach through the Orangekloof restricted area (access via permit) that gives a very different perspective on Table Mountain and great views back through to the Constantiaberg and Hout Bay. Disa Gorge is a hidden, ethereal world of vibrant indigenous forest tucked away beneath the craggy outcrops of the Twelve Apostles. The route leads up to the wall of the Woodhead dam (1897), then via the Valley of the Red Gods across the back table to the top of Table Mountain. Those interested in history and engineering will be captivated by the late C19th damming and watercourse schemes – you can even descend into the blackness of the Apostles Tunnel.

These two hikes at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula can either be walked as single day hikes or combined to make a linear 2-day hike commencing at Silvermine and ending at the lower cable car station below Table Mountain. On the 2-day hike, you have the choice of staying in either upmarket self-catering cottages (the guide will cater) or a 4-star hotel at Constantia Nek, meaning you can walk-in and walk-out. Alternatively, you can stay further afield, even the city, and be shuttled between your accommodation and the trail heads.