Hikes around Cape Town

Hi everyone!

My trip to South Africa is getting closer (still 2 months to go 😏), and I’m diving back into my itinerary: from Saturday to the following Sunday around Cape Town, then from Sunday to the following Saturday in Kruger.

For Cape Town, the plan was to avoid changing accommodation every day (we’ll do enough of that in the second part) but still see different landscapes. I know, I’m missing out on a lot, but you’ve got to make choices, and after all this time, I know what I like—and especially what I don’t (or like less) 😉

Here’s the breakdown:

Arrival Saturday at 11 AM: heading to Hermanus (2 nights). The idea is to stroll along the cliff path in the afternoon, and possibly drive to the Klein River Lagoon. Sunday: Stony Point, then depending on time and weather, a hike in Kogelberg Nature Reserve or Fernkloof Nature Reserve (which seems less scenic but has shorter walks). Monday: drive to Franschhoek (1 night). If everything lines up, a hike in Jonkershoek NR and a visit to a wine estate. Tuesday: drive to Mountceder Lodge in the Cederberg (2 nights). I’m thinking of visiting the Stadsaal Caves and the elephant paintings, and maybe one of the hikes listed on the lodge’s site or Maltese Cross. Thursday: heading to Hout Bay for 3 nights. In no particular order: a classic day trip around the peninsula, half a day at Kirstenbosch Gardens, and half a day at Lion’s Head. Sunday: flight to Johannesburg.

My questions are mostly about (short) hikes: Has anyone here done hikes in Kogelberg, Fernkloof, or Jonkershoek? At Mountceder Lodge (Michel, if you’re reading this… 😉), has anyone tried the hikes (guided or not) offered by the lodge? There’s still half a day to fill when we’re in Hout Bay—any ideas (not necessarily hikes)?

Lastly, regarding safety: the French foreign ministry (always alarmist, but still) recommends hiking in groups. Is it really risky in broad daylight? (I’m not sure a group of two women counts as a "group"…)

Thanks in advance for your answers, ideas, and comments!

Maltese cross.

Especially since it's right next to the excellent Cederberg Winery. Come on, it's my round of sémillon—the landscapes will be even more spectacular! 😉

the landscapes will be even more spectacular! 😉

That’s not a given (if they’re blurry or doubled)! 😏

Hello! I might not have read everything properly, but when are you visiting Cape Town (Waterfront, Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, etc.)? And is the Cape of Good Hope on your list or not?

hi Muriel

Awesome plan!

After hiking for two weeks through the Cederberg—not starting from your lodge but on our own with a friend—I say go for it, it’s absolutely stunning!! The Stadsaal caves are gorgeous, everything is breathtaking there... Unless it’s too crowded with tourists.

We preferred staying with locals (San families) starting from Clanwilliam.

Happy planning and have a great trip!!

Yes, Bruno, you read everything right—I’m not planning to visit Cape Town itself 😜... simply because, if I had to choose, I’d rather explore what’s around the city than the city itself (generally, I’m not a big fan of cities; though if I had all the time in the world, why not—but that’s not the case here).

That said, I’ve got half a day left with nothing planned... but I’m wondering if it’s even worth it for just half a day.

Hi Christine, This message confirms my choice of Cederberg (I briefly considered De Hoop, but not for long 😏). Two days is short, and I’m crossing my fingers for the weather... and for "not too many tourists" 😉

hi again Muriel

I’ve never been to De Hoop, but I did spend several days in West Coast National Park—an absolute world-class gem… especially around Churchaven. Even more stunning is Namaqua National Park and the little coastal village of Kleinsee. Fingers crossed for sunshine and few tourists for you!!!

And good hope, in your notes or not?

Yes, yes, during the peninsula tour (Muizenberg, Boulder's Beach, Cape Point, and Cape of Good Hope, Chapman's Peak Drive). For once, it was me who didn’t read "everything properly" .

Hi MC The Staadsal Caves—yeah, the paintings—you can walk there or drive. Some people even leave their car at the entrance and do everything on foot. Weather dependent. At MC, they’ll tell you… It’s a spot I love. The hikes: An easy one with a guide—we set off in 4x4s, then walk on flat ground with the guide. Beautiful. Others without a guide—check the easy-hike site for more active options, but all are great. A slightly tougher one (but not too much) to reach the viewpoint that overlooks everything. No guide needed. You have to climb. There are steps and a trail. So, the caves and paintings, the climb, and… Take your time to wander around leisurely. I talk about it in several travel journals.

Just curious—where are you staying in MC? In Hermanus, you can walk for ages along the coast. A paved walkway runs along the cliff in the center. Restaurant in the center at the foot of the cliff by the water…+++ Hout Bay—hang out, the harbor, etc. Safety: During the day on non-isolated hikes, or late around Table Mountain—low risk. The overall schedule is packed…

Thanks, Michel, for the details. Of course, I’ve (re)read your travel journals to find info on the Cederberg, which isn’t talked about much here (especially lately).

For the hikes at Mount Ceder, I think we’ll decide on the spot. Their website says you have to book guided activities in advance. If there’s no space left, oh well! I’d asked them if the "sundowner" outing to the "rock art sites" was at Stadsaal, but they told me it was actually sites on their property... by any chance, have you done that one? We’ll be staying in the smallest unit (Leeustert).

The overall schedule is packed.

I didn’t find it *that* packed (at least on paper); the longest trip is to the Cederberg, but otherwise, everything’s pretty close. I noted Jonkershoek, but I’m not sure we’ll have time. We’d have needed 2 nights near Stellenbosch... and 3 at Mount Ceder 😏. But I wanted to go to Kruger... it’s always tricky making choices for a 2-week trip.

Plus, a lot of the planned activities depend on the weather—if it’s pouring rain, we won’t be doing a 3–4-hour hike.

I did a self-guided hike at Mountceder, but which one??? It was so long ago. I just checked my travel journal, but the name isn’t there. It was the one that leads to a rock painting.

The painted wall with the elephants is totally worth it.

Hi The walk they offer is hard on their site I did it solo a long time ago Cool The caves and paintings are a bit elsewhere On an official site Normally they should still be selling access Accommodation ok Apparently renovated since we stayed there a long time ago Simple but cool

I think we’ll definitely do the Stadaal Caves and the elephant paintings, and for the rest, we’ll decide once we’re there.