Hiking in Cape Town

Cape Town is for sure the number one city in South Africa. Even in Africa. There are so many things to do and see in this beautiful city. The thing is that people are thinking about Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, Cape Point, and even Robben Island when they are in Cape Town. However, the one thing that most people miss out on, is the different hiking trails that you can walk.

If you know Cape Town, you will realize that there are literally hundreds of trails that you can walk. Some are ideal for experts, while other trails are great for beginners and for families. It doesn’t matter which trail you are choosing at the end of the day. However, the one thing that you need to know is that you should at least walk one of these trails with friends and family.

Why is hiking in Cape Town so popular

There is one main reason why hiking in Cape Town is so popular.  This is because of the amazing nature that there is. The beauty that you will not find anywhere else in the world. You might think that you have seen more beautiful places, but if you are walking some of these hiking trails, then you will tell a different story.

Hiking to the top of Table Mountain is just an example of a hike that will give you a view that you will not forget ever again. Taking photos will give justice of the scenes that are going to see.

Easy hiking trails in and around Cape Town for beginners and families

One of the first things that people want to know is if there are any easy hiking trails in and around Cape Town for beginners and families.  This is the great thing about the different trails that you can get in and around the city. There are trails for everyone. For beginners and for experts.  These are the different trails that you can get that you can walk if you are a beginner, or if you want to walk with your whole family, children included.

The Pipe Track.  The Pipe track between Kloof Nek and Kasteelspoort is just the hiking trail that you need to walk when you are hiking with your whole family. The hike takes between 1 and 3 hours. It depends on how fast you are walking and if you are walking slowly and enjoying the nature scenes around you.

Kloof Corner. This is the shortest and easiest hiking trail that you can walk in and around Cape Town. This is a hike on Table Mountain and is only taking 40 minutes. It will give you a great view of Lion’s head from the mountain. This is a great and fast way to get to the top of the mountain, if you don’t want to take the cable cars and if you don’t want to hire for hours.

Cecilia Waterfall Hike. The Cecilia waterfall hike is a hike that is starting from the Cecilia Forest, just off Rhodes Drive. This is a three-hour hike if you are walking normal pace. If you are walking with children or enjoying the view, you might be walking a bit longer. This is an easy route, but you still need to have water and a snack with you for when you are getting hungry.

These are the top three easiest hikes that you can get in and around the city. However, this doesn’t mean that this is the only easy hiking trails that you can get. Most people that are walking with families are choosing one of these trails, because of the easiness of the hikes.

The top hiking trails in Cape Town that you should do

Besides the easy hiking trails around the city, there are also the top hiking trails in Cape Town that people and tourists love to do. These are hiking trails that are going to give you the best views and the best hiking experience. The only thing that you need to know is that some of these top hiking trails aren’t for younger children or people that aren’t that fit or unhealthy.

Hiking Trail to Lion’s head. The hiking trail to Lion’s head starts at Signal Hill Road and end up on top of Lion’s head. Giving you a view of 669 m above sea level. A great view over part of Cape Town and the mountains. This is quite a steep hike, but it isn’t that difficult.

Table Mountain hikes. This is the great thing about the different hiking trails to Table Mountain. There is more than one hiking trail that you can take. More than one difficulty levels. Different distances. Making sure that you are choosing the one that is going to be best for you.  While you hike to the top of the mountain, you can look at the fauna and flora on the mountain that is looking different from other areas in and around Cape Town.

Newlands Forest. This is one of the most beautiful hiking trails that you can choose from around the city. The Newland forest trail starts Eastern slopes of Table Mountain. However, there is actually more than one hiking trail that you can choose from in the Newlands Forest.  But one thing is the same. The area is beautiful and you will feel like you will walk for hours just to enjoy the greenery and other scenery.

Hiking trails that aren’t as popular, but still great to walk

The think about the different hiking trails is that there is a large variety of them. Some are popular and everyone wants to hike these hiking trails. However, there are some trails that aren’t that popular, but just because people don’t know it. This doesn’t mean that these hiking trails aren’t beautiful or worth the walk.

• Wally’s Cave. This is a 20 to 30 minutes hike but has steep hills that you need to climb
• Devil’s Peak. This is an hour and 45 minutes hike. However, don’t let the time fool you. This is a difficult hike and you need to be fit in order to get to the top.
• India Venster. A four-hour trip, and about 10 kilos. A secret hiking trail that you should take time for if you are fit enough. It isn’t that difficult, but because of the steeper paths, it might be difficult for some people.

Other hiking options that you should consider

You know now the easiest hiking trails, the trails for the more experienced people and then those trails that people don’t really know about. But, is this really all the hiking trails that you can find in the city? No, these are just a few between all the different hiking trails. Here are some of the trails that you can also consider.

• Kalk Bay Amphitheatre hiking trail
• Kirstenbosch to Constantia Nek
• Cape Point trail
• Beach hike from Noordhoek to Kommetjie

Tips and rules when hiking in and around Cape Town

There are reports of people getting seriously hurt during these trails. Or they are getting lost because they go off the track. These are some of the tips and rules to remember when you are hiking in and around Cape Town.

• Don’t ever hike alone and make sure that you watch the weather. The weather can change at any moment.
• Tell somebody that you are going hiking, and tell them when and where you are going to hike. And who you are going to take with you.
• Don’t touch the animals that you are seeing while you are hiking. Don’t litter and don’t damage the fauna and flora. You can get into serious trouble.
• Whatever you do, you don’t go off the path. Too many people have been lost on these trails where emergency people should start looking for them. Don’t make the same mistake. Don’t go off the path of your hiking trail.
• Take water, snacks and your phone with you. You might not know when you might need to contact somebody immediately. The water and snacks are to make sure that you don’t go hungry while you are hiking.
• Wearing the right clothing. This is essential. You want to wear light-colored clothing and you need to wear head protection as well. Even if you think that the weather isn’t dangerously hot. You will not know what the weather will make later in the day.
• Enjoy every minute of it. You should take some and enjoy the nature around you. Make sure that you are enjoying the hiking trail that you chose.

Hiking in the Cape Town area is great. This is something that you will be able to enjoy, no matter what your fitness level is and if you are a professional hiker and if you are just someone who wants to enjoy a family outing, out in nature. With this information, you will know for sure which hike you should consider and if you can walk with family or not. No matter what you choose, you will have the best possible fun with family and friends.