Devils Peak the easy way

Hiking Trail: Devils Peak (via the Saddle - not the Saddle Ravine as stated previously)
Name of Reserve / Area: Table Mountain National Park
Nearest Town: Cape Town
Province: Western Cape
Country: South Africa

Duration of hike: 4 hours

Directions to get there: From Cape Town CBD, take Buitengracht Road, the one road that goes straight up to the cable way and becomes Kloofnek Road. At the top of the road, just before you cross over into Camps Bay, turn left into Tafelberg Road. This road hugs the mountain, which if you drive along it all the way, eventually becomes a dead end. Drive pass the Cable Way house on your right and follow the road for another 3km. Pass Platteklip gorge parking and soon you will find another parking area and a sign directing you to the start of Devils Peak.



Best time of year to go: Anytime

What costs did you incur to do this hike: none

How safe is it: Fairly safe. There are no exposed areas which need to be climbed. Its all straight forward walking. Take a mace spray with you at all times.

Fresh Water: The stream above runs almost all year, but its always recommended that you carry sufficient water along with you.

Difficulty: Moderate. A fit person can climb to the top in about 1 hour. We climbed for about an hour and half, taking it easy and enjoying the photo opportunities it provided along the way.

Pets: Allowed. Always make sure you also cater for your pets when hiking on the mountain. They also need regular refueling like you do. The paths can give their paws deep painful blisters if the day is very hot.

How will I rate this hike? Since May this year, I have done this hike about 6 times from all different angles. This route, via Tafelberg Road is the easiest one. Each route up this mountain is really awesome.



This hike starts with a steep climb up zig-zag steps leading to the Contour path above.



Once you reach the contour path, take a sharp left at this sign indicating the route towards Oppelskop and Devils Peak.



Climb more steep steps for another 10 minutes and soon the path will flatten out until you reach the Saddle (The Saddle is the section which connects Table Mountain with Devils Peak.)





At the Saddle the path will reach a T-junction. Left will take you around the front of Devils Peak - which is not where you want to go now. Take a right and follow the path up and towards the on coming stream. The stream is your path for a short while. Walk for about 10 minutes along the stream and then reach another 3 way path. This time turn left and start walking upwards towards Devils Peak.





I am always in awe about the beautiful views this mountain has to offer us. Once we reached the top we strolled around all 3 beacons and then went to find some shelter from the cold wind to enjoy our picnic and well deserved coffee.







Below is an image of Alex looking down onto the Knifes Edge. This is the first route that we ever took to climb Devils Peak. It was an incredibly hard climb and at times very exposed. Again, we were entertained by the breathtaking views of the Knifes Edge from all directions.

Looking down onto our return path, one can see the zig-zag path on the side of Table Mountain leading towards the Contour Path. Tafelberg Road is also clearly seen in the image below.



This little river had the most beautiful tiny waterfalls along the way. We followed the river down towards the Contour path again.





We often forget to stop and enjoy the views. Today we took it easy and consumed every special moment this walk could offer us.



The zig-zag path will take you back to where you parked your car in the road below.



The image below is just a FYI. I have been noticing many stones lately WITHOUT the direction plates on them. Are they being stolen or are these stones waiting for direction plates? Does anyone have any idea, as I would be very sad if its the former.



Photos: Alex Aitkenhead

As always, thanks Alex! I love working with your pictures.

A pleasurable easy stroll through Constantia area - De Hel trail

Hiking Trail: De Hel
Name of Reserve / Area: Greater Constantia area
Nearest Town: Constantia, Houtbay, Tokai
Province: Western Cape
Country: South Africa

Duration of hike: 1 hour 30 min (about 4km, this is a semi circular walk)

Directions to get there: From Cape Town CBD, take the the M3 south towards Muizenberg. Turn right into Rhodes Drive. Follow this scenic windey road until you get to a circle in the road. This is known as Constantia Nek. Turn left and drive down into Constantia Main Road. About 750 meters from the circle, you will find a small car park on your left. This marks the start of your walk onto the De Hel trail.




Best time of year to go: Any time is good. This path is covered with thick forest and schrubs and makes for a comfortable walk on a hot summers' day.

What costs did you incur to do this hike: none

How safe is it: As always, I make sure I have some sort of protection. In this case, my only source of protection was my man and his doggie Zues, the 5 year old doberman. Lucky for me, Alex remembered to bring his pepper spray and his shocker too. I was covered from all bases. I would not take this walk on my own though.

Fresh Water: The little stream along the way provided a good supply of water for the pooch, but we did find a runners' fountain right at the end of the walk by Southern Cross Drive.

Difficulty: very easy stroll. Great walk for beginners, elderly and your fat lazy / old doggie.




Pets: Allowed (fat ones, thin ones, old ones, the works!)


From the car-park, turn right at the De Hel signpost and follow the narrow path down into the beautiful valley.

(the above image was taken along this route, and can be saved as a wall-paper if u wish to do so)

Soon the path will make a sharp turn to the left and eventually you will find yourself walking next to the stream below.





Ignore the first wooden footbridge crossing over the stream on your left...



...as well as a large fallen tree over the stream , just a few meters further.



Both these offer paths to our destination at the top, but do keep right and continue to enjoy the scenery until you find the second wooden footbridge at the bottom of the path. This is a great spot to sit and enjoy a relaxing picnic whilst hearing the water flow below and the birds chirping above. Turn left and cross over the stream onto the wooden footbridge.



Soon after you have crossed over the second wooden footbridge, the path will fork again.

You have a choice of going left - the easy stroll to the top, or right over a third wooden footbridge - which is a more fairly difficult inclined walk with some steep steps to the top.


We took the more easier option going left and followed the narrow path up the hill.



Either one of these routes will take you in about 10 minutes to the jeep track above.



Turn right at the jeep track and follow the almost level gravel path all the way to the end of this route at Southern Cross Drive.



Here you will also find a water fountain for you and your pooch to enjoy some fresh cold drinking water.



Turn back and retrace your steps all the way until you get to the path you just came up from. Ignore going back down the path, but continue walking along the jeep track. This jeep track will bring you back to where you parked your car in Constantia Main Road.



How will I rate this hike? It was not the most spectacular I have been on, but I rate it as a must do. If you need some time out from your hiking due to an injury or ill health, this walk will be a pleasure to use as a 'get-back-into' things again.

 Easy Walks in the Cape Peninsula