Romantic Hiking Spots near Cape Town

Happy Valentines' Day!

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(Saturday 14 February)

Valentines day is falling on a Saturday this year. I predict that there will be lots of money spent on this day (or weekend) for people who are planning to entertain and spoil their partner.

If you are worried about your budget, herewith a few very romantic spots which you can take your date to for a nice romantic picnic and or a beautiful walk that will fit any budget.

1. Echo Valley

This romantic spot is located at the lower end of the Echo Valley Board walk, situated close to Kalk Bay and Muizenberg.

See Hiking Boomslang Cave Part 3 of 4 on how to get here.

2. Spes Bona Valley


The spot here is at the top of the Spes Bona boardwalk (close to Kalk Bay and Muizenberg) and just a few meters up from this picture, you will find a big flat rock on your right where you can have your romantic pic-nic. Close by is a little waterfall and river that you can hear but not see. The boardwalk itself is awesome!

See the Hiking Boomslang Cave Part 4 of 4 to find out exactly how to get there.

3. Steenbras River Gorge



The Steenbras River Gorge (located just outside Gordons Bay) has many spots along the route where you can stop off and enjoy a romantic picnic. Please just remember that the baboons are not shy to steal your bag away from you - so keep a safe distance from them (the sound of an electric shocker (I did not say shock the poor little buggers!) or the sight of a rubber snake is guaranteed to keep them at a distance).

Click here to see how to get there and a little more about this beautiful spot.

4. Silvermine Lake

Silvermine lake (located at the top of Ou Kaapse Weg) has the most awesome little private pic nic spots built all around this lake for people to relax at and enjoy the surroundings together, yet still very intimate and private.

In the picture below, the private picnic spots and braai areas are opposite the lake. Make sure you bring a plastic to put under your towels or blankets, if you choose not to sit at the stunning little picnic spots for the day. The ground around the lake is very moist. Everyone swims in the lake and there are many easy walks and a river close by if you choose to be more active

To find out how to get to the Silvermine Lake, click here.

These are just a few of the very many places you can go this valentines day. I hope you find them and let us know if you did go to any of these hikes.

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Silvermine Elephants Eye Cave

Hiking Trail: Silvermine Elephants Eye Cave
Name of Reserve / Area: Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine (West)
Nearest Town: Constantia, Kommetjie
Province: Western Cape
Country: South Africa

Duration of hike: 2 hours



Directions to get there: From Cape Town CBD, drive south down the M3. At the end of the M3 turn right. 2nd Traffic light thereafter, turn left onto Ou Kaapse Weg. Go all the way to the top. As you reach the top, you will see the entrance to the Silvermine Nature Reserve on your right.



Best time of year to go: Any time is good.



What costs did you incurr to do this hike: Im not sure about the costs of overnighting here, but I did see a tented camp facility if you are interested inside the Resort. Our day rate was R15-00 per person.



The Silvermine lake provides a perfect opportunity for a swim and a pic-nic on a good weather day.




I was lucky to enjoy a awesome snack with my friends before I ventured off into the hills.




Its always good to have friends that are excellent pic-nic caterers!

How safe is it: I felt very safe in this reserve.

Fresh Water: Yes at the lake there are taps and a toilet facility. There is a stream that you cross, I expect the water to be very clean as this is the location close to the source of the Silvermine River.




Difficulty: Mike Lundy 2A. There is little shade available during the hike, the inclines are very minor and a unfit person could do this route and enjoy it too.




Start from the car park, and follow the sign which indicates the direction of the Elephant Cave Walk. The single track passes the lake on the right as you head up the mountain. As soon as you reach a T-junction, turn left onto the Jeep Track (which is also used by the mountain bikers).





The road will wind itself up the mountain and as soon as the zig-zag of the path ends, look out for a path to your right with another sign Elephants Eye.

Take this stone cut route untill you reach the next landmark which is a forrest.

You will notice how high up on the mountain you really are from this point and see the Tokai forrest below. Soon you will also have your first sighting of the Lookout Hut in the pic below.

Cross over a small stream.

During this time of the year (Summer) the entire Table Mountain National Park is covered in these beautiful flowers. (Im not sure what they are and invite anyone to pls tell me).

When you reach the hill of the Lookout Hut, you will notice behind you the forrest and the path you have just come from.

This Lookout Hut is for the forresters to keep a lookout for fires. There is a guard sitting in this little hut all the time.

The Lookout Hut provides you with the most stunning views of the Cape Peninsula.

Pets: Pets are not allowed by the pic-nic area directly next to the lake and they are very strict with this rule, but otherwise you can bring your dog on this hike.

From the hut, you will notice the path indicating the route to the Elephants Eye Cave. The name is derived from the fact that this mountain is the shape of an elephants head and the cave is perfectly located where the eye should be.

The pic above shows you the view from the Elephants Eye Cave towards the Lookout Hut and the path you just came from to get to the cave. Muizenberg is in the far back ground.

The path towards the cave also enjoyes the view of the Tokai forrest which is situated directly below.

The cave is a massive hole in the mountain and a perfect spot for a pit stop before you retrace your steps back down the mountain.

The pic above indicates the route you should follow back. The path on the right is the route you have just come from after the cave, and the Jeep Track on the left is the route you need to take to get back to the lake and your car. From here you will be walking along a different route which you actually have come from. Follow the Jeep Track to another T-junction and turn left down towards the lake.

This path in the picture above is a short-cut down to the lake. Follow this path and retrace your steps back to your car.

Hikers Ratings: Juanita: I enjoyed this relaxing and very safe hike and could have gone further, but due to time constraints, I only managed to do the Elephant Cave Route.

I was pleasantly suprised at the stunning pic nic and braai facilities that is being offered around the lake. Everyone swims in the lake. Mountain biking is also available in the reserve.

The cave is nothing much but a big hole in the mountain, but it was still really awesome to see it and the views it had to offer. This is also a very popular route and I saw many people along this walk.

Steenbras River Gorge is perfect for a pic-nic and a swim

Hiking Trail: Steenbras River Gorge
Name of Reserve / Area: Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, Steenbras River
Nearest Town: Located between Gordons Bay and Hangklip
Province: Western Cape
Country: South Africa



Duration of hike: 3 hours max.

Best time of year to go: Any time. Go very early in summer, as it gets very hot in the valley.

Fresh Water: the main watersource is the Steenbras river. I would not drink the water coming from the little lakes, as people swim in them.

Difficulty: Mike Lundy Rating 2B. Its flat all the way in the valley, but as you head past the 3rd lake, the climb is steep for about 30 min.

Pets: No pets are allowed.

How safe is it: The entire reserve is fenced off, and you need to pay to get in. From a crime perspective, I'd say always be careful, but we felt very safe here. The local baboons are a big concern though, because they WILL steal your food from you if they can get hold of your back pack, so be prepared if they come close.

Directions to get there: From Gordons Bay, take the coastal road towards Betty's Bay. You will soon drive over a very big bridge (the Steenbras River). This is your landmark and where you will see a parking area on your right.

What costs did you incurr to do this hike: Entry fee is 15 ZAR per person.

Permits can be bought from the Sunbird Guest House accross the road from the Steenbras Nature Reserve.

Pics taken by: Alex Aitkenhead and Juanita Welgemoed

(Click on the images for a larger view)


Here I did a Google image and mapped out the route in red. The red arrows indicate the 3 main lakes as you approach the cliffs.



There is a small hut by the entrace where you need to show your Permit. Permits can be bought from the Sunbird Guest Lodge (far left in pic above).

Phone: (+27 21) 856 1740 / Fax: (+27 21) 856 2116
Email: info@thesunbird.co.za



There is no need for a map or guide on this hike, as its is only one path leading up to the lakes. At some stage the paths become a mish mash of paths, but they do all come to the same destination.


This (pic above) was the first small lake which is in the river bed.









A short while after you start to climb, you will come accross the second lake with a beautiful waterfall.

Below is a small video clip of the girl jumping into the lake

The pic above is the highest one of the 4 lakes on this route.

This is the view from the top of the cliff, looking down onto the third (on the right) and fourth (on the left) lakes.

We started to climb the cliff and went all the way to the top. One of the most obvious things for me on this hike was the lack in maintenance of the paths. People have trampled the paths and eroded the area that it was very difficult to see which path was actually the main path to take. I can also see that its all been done without bad intention - due to the lack of guidance as to which paths should actually be taken. In the end they all come out at the same place.

At the top of the cliff the land is barren, rocky and pretty boring. It really is not worth your while to scramble all the way to the top if you wish to hike any further - unless you just want to enjoy the view and the flora.

Hikers Ratings: (Juanita) I really enjoyed the fact that I was able to walk inside a riverbed again. This made me think back of my days as a child when I played in the river on my dad's farm close to the Kruger National Park. The four little lakes were great places for a pitstop or a chill-stop. This seemed like a very popular local spot for a pic-nic and a swim on a hot summers day. I would not recommend that you go further than the top lake, as the path becomes blurry with loads of loose rocks and it could be dangerous.

I think I have been spoilt since I started hiking with regards to being exposed to excellent hiking routes / conditions. Sadly this Reserve's paths have been poorly maintained (very much unlike Table Mountain National Park who's paths are in almost perfect shape!). Just a small amount of effort from the local authority with a few sign posts errected to guide a person, would save this route from being erroded any further.