Hiking Spesbona Forest via Echo Valley Kalkbay

We were inspired by a photo from a book I got my husband for our anniversary, South Africa's Wildest Places, authored by Scott Ramsay. Even thought this hike is at the top of my list of favourite places, seeing Scott's photo of the Echo Valley Boardwalk made us realise that this is really the photo we would love to see more often.  So for a while now I have been pondering on what photo I would like as a wall mural in my office.  It had to be something inspirational and definitely a place I would like to 'go to' when you need to 'get away'... 

This is one of the places I can easy call my happy place, and Im sure many many others who have been here would agree with me.  So instead of sharing photo's like we used to in our blog posts, we decided to do a video of our experience on the walk and in search of 'the photo'.  My video skills are slightly improving and the editing... well let's just say, we are getting there ;)

Hope you enjoy the walk with us from the comfort of your computer screen.

If you wish for us to take you on this 2 hour walk, we charge R1000 minimum fee , and R250 per person if it is more than 4 people.  This can also include an epic cave walk (add another hour and R100pp), but it will depend on the weather - as you can't enter the 100m long cave shortly after the rain.  We mostly prefer to hike in the winter months due to the fact that hiking in summer heat and the potential danger of high risk  during the summer fire season.  It will be a memory lingering for a long time after your visit to this beautiful part of Table Moutain.

Untill next time,

Juanita and Alex

Cave Scrambling on Table Mountain is perfect for a large group of explorers

Hiking Trail: Boomslang Cave - Part 1 of 4

Wow, what another awesome hike this was. I am sure I am not only speaking for myself.

I have broken this hike up into 4 posts, to assist the downloading of the awesome images which go with each of them.

Below is a Google Earth image of the route that we walked.

(Click on the above image for enlarged view)

Location:
Name of Reserve / Area: Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine (East)
Nearest Town: Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Fishhoek
Province: Western Cape
Country: South Africa

Directions to get there: From Cape Town CBD, take the M3 south. At the T-junction turn left. At the next T-junction turn right. Soon you will see a sign for you to turn right into Boyes Drive. Take this scenic road and follow it all the way up the mountain and almost to the end of the road. Use the Kalk Bay Harbour lighthouse as your landmark on your left, which is also where you will see the sign and some steep stone cut steps. This is where you can park your car alongside the road. Make sure you respect the local driveways.



Duration of hike: We started around 9h00 and got back to our cars at 13h00. This included exploring the entire cave and a short mid-way stop for a bite to eat.

Best time of year to go: According to the editor of my secret map (Mike Lundy), there is water inside the caves during the winter months and could be a muddy affair during this time. We had plenty of shade especially down in the valleys and crossed a little stream every now and again during the entire hike.

Fresh Water: There is a little stream but I would not recommend that you drink it.

Difficulty: If I had to rate this hike according to the grading scale of Mike Lundy, I would give it a 2B.

The Mike Lundy rating which is a combination of the following two grades:1 = Easy stroll;2 = Moderate;3 = Streunous excersise;4 = Only for the very fitplusA = No exposure to heights;B = Mild exposure to heights;C = Moderate exposure to heights;D = Very exposed to heights;

Pets: Yes you can bring your dog with you on this hike, but please make sure they are fit enough because it is also hard for them if they are not regularly exposed to these kinds of conditions. The wooden boardwalk inside the valleys could be difficult for their paws to negotiate and is something that you can keep your watchful eye on them.

How safe is it: I would not go alone on any of these open hikes along Table Mountain Reserve, but I felt very safe here. Always make sure you have someone on the hike with you. Keep extra protection such as a mace spray and do not expose your camera and phone too openly. The caves should only be done in large groups, always.

What costs did you incurr to do this hike: none

Pics taken by: Alex Aitkenhead, Juanita Welgemoed, Brian Spratley, Iva Lopes de Sarria.

Hikers Ratings:
I would like to invite any of the hikers who joined us on this hike to email me their rating and I will gladly put it into this post.

Juanita: I loved this hike! What an experience to go through such a long cave. The narrow passageways and large chambers were awesome to see. We were fortunate enough to have a very good torch, and could see all the details. Echo Valley and Spes Bona Valley are just breathtaking yellowwood and milkwood forrests. I call them my fairytale forrests. The group that joined us were so much fun too. Its always nice to have a crowd of enthusiastic friends and makes for awesome pictures too. Thanks to Iva for suggesting this route and to everyone who joined us on it.


Rock Art along the way!

As we were walking up, I noticed the most beautiful rock art on the path. Well done to the artist who did this.

Walk for about half an hour up this path and on your right you will find a beautiful stone cut pond known as Weary Willy's.

Do not cross this little stream (yet), but continue to follow the path up the mountain in the direction of Echo Valley Forrest.

Weary Willy's Stone Pool, Latitude 34° 7'17.69"S, Longitude 18°26'46.48"E

Your next landmark is about 15 minutes away, a place called Hungry Harry's (going up) on your right. This is a cluster of boulders forming a perfect hide out where one can take a break or just explore.

(In the picture below you can also notice Ou Kraal Koppie in the middle back ground. We passed this little hill on our return route.)

Hungry Harry's Rock, Latitude 34° 7'9.26"S, Longitude 18°26'34.73"E

Continue past Hungry Harry's up the valley for about 100m where you will find a fork in the path. Take the left fork and walk along the Jolulu Track.

Jojulu Track, Latitude 34° 7'7.87"S, Longitude 18°26'31.41"E

You will find it to be a little bit of rock scrambling on your way up.

Most of the route is easy walking and should not take more than 20 minutes to get to the top.

Soon you will be entertained by the magnificent views of Fishhoek, Simonstown and Cape Point in the far distance.

(Click on the above image for enlarged view)

We ended up stuck in one long row and Iva noted it would make for an awesome team photo (this one was captured by our Head of Photography - Alex).

Thanks Iva for getting such a cool shot of us!

Not even a tough guy like Mitch could resist these stunning flowers. This mountain can bring out even the softer side of a man. I just loved this shot and tweaked it in photoshop to look like a painting. Right click on it and use it for a desktop ladies. It should keep your mind entertained when work sometimes gets too much.

(Click on the above image for enlarged view)

Hikers on this route:

Alex Aitkenhead, Brian Spratley, Camilla Fraser, Elizabeth Oh, Hennie Genis, Iva Lopes de Sarria, Juanita Welgemoed, Justin Groombridge,Michell Geere, Simon Bishop, Rudi Nagel.

Our next stop was the caves less than 2 minutes walk from this spot... keep reading the next post to see what we found in the stunning Boomslang Cave.

Hiking Boomslang Cave - Part 4 of 4

The route from The Amphitheatre is an edless display of flowers during this time of the year (January). Thanks again to Alex for capturing these stunning floral displays.

(Click on the above image for a larger view)

From The Amphitheatre in a straight path going in a NE direction. turn right into Spes Bona Valley.

Latitude 34° 6'45.75"S, Longitude 18°26'14.89"E

I can not recall any paths to turn into coming from The Amphitheatre, towards Spes Bona Valley. As you start decending down into the valley, keep in the direction of the ocean and follow this path down. Soon you will again find youself in another Yellowwood and Milkwood forrest, with an awesome boardwalk to make your route down so much easier and more beautiful.

(Click on the above image for a larger view)

(Click on the above image for a larger view)

Once emerging from a good 20 minute plus walk through the forrest and the end of the boardwalk, continue about 10 minutes with the path all the way to the gravel road. At the T-junction, turn right in a downwards direction.

Gravel Road, Latitude 34° 7'7.94"S, Longitude 18°26'48.28"E

Your next landmark is about 10 minutes away at the stone cut beacon (Ou Kraal Koppie Junction) where three paths come together.

Ou Kraal Koppie Junction, Latitude 34° 7'14.75"S, Longitude 18°26'48.43"E

Continue going straight pass Ou Kraal Koppie (which you will pass on your left), and do not however follow the path going to the left.

The picture below is the view you will find on your right of the entire route that you have just covered.

The left hill is the location of Boomslang Cave, the right hill is the location of the Amphitheatre. In between these two hills is the stone cluster called Hungy Harry's in the foreground and Echo Valley behind that. The far right valley is Spes Bona Valley.

Soon (about 5 minutes from here) you will reach a T-junction, the spot that you passed earlier on your way up, Weary Willy's stone cut pond.

Weary Willy's Stone Cut Pond, Latitude 34° 7'17.69"S, Longitude 18°26'46.48"E

At this point turn left down the mountain for a 15 minutes walk back to your car.

On your way down will see the Kalk Bay Harbour lighthouse. This is where I noticed how all the guys stopped for a breather and an oogle over how the surfers in the bay were catching a barrel in the perfect surfing conditions.

Kalk Bay Harbour Lighthouse, Latitude 34° 7'41.96"S, Longitude 18°27'4.52"E

This path will take you directly back to your car in Boyes Drive.

Thanks to the team who enjoyed this hike with us:

Alex Aitkenhead, Brian Spratley, Camilla Fraser, Elizabeth Oh, Hennie Genis, Iva Lopes de Sarria, Juanita Welgemoed, Justin Groombridge,Michell Geere, Simon Bishop, Rudi Nagel.

Once again thanks to Brian, Iva and Alex for sharing their pictures with me to document this hike.

I hope you enjoy these images and routes as much as I did.

Muizenberg Cave, Tartarus Cave, Spes Bona Valley

(click on above image for enlarged version to appreciate it for what it has to offer!)

Hiking Trail: Muizenberg Cave, Tartarus Cave, Spes Bona Valley
Name of Reserve / Area: Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine (East)
Nearest Town: Muizenberg and Kalk Bay
Province: Western Cape
Country: South Africa

Best time to go: All year. Go early in summer. Good shade in Spes Bona Valley.

Fresh Water: Water is available, but quality uncertain, bring your own.

Difficulty: Easy but steep incline, no exposure to hights. Caves are tricky and narrow. Will work up a sweat.

Pets: Can take your small dog on a leash, but not advisable if you entering the caves.

How safe is it: It is not recommended that you go alone. Keep a mace spray on you for extra protection. Do not display your gadgets too publically.

Directions to get there: Once you in Muizenberg, drive towards 110 Boyes Drive and park your car. Make sure to respect the local driveways. (Boyes Drive runs above and parallel with the main beach road at the bottom of the mountain.) The hike starts by the Ou Kraal sign. Remember to bring along a decent torch and a candle for the caves.

Pics taken by: Alex Aitkenhead, Juanita Welgemoed, Iva Lopes de Sarria.

Hikers Ratings: Juanita - Loved this hike for everything it had to offer me. The awesome views of Muizenberg beach, the amazing discoveries of the caves and the highlight of the fairytale Spes Bona Valley. Cross over the seasonal stream and immediately turn right onto steep steps which will zig zag their way up and then along towards the direction of Muizenberg Beach. Once you reach a fork, keep left to continue going up into Bailey’s Kloof. The right option will however take you down towards Boyes drive again - which is where you dont want to go right now.

(click on above image for enlarged version)

There are many cross paths along this walk and its easy to get yourself confused. From this point, keep focussing to go upwards and towards the highest peak - St. James Peak. Your main landmark for now is to reach the first stone cut trig beacon about 20 min from this point - in the pic below.

Once you’ve reached the end of Bailey’s Kloof (pic above), you will come to another cross path.Dont turn left, (the more prominent/obvious path to take as seen in the pic below) keep going right, then soon thereafter, the path will fork again. This is where you go left and head up towards the peak (and not right to follow the path again alongside the mountain towards Muizenberg Beach) into Mimetes Valley.
Its very easy to get yourself lost and confused on this track, which added about 30 min to our hike. We made the mistake of going left at the first path, and took the long way. Either way, they both reach the Jeep Track. I would recommend that you continue to follow your nose in an upward direction towards St. James peak until you reach the Jeep Track and a landmark of a cut stone beacon.

(In the pic below:
The stone cut trig beacon which you need to look out for, is in the centre of the pic, 1 is the path you will be coming from, 2 is the path to go and explore Muizenberg Cave, and 3 is the route you will return to and follow towards Tartatus Cave. )
(click on above image for enlarged version)

At this point the Jeep Track is a clear triangle of roads leading to one another. Facing the beacon, with the highest peak (St. James Peak where Muizenberg Caves are - see the pic below) behind you, also indicates the direction of the path you should follow to view the Muizenberg Caves inside St. James Peak. A short walk up this Jeep Track, will lead you to a path on the right (pic above) taking you into the massive magnificent cave. You are able to explore the Muizenberg Cave up to 40m into the mountain. Make sure you have a torch and a candle to ensure a reserve in case of dropping or losing one whilst exploring this cave.Track back towards the stone cut beacon, where you came from. Now take the left of the 2 Jeep Tracks heading upwards.

Soon you will see a marker on your left (indicating the direction to the Amphitheatre), which is a sandy track towards Tartarus Cave.
This path has the most magnificent views. Be sure to keep looking back as you will notice (as in the pic below) a reverse view of the table top of Table Mountain – a view not seen too often at this angle.This sandy route will offer you various awesome rock formations for a pit stop of stunning views to take a break prior to your exploration of Tartarus Caves.The cave does not look like much from the outside, a mere 1.5m wide hole in the ground. We were very brave and entered the soon to discover abyss of darkness, narrow alleys and stunning discoveries. Being in a large group of 6 people and not enough light, we decided to turn around at about half of the way and headed back to the exit point.


Alex managed to capture these stunning shots inside the cave without a flash! ...its also not easy to hold the camera so still with such a slow shutter speed.
(click on above image for enlarged version)

So far, we felt like children discovering treasures never seen before – guided by our secret map (Mike Lundy’s Best Walks in the Cape Peninsula)!Once we exited the cave, we headed upwards for about 5 min walk towards Kalk Bay Mountain (beacon in pic below) and then down into Spes Bona Valley.At the top of Spes Bona Valley you will reach a cross road, this is where you turn left down into the valley.Another discovery of a boardwalk almost the entire way down through a dense yellowwood and milkwood forest brought yet again the child out in me.
(click on above image for enlarged version)

At the end of the boardwalk, you will again reach the Jeep track (which you crossed a few times before at other spots on the mountain), turn right onto the track. About 5 min walk turn left onto a narrow path heading you back towards the start of the Ou Kraal route. From here is a comfortable 30 min walk back to your car parked by 110 Boyes Drive alongside the mountain.