Upcoming Hikes

Hike programs cover a four month period and are published in October, February and June. Every two weeks the upcoming hikes are updated below for ease of reference.

Important notes:

Leaders MUST be contacted before hikes, especially during winter. Hikes may be cancelled due to weather and leaders need to know who to contact if there are cancellations. Two things stand out when we hike these days:

  • the many people enjoying the outdoors and so the need to arrive early in order to find parking; and
  • more significantly, the varying levels of compliance with C-19 guidelines.

 

We urge our hikers to continue complying with the guidelines and, in particular, to wear some form of face mask for as much of the time as possible. Recognising that one does feel the need to remove the mask from time to time, particularly during the more challenging sections of a hike, we offer the following thoughts:

  • increase your distance from others while your or their mask is down;
  • When passing others or being passed, please “mask-up” for those few seconds.

Times

The times indicated in the hiking program are the times that the hikes start/leave from the meeting place. Please be at the meeting point at least 5 minutes before the starting time to allow for enough time to sign in etc. The leader may choose to wait 5 minutes for late comers, but more than this is not fair to the hikers that did arrive on time.

Visitors

The club welcomes visitors to join any of our hikes. We request that you make contact with the leader who will advise you on the suitability of the hike based on your fitness level. Generally, the Saturday Hikes are easier and suited to beginners, whilst Sunday hikes are more strenuous. Visitors to any of our hikes are asked to offer a nominal donation to the club. Currently the amount asked is R50 per visitor.

Saturday 1 March

Peddling De Hel

Meet: 7:00 AM

Peddlars on the Bend – Spaanschemat River Road

Hike details:

A lovely stroll along the dirt roads and greenbelts of Constantia, to a special little forested area, De Hel. This is an out and back route, but there may be a slight deviation, depending on time and distance. There are a few hills to get the heart rates up. Returning to Peddlars for a well-deserved refreshment.

4-5 Hours

8-10 km

Moderate

Hike Leader

Lyn Barker-Veary

082 4141 744
WhatsApp messages preferred

Sunday 2 March

East Fort, Atlas Pool, Alfies Path (upper contour), back to East Fort

Meet: 8:00 AM

East Fort off Chapmans Peak Drive

Hike details:

We do a 5.5 km loop, initially up to Atlas Pool, then to the Upper Contour and left onto Alfies Path, pass Blackburn Kloof, and loop back to East Fort.

3-4 Hours

5-8 km

Strenuous

Hike Leader

Marco Bauer

084 370 8855

Saturday 8 March

Noordhoek Beach to Kommetjie Lighthouse

Meet: 7:15 AM

Slangkop Lighthouse Parking Area, Kommetjie

Hike details:

Early start since high tide is at 11:20 and we will need to shuttle cars to Noordhoek Beach parking for the return. We will walk along Noordhoek Beach past the Kakapo wreck, onto Kommetjie beach and carry on along the rocky shore to Slangkop Lighthouse. Wear shorts and bare feet (or sandals) so that you can sample the sea water. It can be windy, so bring a windbreaker, and a swimming costume if you would like to take a dip. Hat/cap and sunblock is essential – no shade! Easy walking, classified “moderate” only because of its length. Bring a snack and enough water. I’ve allowed 3 – 4 hours, so we have enough time if anyone would like to have a swim along the way.

3-4 Hours

8-10 km

Moderate

Dogs Allowed (with TMNP permit)

Hike Leader

Lizette Sutherland

082 413 5414
WhatsApp messages preferred

Sunday 9 March

Camel Rock and The Enchanted Forest

Meet: 8:00 AM

Constantia Nek Car Park

Hike details:

Head up the first stairway to Eagle’s Nest, then scramble and get to Camel Rock. Then on to De Villiers Dam. Skirt the dam and head towards The Enchanted Forest. Back to the start.

Important: As it is the day of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, typical access roads such as crossing the M3 will not be possible due to road closures from as early as 5:30am. One possible crossing under the M3 is via M41 coming from Wynberg/ Kenilworth towards Constantia, onto Constantia Main Road, straight through to Constantia Nek. Heavy Rain cancels.

6 Hours + (Whole Day)

>10 km

Very Strenuous

Scrambling

Exposure

Hike Leader

Sándor Nagy

082 082 0482

Saturday 15 March

Club AGM (Members only) - RSVP required

Meet: 1:00 PM

Renata’s House, 1 Sunnybrae Rd, Rondebosch

Hike details:

We invite all Ramblers’ members to attend our AGM. Saturday 15 March 2025 13.00 for 14.00 – come at 13:00 and enjoy a swim, the formal proceedings start at 14:00. Light snacks and a glass of wine will be provided.

2-3 Hours

<5 km

Social Function

Hike Leader

Lyn Barker-Veary

082 4141 744
WhatsApp messages preferred

Sunday 16 March

Rhodes Memorial circular ramble

Meet: 2:00 PM

Lower parking area, Rhodes Memorial bottom gate

Hike details:

Ramble, with some uphills, pace very reasonable.

2-3 Hours

<5 km

Moderate

Dogs Allowed (with TMNP permit)

Hike Leader

Dorothy Holder

083 572 3259

Friday 21 March (Human Rights Day)

Extended Alphen trail

Meet: 7:30 AM

The car park NEAR and by the Alphen hotel

Hike details:

Follow various paths from the Car park near the Alphen, thru forests, up hills down again and generally a pleasant hike.

4-5 Hours

8-10 km

Moderate

Hike Leader

Chris Taylor

083 294 5845
(WhatsApp messages preferred)

Saturday 22 March

Kleintuinkop

Meet: 8:00 AM

Silvermine Gate 2

Hike details:

Start at Silvermine Gate 2, proceed towards Kleintuin Valley. From the Valley follow the Cairns to the top (some scrambling). On top we’ll have a break and then return via Berty’s Landing.

4-5 Hours

5-8 km

Moderate

Scrambling

Exposure

Dogs Allowed (with TMNP permit)

Hike Leader

Patrick Potts

081 788 0302

Sunday 23 March

Elephants Rear and beyond

Meet: 7:30 AM

Silvermine 1 parking lot (by the dam)

Hike details:

Up the jeep track to the Blackburn lookout point. Up to the mast and to the Elephants Rear. Tea stop. Then beyond to overlook Hout Bay. Lunch stop. Return via the back of Elephants Eye.

4-5 Hours

8-10 km

Strenuous

Scrambling

Exposure

Hike Leader

Lizette Leigh

074 462 3496
WhatsApp messages preferred

Saturday 29 March

Vlakkenberg Forest meander

Meet: 8:30 AM

32 Price Drive, Constantia. Map

Hike details:

We will begin walking through the dense canopy of the Vlakkenberg forest, and meander along a free-flowing stream. This is a delightful easy walk through a little-known dense forest next to Constantia wine farm. We will meander through different parts of the forest.

2-3 Hours

<5 km

Easy

Hike Leader

Les Watson

084 856 1742

Sunday 30 March

Chapmans Peak

Meet: 7:30 AM

Chapman Peak /No Pay/ hiking Permit Turn around parking area

Hike details:

Hike up to Chapmans Peak, and return on the same route. Great views of Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Can be very windy.

3-4 Hours

<5 km

Strenuous

Scrambling

Exposure

Hike Leader