Something Different
Mountains in the Sea – 5 Day Luxury Slackpacking Hike, Cape Town, South Africa
Steve Bolnick
Steve is recognised as one of southern Africa's outstanding safari and walking guides. He grew up with a deep love for the African bush and has spent the past 30 years living and guiding in southern Africa. He has trained aspiring guides in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe and has led research safaris for the WWF and Washington University. Between guiding he has acquired three university degrees in related subjects.
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This is a breathtaking walk, which begins by ascending Table Mountain and ends at Cape Point. It offers exhilarating walking in a glorious setting of mountains, forest, white sandy beaches and cliff-tops with a mix of challenging longer and gentler shorter days, staying at salubrious rural resorts, rustic hideaways and quayside inns en route allowing participants to enjoy the famous Cape cuisine and warm hospitality.
This unforgettable iconic 5-day trail stretches 60km traversing the Peninsula Mountain range, recently incorporated into the new Table Mountain National Park. While the walking is world class and the scenery is spectacular, the walk has a strong emphasis on natural and cultural history and exposes participants to a great variety of terrain, flora and fauna. This is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom - the most bio-diverse floral kingdom in the world, as well as being home to large mammals such as the rare Cape Mountain Zebra, bontebok, eland, and baboon, and numerous beautiful bird species, ostrich and raptors. Between the months of July and November it is also one of the best places on earth for land-based whale sighting.
The walk provides stunning and dramatic views across “the two oceans” – the Atlantic Ocean and False Bay. It includes walks across beautiful white beaches and along spectacular cliffs. It affords views of Robben Island, Cape Town city, and the winelands as well as sweeping views of the mountains across False Bay. An expert guide accompanies the walk and will add immense enjoyment and knowledge to an area where it is easy to miss hidden secrets. It is also fully supported by vehicle so you need only carry a daypack.
What better way to commence the Cape Trail than by a steep ascent of Table Mountain with views across the city of Table Bay and the Hottentots Holland Mountains. The trail then meanders above Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden descending through the forest to Constantia and your first mountain lodge. The second day is the longest (9 hours) ascending the Vlakkenberg Trail above Hout Bay filled with pristine fynbos towards beautiful Blackburn Ravine. Follow the cliffs to your stunningly located beach resort overlooking Noordhoek Valley and Long Beach.
From the Atlantic Coast to False Bay you walk over Slangkop Mountain descending via an ancient mule track to the quaint historical seaside settlement of Simonstown and your quayside hotel not far from the famous Boulders Beach Jackass penguin colony. Ascend Swartkop for inspirational views to Smitswinkel Bay. From July to October Southern Right Whales are usually seen here and dolphins often escort you as you meander along the coastline. The last day is considered by many to be the most beautiful walk in South Africa, taking you from the northern boundary of the famous Cape Point National Park along cliffs and beaches, in the company of a wide variety of wildlife, to False Bay and Cape Point where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean currents meet. Return to Cape Town.