Cape Level Nationwide Park is an unimaginable reserve simply km from Cape City. The surroundings at Cape Level is actually spectacular; white-sand seashores, rugged cliffs, dramatic drops, weird rock formations, fynbos vegetation, and so on. The wildlife on the park is sort of spectacular; ostriches, completely different antelopes, mongooses, zebras, tortoises, dolphins, and even whales within the season (July to September). It’s one of many must-visit locations in Cape City for nature and outdoor lovers.
Cape Level is an ideal place for a day journey from Cape City particularly when you’re planning to spend a while on the park and do some mountain climbing. You may mix a go to to Cape Level with the Cape Peninsula drive, probably the most scenic drives in Cape City.
The well-known Cape of Good Hope is contained in the Cape Level Nationwide Park. Many vacationers suppose it’s the southernmost level of Africa. Actually, it’s essentially the most south-western level of the continent. The precise southernmost level of Africa and the assembly level of two oceans is 250 km west at Cape Agulhas.
Mountaineering is likely one of the many superb issues to do in Cape City. The town is an ideal place for out of doors lovers right here you’ll be able to get pleasure from diving, browsing, kitesurfing, paragliding, mountain biking, and extra.
Cape Level Nationwide Park
- Opening time – day by day from 8am to 4pm
- Entrance charge – South Africans (with IDs); adults – ZAR 85/US$5, kids – ZAR 40/US$2,5; foreigners ZAR 340/US$22, kids ZAR 170/US$11.
Stunning day hikes at Cape Level Nationwide Park
Even when you’re not planning on doing any mountain climbing at Cape Level it’s nonetheless price together with this improbable place in your Cape City itinerary.
Many of the urged day hikes we walked as part of a 2-day mountain climbing route round Cape Level. Extra particulars on the Cape of Good Hope hike you’ll find beneath.
The Cape of Good Hope hike
- Distance – 3 km
- Time – 1h30min.-2 hours
- Beginning/ending level – automobile parking heaps at Flying Dutch Funicular or at Cape of Good Hope
- Highlights – Outdated Lighthouse, Cape Level, Cape of Good Hope, Dias Seaside
If you wish to select one hike to do at Cape Level that is undoubtedly the one. It’s a simple brief stroll totally on boardwalks alongside the cliffs with improbable views. There are a few staircases to overcome the Outdated Lighthouse and down and as much as Dias Seaside (200 steps). There’s a funicular that runs from the car parking zone to the lighthouse. You should buy funicular tickets on-line to avoid wasting time. In case you’re fortunate within the peak season (August-September) you would possibly spot Southern proper whales within the waters round Cape Level. A better encounter with these stunning giants you’ll be able to have throughout a whale-watching boat tour in Hermanus.
This half is an elective on the primary day of the Cape of Good Hope trek after reaching the hut.
The Shipwreck Circuit
- Distance – 5 km loop
- Time – 2 hours – 2h30min.
- Beginning/ending level – automobile car parking zone at Olifantsbos Seaside
- Highlights – untouched coast, a few shipwrecks, sandy seashores, and dunes, rocky swimming pools, fynbos vegetation.
The path goes via a really quiet a part of the park. It’s a fantastic choice for many who’ve been to the primary sights at Cape Level and need moderately a solitary hike with possibilities to identify some wildlife. There is no such thing as a place to purchase meals or refill water on this route so be certain that to carry sufficient water and snacks with you. As an choice, you’ll be able to shorten the hike and stroll to Thomas Tucker shipwreck and again as an alternative of doing a loop.
The Sirkelsvlei Circuit
- Distance – 6,5 km loop
- Time – 3 hours – 3h30min.
- Beginning/ending level – automobile car parking zone at Olifantsbos Seaside
- Highlights – fynbos, weird rock formations, numerous wildlife, Sirkelsvlei dam
One other circuit route that begins at Olifantsbos Seaside. You don’t get to stroll a lot alongside the coast however you do have stunning views of the coast. It’s an inland route with little or no shadow in summer season it will get highly regarded it’s higher to begin strolling early within the morning. You may mix this hike with the Shipwreck Path and stroll first half alongside the coast after which flip inland. On this case the full strolling distance will probably be round 7,5 km.
The Kanonkop path
- Distance – 6,5 km return
- Time – 3 hours – 3h30min.
- Beginning/ending level – Bufflesfontein Customer Middle automobile parking
- Highlights – an previous cannon, improbable views from Kanonkop peak, blue Disas (in summer season)
It’s a pleasant route with an ascent to the height and a subsequent descent to the coast. The path provides nice views of the coast and the park. Between mid-January and February you’ll find blue disa orchids alongside the route. After descending from Kanonkop you’ll be able to prolong your stroll to Venus Pool, a ravishing rocky tidal pool. It’ll add about 2,5 km to the hike.
This hike is part of the primary day route of the Cape of Good Hope trek when you stroll the inland route.
In case you like difficult walks you’ll get pleasure from one of many mountain climbing trails up Desk Mountain. There are a number of stunning routes that go to the highest with the breathtaking surroundings.
The Cape of Good Hope – a 2-day trek round Cape Level
The hike at one of many iconic vacationer sights in South Africa is an unimaginable expertise. We hope our Cape of Good Hope mountain climbing information will provide help to to plan the hike. The whole distance of the hike 38,7 km. To finish the route you want 2 days and 1 night time. It’s a round route that begins and ends on the fundamental gate of the Cape Level Nationwide Park. You undergo the fynbos, over the cliffs, alongside the seashores a lot of the path goes via sometimes visited by day guests a part of the park. This 2-day trek is an ideal weekend getaway from Cape City for many who get pleasure from mountain climbing and nature.
In case you like multi-day mountain climbing trails, like strolling alongside the coast and recognizing wildlife on the way in which you’ll undoubtedly benefit from the Otter Path, probably the most stunning treks in South Africa.
Path overview
- Distance – 38,7 km loop + 7 km when you stroll to the Cape Level from the hut and again
- Time – 2 days
- Elevation acquire – 1461 m
- Elevation loss – 1500 m
- Terrain – footpath, seaside, boulders
- Route marking – yellow footprints
The best way to ebook the hike?
You may ebook it over the cellphone (021-712-74-71 or 012-428-91-11) or e-mail ([email protected]) Mon-Fri from 8am to 4pm. You may test for accessible mountain climbing dates over the cellphone or by e-mail as nicely. To substantiate your reserving it’s a must to make a cost for the hut. After that, you’ll obtain a affirmation e-mail with a whole lot of data on the hike.
If you wish to do the hike over a weekend particularly in summer season months it’s extremely advisable to make a reserving prematurely. We booked it two weeks prematurely and the closest to the weekend we may get is Friday.
There are 3 in a single day huts; Erica (6 individuals), Protea (12 individuals, 2 rooms with 6 beds every), and Restio (12 individuals, 2 rooms with 6 beds every). You may ebook the whole hut even when you’re solely 2 individuals however you’ll must pay the total value. In any other case, you may need to share a hut with different hikers, not out of your group.
Be aware! At present, as a result of COVID restrictions, it’s not allowed to share a hut with different teams, it’s a must to ebook the whole hut and pay for it no matter how many individuals are going to remain at it. It really works out less expensive when you’re a bunch of 6.
How a lot does it value?
- The price of the in a single day huts – ZAR 358/US$24 per individual, ZAR 2151/US$143 for a 6-people hut.
- Entrance charge to Cape Level Nature Reserve – South Africans – ZAR 85/US$5; foreigners – ZAR 340/US$22, free you probably have a Wild Card. Don’t overlook to carry your ID to verify that you just’re South African or a resident.
Lodging on the path
Hikers keep at one of many three in a single day huts; Protea, Restio, and Erica. Erica can accommodate 6 individuals, Protea and Restio 12 individuals (two rooms for six individuals every). The huts are clear and cozy. We’ve finished the hike twice and stayed at Protea and Erica huts. Protea and Restio are located subsequent to one another, Erica is a bit aside.
Services
- bunk beds with mattresses
- a scorching water bathe (fuel heater)
- flushing bathroom
- electrical energy (photo voltaic lightning, no energy sockets)
- a braai place with a braai grid
- a kitchen with a fuel range, sinks, tables, chairs, pots, plates, cups, and utensils. There usually are not many cups I’d recommend bringing a plastic cup.
How tough is the hike?
The path shouldn’t be very difficult; there are some ascents and descents however nothing hectic. For an unfit individual not used to mountain climbing, it is likely to be powerful for moderately match hikers not. The warmth in summer season makes the hike harder particularly when you don’t carry sufficient water and don’t defend your pores and skin from sunburns. It’s not a hike to do with younger kids. In case your children are older than 12 and used to mountain climbing they need to be high-quality.
What to pack for the hike?
Hikers keep at absolutely geared up huts no want to hold any tenting or cooking gear except you’re planning to make meals or boil water on the way in which.
- A sleeping bag, we had skinny summer season baggage it was fairly scorching outdoors however when you do it in winter take a hotter one.
- A towel and toiletries for the bathe.
- A pillow (you’ll be able to carry a blow-up one or simply use your garments as an alternative).
- Flip flops or any snug footwear to alter into out of your mountain climbing footwear.
- A set of garments for sleeping.
- A headlamp or a torch in case you’ll must hike in the dead of night.
- A digital camera/cellphone to take pictures or movies.
- A camel pack or a water bottle. In summer season be certain that to hold 2l of water per individual it will get highly regarded, and there aren’t any locations to refill water on the way in which.
- Meals, it’s as much as you the way a lot and what to carry. We had steaks, smash, and cuscus for dinner; prompt oats, pastry, and occasional for breakfast; biltong and protein bars for lunch. You’ll want meals for 2 lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast.
- Coals when you’re planning to braai.
The place to park your automobile?
There’s a protected car parking zone contained in the park on the fundamental gate, all multi-day hikers depart their automobiles there. It’s freed from cost. Although it’s protected don’t depart any worthwhile stuff within the automobile.
Be aware! You may stroll the route each methods clockwise or anticlockwise. The principle distinction is the space you stroll on Day 1 and Day 2. We’ve walked each methods clockwise and counterclockwise.
Strolling clockwise vs counterclockwise
It’s potential to stroll the path both means; clockwise or counterclockwise. The official map recommends clockwise. We’ve finished the trek twice and stroll each methods. Bear in mind, on the primary day, you must check-in on the gate earlier than 9am when you’re late they may not allow you to go.
Clockwise benefits
- Your first day is brief, solely 13 km which is sweet contemplating that you just’ll most likely begin strolling fairly late as you want time to drive to Cape Level first, check-in on the gate, and so on.
- As a result of the space is brief you’ll have sufficient time to do an additional loop round Cape Level, go to Dias Seaside, the Lighthouse, and so on. It’s about 10 km additional. I like to recommend leaving your backpacks on the hut and taking solely valuables with you earlier than you go to Cape Level.
Clockwise disadvantages
- The second day is sort of lengthy, 23 km which implies you’ll be finished by lunchtime or so.
Cape of Good Hope – a 2-day mountain climbing itinerary
Day 1. Cape Level entrance gate to Erica hut (clockwise)
- Distance – 15,7 km
- Strolling time – 4 hours
- Elevation acquire – 768 m
- Elevation loss – 805 m
On the primary day, you must register for the hike on the entrance gate earlier than 9am. It’s important to begin your mountain climbing day early particularly if you wish to do an additional loop and go to Cape of Good Hope and the Lighthouse. One more reason for beginning early is the warmth when you stroll in summer season. There is no such thing as a shade the path is uncovered to the solar.
The primary day is my favourite; the path follows the coast and provides some breathtaking views of Cape of Level and Cape Peninsula.
There’s a route cut up at Kanonkop; the shorter route goes extra inland previous Bufflesfontein Customer Middle, the longer route goes right down to the coast previous Da Gama Cross to Buffels Bay seaside. Quickly after Buffels Bay, each trails merge once more. We’ve walked each routes and the coastal one is ore favourite. On a scorching day, you’ll be able to go for a fast dip at one of many tidal swimming pools.
If in case you have time and power after arriving at your hut you’ll be able to depart your stuff there (take solely valuables) and stroll to Cape Level, the primary touristy space of the park. There’s a footpath that goes over Da Gama peak right down to the car parking zone and a restaurant at Cape Level. As soon as there you’ll be able to stroll (or take Flying Dutch funicular) to the Lighthouse, Cape Level, Dias Seaside, Cape of Good Hope and stroll again to the hut the identical means. It’s about 7-8 kilometers return, you’ll want 2-3 hours for this stretch.
Don’t miss the sundown on the hut you get fairly spectacular views of Cape Peninsula from the above. On a transparent day, you’ll be able to see the solar happening into the ocean. The views are simply as stunning as on the sundown hike up Lion’s Head.
Day 2. Erica hut to Cape Level entrance gate
- Distance – 23 km
- Strolling time – 5h30min.
- Elevation acquire – 693 m
- Elevation loss – 695 m
It’s higher to begin mountain climbing early on the second day if you wish to be finished by lunchtime. The path on the second day is simply as uncovered to the solar as on the primary day. The primary half of the route after descending from the hut is alongside the coast with occasional strolling on the seaside. The second half is inland principally via the fynbos. On this stretch, you might have possibilities to identify leopard tortoises, ostriches, and elands.