Waterfall hikes around the Cape

As we had fantastic rain this winter all the waterfalls are gushing at full speed, but hurry if you don’t want to miss out.

Skeleton Gorge

From Kirstenbosch follow the signs to Skeleton Gorge. Walk up Skeleton Gorge until you see the sign for Smuts Track and the Contour Path. Turn right, it is not far from this intersection. The waterfall only flows after enough rain.

Disa River Waterfall

It is signposted through the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens in Bettys Bay. Gates open at 8am. Go early before the other hikers arrive. It is not far but involves climbing at least 3 ladders. Take the Fynbos route back to the gardens.

Jonkershoek – Stellenbosch

Jonkershoek valley is about 9 kilometers from Stellenbosch. The top part of the valley lies in the 8 900 ha Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. The reserve is surrounded by a few peaks: Twin Peaks, 3 Rif Peaks, Guardian Peak, Pic-sans-Nom and the Stellenbosch mountains.
Don’t forget to buy a permit online At the moment it is R100 per person. The best is to drive into Jonkershoek and park before the bridge, if you miss it – you will be coming back in the direction of the gate. You don’t necessary need a 4 x 4 but with a normal car, you will need to drive cautiously. Once on the path, after about 3 kilometers, you will see a path to the right. That is the easiest accessible waterfall. The most beautiful waterfall is straight on but the hike there is slightly more difficult.

Tierboskloof Waterfall – Hout Bay

Drive to the top of Baviaanskloof Road. If you would have driven straight on, look on the right of that houses drive way for the path. Follow the path all the way up to the waterfall. You are basically following the stream/river up. I would suggest to go in a group or with a dog, as there is a slight chance of it not being super safe.

Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine

Park at 7 Farriers Way which is off Valley Road in Hout Bay. The entrance for the path is slightly hidden but towards the Llundudno side of number 7. There is a gate further on of which you need the access code (unfortunately I am not at liberty to provide the code). Once through the gate, take the path to the right and keep on going all the way next to the stream.

It is a 2.1 kilometer trail.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve

Fernkloof Nature Reserve is situated in Hermanus. It is a easy walk to the waterfall. Take the path from behind the information centre. This is also the start of the hike to the Galpin Overnight Hike.

Silverstream Ravine Table Mountain Waterfall

Like many of the waterfalls, this only runs in winter. Drive past the cable car station and keep on going until you see the start of Platteklip Gorge. There is a small parking on the left, a sign on the bend where the trail starts. Go up Platteklip Gorge on the North face of Table Mountain and then take the left turnoff on the pipe track. Carry on in the direction of Devils Peak and you will pass the Silverstream waterfall. There are type of interesting caves just after that and great sunset views of Lion’s Head from there.

Beaverlac

Tucked high up in the Olifants River Mountains above Porterville, Beaverlac is situated in a secluded 5000 hectare valley surrounded by mountains. There are two rivers, the Ratel (Honey Badger) and the Olifants River and we visited 3 different waterfalls when we were there. I am sure there are much more. A wide variety of hiking and mountain bike trails are available.

Tulbach Waterfalls

You need to buy a permit for about R10 at Tulbach Tourism. The falls are a 30 minute drive from Tulbach, it is very easy to find and the tourism office will give you directions. It is not a difficult hike at all and the higher you can go, the better. The parking is about a 15 minute walk from the first waterfall and then you just go up from there. There is a jeep track where you can walk up as well.

Rust & Vrede Waterfall

Rust-en-Vrede Waterfall is situated 18km outside Oudtshoorn. You can find it on the road between the Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn. The waterfall runs 365 days a year. You need to pay an entry at the gate but it is an easy walk to the waterfalls and very well laid out with bridges over the river etc.

For hikes where you can swim – Click HERE