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.
Salmonsdam Nature Reserve Stanford
It is a 2km circular route through fynbos and an indigenous forest.
Cecilia Forest
A circular route. Take the single track up past the stream and you will zigzag up past a smaller waterfall. Follow the path to the larger waterfall. If you end up on a jeep track to the left you have gone the wrong way. You can keep going past the large waterfall and you will come out on the Kirstenbosch side and from there it signposted back to the car park.
Limietberg Waterfall
Limietberg is a pristine nature reserve tucked away in the Du Toitskloof Mountains, near Paarl. After the Du Toit’s Kloof tunnel, you will see a Hiking sign, showing that parking is off to the right. A permit should be bought at Cape Nature prior. There is a gap in the fence on the left of the gate. You follow the Krom river bank all the way up to the waterfall. From this waterfall you can climb the 10 meter cliffs using the metal chain and once on top another 2 minutes later you are at a beautiful large fresh water pool with a waterfall.
Waterfall pic compliments of Ania, my Adventure Guru.
Tulbach
Buy a permit (R10 per person) from the Tulbagh Tourism office in Church Street.
Look up “Waterfall Nature Reserve” on your GPS. It is about 8 kilometers out of town.
There is a dedicated parking area outside the gate. Just before the gate turn left and follow the fence all the way up. Half way you can turn left and visit the first waterfall. The steep path to the top of the waterfall becomes a jeep track. When you reach the top, you climb down the rocks to be at the top of the waterfalls. I can highly recommend swimming in the top pool. It was too deep for me to stand in some parts. The round trip is less than 2km. The views from the top are fantastic over the Tulbach valley.
This is some of the easiest accessible waterfalls. If you are looking for a long hike – this might not be for you.
Nuwerust in the South-Eastern part of the Cederberg – Citrusdal
You climb up Klipbokkop to the waterfall which is in the Klipbokkop river. Beautiful views of the Brandkraal River Valley.
Bainskloof
The route to the 3-tier waterfall involves crossing a river and hiking along a gradual incline featuring incredible views of BainsKloof. The 3-Tier waterfall is at it’s biggest towards the end of winter / spring and is as rewarding as it can get.
Bobbejaansriver Waterfall
Barrydale Waterfall
An undulating circular route, drive out of Barrydale past Smitsville. More info.