That Grown Ups Will Enjoy!
How To Amuse Your Kids. No screens required.
Summertime
And the livin’ is easy
So wrote George Gershwin who probably never had kids who cried, ‘I’m bored!’ the second the school doors shut for the summer holidays.
Two words parents dread, especially with weeks and weeks of long hot summer days staring them down.
You know a well-rounded child is happier mentally, physically, and emotionally.
But you’re busy. And the screens are perfect babysitters, yet you are wracked by guilt. If only there was a way to get your child away from the screen nanny. And not drive yourself mental in the process.
Hiking is one of the best ways to kill all these stones with one bird (because under no circumstances do we advocate killing birds for sport).
It’s a fun activity for children of all ages, letting them exercise outdoors through play which boosts their self-confidence, and lets them engage with nature responsibly and get away from those dreaded screens.
Bonus: It provides the exact same opportunity for their parents, because you will be joining them, right? Right?
Extra bonus: Quality family time
Cape Town is blessed with many child-friendly hiking options for kids and adults. Especially if you’re on a budget (Who isn’t, right?) and already stressing about next year’s school fees.
Hikes in and around Table Mountain National Park are free except for Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Make the experience more fun and less stressful (for everyone) by ensuring you have the right gear and/or clothing for a day on the trails.
What To Pack
Backpack – have your child carry an age-appropriate (school backpack is fine) with the items they will need for the day including:
- a Warm top and/or raincoat/poncho
- Water (500ml – 1 litre)
- Snacks
As the responsible (I hope!) adult, you will also carry a (bigger) backpack with:
- A warm top
- Water (at least 2 litres)
- Snacks / food eg fruit, energy bars, yoghurt cups etc
- Fully charged cell phone with emergency numbers programmed (see below)
- First Aid kit
- Your and/or your child’s personal medication
- Insect repellent
- Allergex (if your child is prone to allergies)
- Biodegradable wipes/tissues etc
- A headlamp
What To Wear
- Appropriate clothing (try to cover as much skin as possible to protect from the elements. Light loose clothing is best
- Appropriate shoes (no flip flops or open-toed shoes/sandals)
- Hat
- Sunblock
- windbreaker/raingear
Before You Hit The Trails
- Never hike alone (At least 4 adults)
- Tell someone where you are going, what your intended route is and when you are expected to return. (Click on the WSAR link and sign up for their free tracking service)
- Have emergency numbers programmed into your phone. (See below)
- Hike early in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid the heat of the sun. Best time to start is early in the morning but this is not always practical with young children so do be mindful of the heat. Take extra water and keep to the shaded areas of the trail or choose a hike with tree-lined trails.
- If you get lost, stop, assess the situation, and reach out for help. Do not panic.
Emergency Numbers
- Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) 021 937 0300
- Emergency Services from cell phone 112
- Police Flying Squad 10111
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but I tried to include some less familiar routes as well.
I also tried to cover the peninsula, from Simons Town to Hout Bay.
Enjoy and please leave some feedback on your experience of these trails.
1. The Pipetrack (Kloofnek/Camps Bay)
Start: Kloofnek Parking
Amenities: Public toilet
Information kiosk
Difficulty: Easy
Ages: All Ages
Distance: 9 km
The Pipe Track is a popular trail for hikers and trail runners. From the Kloofnek parking area the trail is an out and back, relatively straight-forward route with amazing views of the Atlantic seaboard.
The trail ends at the start of Corridor Ravine. In winter, after some rains there is a lovely little waterfall to dodge under before you get to the little cave where you can stop for a short picnic.
If the kiddos get tired along the way you can turn back at any time.
2. Lions Head Lower Contour Loop (Higgovale)
Start: LH Parking
Amenities: Coffee Truck
Difficulty: Easy
Ages: All Ages
Distance: 5km
A gorgeous loop around the base of Lions Head which can be done from either direction, although I highly recommend anti-clockwise, towards Signal Hill.
This is another hot spot for trail runners and provides spectacular views of the Atlantic seaboard and Camps
3. The Admiral's Waterfall (Simonstown)
Start: Barnard Street
Difficulty: Easy
Ages: All ages
Distance: 2.5km
Ages: All ages
This hike is short and sweet and ideal for children.
The hike starts in Barnard Street, but we parked in Simonstown Main Road and took a walk up.
Afterwards, you can take the walk up the endless stairs to the former naval base to get a bird’s eye view of the harbour and also visit the grave of Nuisance, the Great Dane.
4. Elsies Peak (Fish Hoek)
Start: Kommetjie Road
Amenities: Garages & shops
Distance: 4kms
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Ages: All ages
This trail starts at a convenient parking lot off Kommetjie Road, Fish Hoek. The hike is easy with some elevation. It’s a popular place for dog walkers. But the view is stunning, giving you a 360 of the peninsula.
Its an absolute hidden little gem.
The fynbos is also in bloom throughout the year.
Start: Deerpark Parking
Amenities: Toilets
Picnic Area
Distance: 5km
Dificulty: Easy
Ages: All ages
Deerpark is the petticoat of the Table Mountain National Park, almost a local secret, hidden under the skirt of the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can literally go from city living to mountain retreat in a heartbeat. The park can be accessed from the parking lot via Buitenkant Street that becomes Deerpark Avenue. Or it can be accessed from behind Herzlia High School in Goldschmidt Avenue.
You can hike a 5km loop through the park but there are plenty of well-worn trails to explore and a boardwalk that runs along a bubbling stream. Its popular with runners and dog walkers and is notable for the Muslim shrines (Kramats) of Saints buried in the area.
After the hike you can have a picnic anywhere on the grassy areas or at one of the designated picnic spots.
Deerpark is a beloved venue for parties and wedding photo shoots and is frequented by Rastafarians who consider the area sacred.
The Kings Blockhouse (Upper Woodstock)
Start of Trail: There are as many ways to reach The King’s Blockhouse aka The House of Pain, as there are ways to make a koe’sister in Cape Town
- Newlands Forest or
- UCT Upper Campus or
- Rhodes Memorial Parking (temporarily closed due to a fire in 2021) or
- Tafelberg Road from Kloofnek or from Deerpark
Distance: Varies
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Ages: All
Where you start the trail will determine the difficulty of the hike. You can stick to the jeep track or for the more adventurous, the mountain bike trails are accessible on foot.
For the particularly masochistic, you can also try the route used by the UTCT 35km race.
There are many users in these areas so look out for dog walkers, runners and mountain bikers.
Lovely views of the Atlantic Ocean & Robben Island, the Westcoast and the Cape Flats as well as the city bowl are visible from The Blockhouse.
It’s a stone’s throw from Woodstock, Salt River & Mowbray, but please don’t throw stones. People are still sleeping.
7. Hout Bay Beach Walk
Start: Hout Bay Beach
Amenities: Restaurants
Distance: 2.5km
Difficulty: Easy
Ages: All
The Republic of Hout Bay is a harbour town at the bottom of the famous Chapman’s Peak, bane of many a Two Oceans Ultra Marathon Runner, as famous for its fish and chips as it’s cheeky seals.
There is a convenient parking area at the Velocity gym with excellent parking guards to watch your vehicle.
You can take an easy walk along the beach all the way to Mariner’s Wharf, famous for their fish and chips, but the locals will tell you the best fish and chips can be found at Fish On The Rocks.
Start: Cecilia Parking
Distance: 4 – 6km
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Ages: All
This hike can be started in two ways … you can go straight up the jeep track from the boom to the contour that will take you to the waterfalls or you can take the first path right off the jeep track.
You will see a sign that says ‘Cecilia Ravine/Spilhaus Ravine’. Here you will walk along a beautiful, shaded stream that is the more scenic option.
There is a bit of elevation on this hike but nothing too strenuous and the waterfalls are well worth the effort.
You can come back via the same route, or you can climb out via Rooikat, with a nice view of the dam.
This route is also spectacular in winter after some heavy rains. It will be a bit slippery, but the additional random waterfalls along the route are a treat.
Update: Click to read our latest family-friendly excursion to the waterfall.
9. Newlands Forest Loop
Start: Newlands Parking
Amenities: Toilets
Distance: 6km
Difficulty: Easy
Ages: All
No list of hikes in Cape Town would be complete without mentioning Newlands Forest.
There are several paths to take which is part of the adventure. Each time you can explore a different option.
I would also recommend the Woodcutters Trail which is an easy walk. Depending on the ages and fitness of the child/ren, you can also just stay close to the major paths.
You will know you are at the contour once you reach a boardwalk. You may also encounter a weir and if we get some late spring rains, the river should be quite full. The kids love to get their feet wet. Literally.
Newlands is very popular for runners, dog walkers and Capetonians of all ages. It’s perfect on hot summer days because the trees provide shade and unlike most trails with exposure to the sun, can be explored throughout the day.
Take time to explore and maybe even get lost a little bit.
It is easy to get lost in Newlands Forest, there are just too many paths to take. If you do feel a bit disoriented, don’t be shy to ask someone for directions.
Some good advice from our friend, Haley, is to look towards the Newlands rugby stadium and use it as an eye-mark to orienteer yourself.
Eye-mark: Term coined by my late mother because it made more sense than ‘landmark’.
Unlike me, she had a sense of direction. She would pick a landmark and note it’s location with her eye. Perfectly logical. Hence ‘eye-mark’.
10. De Villiers Dam via The Bridle Path
Start: Constantia Nek Parking
Amenities: Coffee Truck
Distance: 6km
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Ages: All
There are many trails leading from Constantia Nek. One of the easiest and most child friendly is The Bridle Path, where you basically stick to the jeep track all the way until you get to the overseers’ hut.
You will see a path diverge to your left leading to De Villiers Dam. There is big marker, you can’t miss it.
You can stop and have a picnic at the dam.
Please note swimming is not allowed. Don’t be that person.
If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you can turn right instead and go to Woodhead Dam via Echo Valley, but it will add another hour to your hike.
This list was a lot harder to compile than I initially expected. I would have liked to include more trails.
I haven’t done some of these trails myself recently but will make an effort to do them soon and update accordingly.
Meanwhile, if you have any additional info to add, please let me know in the comments below and I am happy to update.
PS: Would this be a good time to say I am lousy with directions? But these trails are pretty straight forward; not even I can get lost on them.
Have fun. Stay safe. Keep trailin’!
Hiking with kids is not about the miles
Its about the smiles
Unknown
Update:
Harold Porter Botanical Gardens Hiking Trails
As child-friendly as they come. Check it out below: