Closure of Clarence Drive in Cape Town: Steenbras Nature Reserve remains open!

The City of Cape Town has informed the public that the Steenbras Nature Reserve and the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail are open to the public despite the roadworks along a section of the Clarence Drive (R44) between km 53.5 (The Grill Shack) and km 56.5 (Steenbras Dam Mountain Pass). Those wanting to visit the Steenbras Nature Reserve are advised to approach from Rooi Els’ side.
The Clarence Drive is closed from 08:00 to 18:00 every day, with the exception of Sundays, from today (06 February 2023 to 21 February 2023. Heavy rains on 11 & 12 December 2022 caused the slopes above the section of the Clarence Drive between "The Grill Shack" and Steenbras Dam Mountain Pass to become unstable. The slope stabilisation repairs are scheduled to be complete by March 19 2023.
The Steenbras Nature Reserve forms part of the greater Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The area is often referred to as ‘the heart of the fynbos.’ With more than 1 600 plant species, it boasts the greatest floral diversity per unit area than anywhere else in the world. The Nature Reserve includes the well known Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail which is a popular destination for abseiling, kloof jumping and swimming in the rock pools.