Cape Town: Start of the booking season for the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail has to be postponed!

The City of Cape Town has informed the public that the start of the booking season for the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail has to be postponed due to ongoing repairs after the winter season rains. According to the City's media office, bookings for the trail will only open on 01 November 2024 for this hiking season. Bookings for the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail are typically open from 01 October each year, with hikes starting from 01 November. 

(c) City of Cape Town, Media Office

Cape Town recorded unusually high rainfall over a short period this past Winter season. As a result, the water levels raised significantly across the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail, allowing the Steenbras Nature Reserve team to assess parts of the trail only a few days ago. Unfortunately, the team has found that several sections of the hiking trail have been damaged. Necessary maintenance work started 27 September 2024 and the City of Cape Town is confident that the trail will be ready to open to the public by 01 November 2024. We'll keep you posted!

Steenbras River Gorge & Crystal Pools Hiking Trail Permit Regulations and Hiking Information (pdf)  >>

Western Cape: Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools Hiking Trail to reopen in November 2012

The Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools Hiking Trail, which forms part of the Steenbras Nature Reserve (Gordon’s Bay - 8km along the R44) and is also part of the greater Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, is scheduled to reopen on 01 November 2012. The hiking trail was closed in May 2011 due to fire damage, soil erosion, vegetation degradation, uncontrolled access and visitor safety issues.

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Cape Town's Environmental Resource Management Department has introduced a new permitting system and rules and regulations for the trail that will improve visitor safety and management of the area. According to the news system, only 50 people per day will be allowed to enter the area and visitors must be in possession of a pre-booked and paid permit in order to enter the area. No permits will be issued at the entrance to the gorge.
Until an electronic booking system is in place, bookings can be made at the Helderberg Nature Reserve main gate during operating hours. The gate hours are 07:30 – 20:00 from December to February; 07:30 – 19:00 in March and October; and 07:30 – 17:30 from April to October.
The following information is imperative to visitors planning a hike in the Steenbras Nature Reserve:

• Steenbras River Gorge is only open from 01 November to the end of April and will be closed during the winter period
• A maximum carrying capacity of 50 persons per day will be permitted to enter the area
• In the interests of visitor safety, a minimum of three and maximum of 10 persons per group will be allowed
• No children under the age of 12 will be allowed to walk in this area
• Hikers need to be fit to complete this trail
• There will be a tariff of R60,00 per person

Kogelberg Nature Reserve: The Palmiet River Walk (10km)

update (15 Feb 2012): The new Kogelberg Nature Reserve cabins (Oudebos Mountain Camp) have impressed the judges of the prestigious Holcim Foundation Sustainable Construction Awards, an international event that awards regional prizes every three years. More than 6 000 submissions were received, but the Oudebos Development stood out for its sustainable approach.
What the judges had to say: "The Kogelberg Nature Reserve is home to the most complex biodiversity on the planet, and as a contextualised feature the Oudebos Mountain Camp is a commendable example for good practice of balancing tourist needs and preservation aspects." For more info pls visit CapeNature's website!

update (26 Jan 2012): CapeNature recently opened five self-catering cabins in Kogelberg Nature Reserve. All cabins are built in harmony with nature and stylishly decorated. A cabin sleeps 4 persons, is equipped with modern amenities, contains two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious lounge, dining and kitchen area in which to unwind. For more info pls visit CapeNature's website!

The Kogelberg Nature Reserve, situated about 90km south-east of Cape Town and just outside the town of Kleinmond, is often considered as the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The reserve lies within the southern stretch of the Hottentots Holland mountain range, and has remained isolated and remarkably unspoilt. Its high mountain peaks, steep kloofs, valleys and several tributaries of the pristine Palmiet River create a sense of remote wilderness. The Kogelberg Nature Reserve has approximately 1650 plant species of which about 150 are endemic.

In the video, Michelle and her friends hike along the so-called Palmiet River Walk, which is 10km long, and takes 3 hours. It is a comfortable and easy hike, with resting areas along the route.
Permits are required for the walk and obtainable at CapeNature's Oudebosch Office at the start of the walk (from Kleinmond, when travelling towards Betty's Bay, cross the Palmiet River Bridge and turn right at the Kogelberg Nature Reserve sign). For more info, contact Kogelberg Nature Reserve (CapeNature). Maps should be available from the Hangklip-Kleinmond Tourism Bureau in Kleinmond.

Downhill skateboarding in South Africa - "Hot Heels 2011" (video)

If you like adrenalin rushs, speed and a good doze of crazyness you'll love this video. The annual dowhill skateboarding event "Hot Heels Africa" took place on 09-11 Dec 2011 on the tight two lane Buffelstal access road between Rooi Els and Pringle Bay in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, located approx. 60 km east of Cape Town. The course along the Buffelstal access road is about 1,9km long and the riders can reach a top spead of around 80km/h.
The event has been running since December 2003, so I reckon they will race down the Kogelberg road in 2012 again. Watch the following video and mark the date in your calendars - it does defo look like big fun!