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)  >>

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.

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.

View Larger Map

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