CapeNature Access Week 2026: Free entry to 23 Western Cape Nature Reserves

Travellers visiting the Western Cape from 19 to 25 September 2026 can take advantage of CapeNature's 12th annual Access Week, with free day entry offered at 23 participating nature reserves across the province.

The initiative is a good opportunity to explore some of the Western Cape's best hiking, fynbos, coastal and wildlife destinations without paying the usual conservation entrance fee. Participating reserves range from Jonkershoek and Kogelberg near Cape Town to De Hoop, Robberg, Swartberg and Anysberg further afield.

Which reserves are participating?

The 23 reserves taking part are:

West Coast: Groot Winterhoek, Bird Island and Rocherpan

Central: Kogelberg, Hottentots Holland, Jonkershoek, Assegaaibosch, Limietberg and Stony Point

South: Walker Bay, De Mond, De Hoop, Marloth, Grootvadersbosch, Geelkrans and Vrolijkheid

Garden Route: Robberg, Keurbooms River, Goukamma and Outeniqua

Karoo: Swartberg, Gamkaberg and Anysberg

For visitors planning a spring road trip, the Access Week could be a particularly good reason to add a reserve that might otherwise have been skipped. Popular options include the hiking trails of Jonkershoek and Groot Winterhoek, the coastline at Robberg and De Hoop, and the Cape mountain scenery of Kogelberg and Swartberg.

What travellers need to know before visiting

There are a few important conditions attached to the free entry offer:

• Walk-in visitors only: Simply arrive at the reserve during normal operating hours. No booking is required.
• Do not book if you want free entry: Visitors making reservations through the CapeNature Contact Centre or online booking system will be charged the normal entrance fee.
• Capacity limits apply: Entry is not guaranteed once a reserve reaches its visitor capacity. Arriving early is advisable, especially at popular reserves.
• General day entry only: The offer includes access for activities such as hiking and mountain biking where these are normally permitted, but excludes activities such as the Whale Trail, certain partner or concession areas and commercial activities.
• Check access before travelling: Temporary closures or restrictions may affect parts of individual reserves.

CapeNature's 2026 theme, "Nature is for Everyone," makes this one of the Western Cape's useful annual opportunities for budget-conscious travellers to experience the province's protected landscapes for free. If you're in the region during the week, it may be worth planning your itinerary around one or two of the participating reserves — particularly those you have not yet visited.

CapeNature Access Week runs from 19 to 25 September 2026.

 

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Table Mountain National Park: Temporary closure of Newlands picnic site!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Newlands Picnic Site in Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town has been closed since 19 November 2025 for the RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town®. The site will serve as the final aid station for participants before they cross the finish line, with the closure remaining in effect until 24 November 2025.

Visitors are encouraged to explore alternative picnic spots within Table Mountain National Park, such as Oudekraal, Tokai, or Silvermine, and SANParks apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

The RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town® attracts trail runners from around the world to experience the stunning mountain trails of the Cape Peninsula. Distances range from the 16km route up to the challenging 100-mile race, offering options for all levels. Participants and spectators alike can enjoy Cape Town's dramatic landscapes, where Table Mountain National Park stretches from Table Bay to Cape Point, flanked by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

 

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Table Mountain National Park update: Hiking trail closures & reopenings after recent fires!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued an important update regarding trail access in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in Cape Town following the recent wildfires in the Camps Bay area. While many popular routes have now reopened, SANParks is urging all hikers and visitors to remain cautious, as fire-affected areas may still pose risks.
According to SANParks, the following hiking trails and access points in the northern section of Table Mountain National Park are now open again to the public:

• Footpaths and jeep tracks leading to Camps Bay
• Pipe Track
• Theresa Avenue and Geneva Avenue access points
• All footpaths connecting Camps Bay from the Back Table and Apostle Battery
• Trails above the Twelve Apostles

Access to trails in the Deer Park area remains closed due to lingering hot spots and safety concerns. Deer Park is located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, just above the suburb of Vredehoek, and is a popular access point for short hikes, dog walking, and connecting routes to Devil’s Peak and the Contour Path. Visitors are strongly advised to avoid this section until further notice.

SANParks teams are actively monitoring flare-ups and carrying out mop-up operations to ensure visitor safety. All hikers are reminded to:

• Stay on designated open trails
• Be alert for falling rocks, unstable ground, or smoldering vegetation
• Follow official SANParks guidance at all times

Table Mountain National Park remains one of Cape Town's most iconic attractions, drawing both locals and international visitors for its breathtaking scenery and diverse hiking opportunities. If you are planning a hike in the coming days, check for real-time updates from SANParks before heading out.

By exercising caution and respecting temporary closures, visitors can help ensure that Table Mountain’s unique biodiversity recovers quickly after the recent fires. 

 

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South Africa: 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships coming to Cape Town!

Cape Town, South Africa, has been officially selected to host the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, marking the first time this prestigious global event will be held on African soil. Taking place from 6 to 10 October 2027, the championships are expected to attract around 1,200 elite athletes from more than 80 nations, alongside 2,000+ amateur runners joining in mass-participation events. With the iconic Table Mountain and its surrounding rugged terrain providing the ultimate natural stage, participants and spectators can look forward to a spectacular blend of world-class competition and breathtaking scenery. From steep ascents and technical descents to sweeping ocean views, Cape Town promises an unforgettable experience for runners and fans alike.

The 2027 edition will feature a diverse programme of races, including four senior events - Classic (up & down), Uphill, Short Trail, and Long Trail - as well as an U20 competition for emerging young athletes. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe welcomed the announcement, saying: “It is always exciting when a major athletics event is staged in a new continent for the first time. I have every faith that Cape Town will prove to be a spectacular host.” Local leaders have echoed this enthusiasm: Cape Town's Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis described the city as “a Wonder of the Natural World,” while Western Cape Sport MEC Ricardo Mackenzie emphasized the economic and tourism benefits that will come with hosting such a high-profile event. For trail-running enthusiasts and adventure travellers alike, the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Cape Town will be more than a race - it will be a celebration of endurance, natural beauty, and Africa’s growing global sporting presence.

 

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Image film: "Connected by trail" - trail running in the Western Cape!

Discover Cape Town & Western Cape (Discoverctwc), which forms part of Wesgro, the official Tourism, Trade & Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town & Western Cape, has teamed up with local top trail-runners Meg Mackenzie, Ryan Sandes, Stu McConnachie and Nic Rupanga to show the world just how epic – and diverse - the trails in the Western Cape really are. "Connected by trail" explores not only the trails themselves, but the trail running community that has transformed the sport from a niche pastime to a mainstream activity. Kudos! Enjoy!

Addo Elephant National Park: Zuurberg hiking trails will be closed on 31 May 2019!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Zuurberg walking trails in Addo Elephant National Park will be closed on Friday, 31 May 2019, due to the Great Zuurberg Trail Run taking place in that ("Zuurberg") section of the Park.



The Great Zuurberg Trail Run is a three-day stage race (31 May - 02 June 2019) that covers 60km. It takes runners through the untamed wild of Addo up to the Zuurberg mountains, and across remote sections of the Addo Elephant National Park.

Addo Elephant National Park: Closures in March 2019 due to the Addo Elephant Trail Run!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Zuurberg walking trails, the Mvubu campsite, the Kabouga cottage, the Narina bush camp as well as the 4x4 trail in Addo Elephant National Park will be closed between 15 - 17 March 2019 to accommodate the Addo Elephant Trail Run. Guests and overnight visitors to Addo Elephant National Park are also advised that traffic into and out of the main game viewing area will be rerouted for a period on 15 March 2019 due to the start of the trail running event.



The Addo Elephant Trail Run was the first triple ultra distance trail running event in South Africa, offering a choice of 100 Mile, 76km or 44km distance ultra-trail runs. The courses take runners through some of the most remote wilderness in the Addo Elephant National Park, through areas they would not be able to access any other way. Originally founded in 2005, the Addo Elephant Trail Run is South Africa's oldest 100 Mile ultra trail race.

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse in 41hrs 49min! (video)

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is one of the toughest hikes in the Drakensberg mountain range in South Africa. The approx. 205km - 220km hike, which starts Sentinel car park at Witsieshoek and ends at the Bushman's Nek Border Post, has no prescribed route, but certain checkpoints must be completed along the way. These checkpoints are all above 3,000m and include the highest point in South Africa (Mafadi) as well as the highest point in Southern Africa (Thabana Ntlenyana, Lesotho). The Drakensberg Grand Traverse takes experienced hikes usually six to 12 days to complete. Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel, two South African ultra trail runners, had a different goal as the started speed hiking the trail at the end of March 2014. Their goal was to break the old record of 60hrs 29min to complete the trail. And they did it in just 41hrs 49min! Congrats Ryan & Ryno!



Drakensberg Grand Traverse checkpoints:

1. start: Sentinel car park at Witsieshoek (elevation: 2,625m | 0km)
2. Mont-Aux-Sources (3,282m | 8km)
3. Cleft peak (3,277m | 55km)
4. Champagne Castle (3,377m | 78km)
5. Mafadi (3,451m | 92km)
6. Giants Castle (3,314m | 118km)
7. Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482m | 145km)
8. end: Bushman's Nek Border Post (1,974m | 205km)