This morning we headed out for hike that is only 15 minutes from our home. We are trying to get the kilometres on our legs in preparation for a 5 day hike in January 2022. So out we went so climb a peak and get some exercise.
We started at a safe spot and started up the first section of the path. Initially the path leads alongside a security complex and then on to the Old Wapad, which means the Old Wagon Path. This path is the original route taken over this mountain range before the highway was built.
We continued up the winding Wapad for the first 2 kilometres, taking in the views as we climbed and I took photos of the early Summer flowers as we walked.
The constant moderate uphill keeps climbing and the higher you get, the better the views become.
Here you can see Tuin Peak in the Center of the picture and False Bay and Fishoek Town on the right. Soon the views would open up the higher we got.
My son stopped for a little break to wait for us because he had pulled ahead with his long legs and quick pace. But soon after, we turned left onto a single track path that headed toward the peaks. From this position we were surrounded by mountains and Fynbos (indigenous fine bush).
The single track was supposed to cut left towards Spitzkop Peak but we soon found out that the path was completely overgrown. So we continued on and eventually reached a T-junction in the paths and turned left.
The path followed a contour towards Spitzkop peak until the final 250 meter climb up the peak. This was the steepest section of the hike, but it was quick and extremely rewarding.
My son made it up to the top of the peak first and grabbed a spot on a rock to rest and look out over the valley.
I walked a few meters further to the beacon marking the official peak. The views from here are in fact better than from Noordhoek Peak which is higher and further up the jeep track.
From this perspective you can see the wine lands down below, the suburbs of Noordhoek and the vast white stretch of Noordhoek beach.
It is absolutely worth bringing a picnic on this hike to spend a little longer enjoying the peak, the little black lizards and the views of the valley.
Just as I was leaving the peak I spotted a Mountain Dahlia. I haven’t seen one before so a good friend told me the name. It’s amazing how hikers often become decent botanists.
The beautiful white Everlastings, also called Sewejaartjies, we’re blooming like snow on the mountain side.
We walked back along the same route until we got to the jeep track which eventually lead back to the car below. The walk down was much quicker than the walk up and we made good time.
Just before we reached the car we were flanked by small carpets of Vygies, the shocking pink flowers with paper-like petals. It’s a ground cover that spreads in dry Sandy ground and needs little water to survive. I admired it for a few seconds and as soon as my husband caught up to me, we headed to the car.
Here’s a map of the route we took to get to Spitzkop Peak in the Silvermine range:
If you’re ever in Cape Town make sure to do this easy hike and pop me a message and I’ll do it with you!
