Outdoor Adventures©

Camping? Hiking? Fishing? Rock-climbing? We have you covered. Featured is a great guide on where to go and what to do to experience the outdoor experience in full throttle. Now you no longer have to worry about scouring search engines for outdoor places in Cape Town. You can get all your information in one place. Or simply browse our gallery for the amazing scenery.

Hiking
Camping
Fishing
Rock-climbing

Hiking

People of all ages enjoy hiking because it strengthens friendships, allows you to get closer Cape Town's diverse natural environment and offers an escape from the daily grind. On your doorstep there may well be more walking and hiking routes than in any other place in the world from tough hikes to Sunday afternoon strolls and from seaside walks to urban adventures. Grab your hiking boots, a bottle of water and the rest of the family to embark on a cheap and healthy hike in Cape Town and Surrounds.

1 – Lion's Head Full Moon Hike Distance: 5km Time: 3 hours Walk up the jeep track and begin to work clockwise around the mountain where you will spot Silver trees, rock kestrels and, after a slight rise, views of Table View, Robben Island and Signal Hill. Navigate the lower contour path to the summit over secure rock scrambles, chains and ladders. Visitors often take a picnic and a bottle of wine to the summit and enjoy spectacular views of the sunset and full moon. Read more about the Full Moon Hikewo routes Difficulty: Moderate
2 – Table Mountain: Skeleton Gorge to Maclears Beacon Distance: 4km Time: 2-4 hours From the intersection of Skeleton Gorge and the Contour Path climb up the rocky steps and ladders of the Smuts Track which are shaded by Afromontaine Forest. After Breakfast Rock the path levels out towards Maclears Beacon and affords panoramic views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. You'll pass three minor rock scrambles before you reach your final destination.
3 – Chapman's Peak Distance: 6km Time: 3 hours Start 700m before the major lookout point at the drives highest point and after a 30 minute hike you'll arrive at a crossroads on the plateau between Noordhoek Peak and Chapman's Peak. Turn right and head along Lower Chapman's Peak, round the corner to Chapman's Peak proper, cross the small saddle and begin the final ascent and scramble to the peak. You'll see Hout Bay, Karbonkelberg and the Noordhoek Amphitheatre.
4 – Cape Point Distance: 4km Time: 2-3 hours Take the south east path from Rooikrans through high bush which later descends in long steep zig zags before it reaches broad rocky ledges. If you decide to fish you might catch snoek and yellowtail and on your return journey you should look out for the Diaz Cross Replica and animals including zebras and rheboks. Make a day of it with a ride on Cape Point's Flying Dutchman
5 – Kirstenbosch to Constantia Nek Distance: 6km Time: 4 hours Your walk begins with magnificent views of Kirstenbosch and the southern peninsula at the start of the Smuts Track which is an initial gravel path which later turns right into the forest. Take the second jeep track and follow signs for Newlands Forest to the intersection of the Contour Path and Skeleton Gorge. Follow the sign for Nursery Ravine through mountain fynbos before the path widens to become a jeep track through Cecilia Forest after the second intersection. At the stone wall take the upper track and walk straight ahead until you arrive at the forest entrance.

Camping

It’s tent-pitching season. Here are some awesome spots to do it in the Cape. Whether you’re looking for back-to-basics beauty, a fun family getaway, or a romantic retreat, we’ve got you covered with our picks of campsites in the Cape. As always, if we’ve left any of your favourites out, please let us know in the comments…

1- Secret Falls Roughly 100 kilometres from Cape Town lies this tranquil campsite tucked in the Winterhoek Mountains. Here, there’s no shortage of peace, quiet and spectacular views. This campsite has it’s own private spring-water swimming pool, so there’s loads of dipping to be had. Expect an abundance of fynbos, hiking trails, waterfalls and rockpools. And if you’re adventurous enough, go ziplining in nearby Ceres.
2- Berverlac Tucked away in the Groot Winterhoek Mountains above Porterville, this charming no-fuss campsite epitomises the great outdoors in all its rugged majesty. Enjoy a wide variety of dog-friendly hiking trails up the Groot Winterhoek Mountains followed by a dip in one of the rockpools and waterfalls. You might even stumble upon some of the area’s famed rock art. There are also some great mountain-biking trails for intrepid travellers.
3 – DRIEHOEK GUEST FARM A working farm set among the mountains and rivers of the Cederberg. The region provides the ultimate escape from city life and, while the farm is a treasure in its own right, it also serves as a perfect base for exploring what is one of the country’s most hauntingly beautiful landscapes.Explore the Cederberg on one of the farm’s many walking trails, passing by rock formations, waterfalls and natural pools where you can enjoy a refreshing dip. Hardier types will want to test their stamina on some of the hiking trails that run throughout the surrounding mountains, while kids will enjoy hanging out with Driehoek’s assortment of amicable farm animals.
4 – BONTEBOK NATIONAL PARK Located on the banks of the Breede River near Swellendam, the Elsie’s Kraal rest camp offers stunning views of the river and the Langeberg Mountains. Under the majestic backdrop of the Langeberg Mountains, visitors can enjoy swimming, river-rafting, fishing, bird-watching, and mountain hiking trails. With a maximum of six people per camping site, friends and family can enjoy picnics and braais in good company.
5 – THE BATHS NATURAL HOT SPRINGS RESORT Just outside Citrusdal in the scenic Olifants River Valley, this rustic resort dating back to 1739 provides campers with the ultimate relaxing escape. Enjoy the various hiking trails with views of Olifants River Valley, explore the town or chill at the campsite where there is a small onsite playground for children, a trampoline and tennis court. With natural hot springs, this campsite is all about relaxed outdoor living.

Fishing

Fishing is a relaxing and enjoyable activity and can be an opportunity to teach children about nature. Bring the whole family and enjoy a braai or picnic. Here are a few child-friendly catch and release fishing spots in Cape Town, each offers fishing and loads of other activities and fun things to do.

1- La Lancha can be found on The Klein Bottelary Farm on Bottelary Road in Cape Town. Bring the family and enjoy the Cape Winelands with a picnic and some fishing, they also have braai facilities on request. The Fischer Haven Dam is famous for its Bass fishing and there are a few good places to fish along the dam including some jetties. Children are welcome to come along and fish as long as they are supervised. There is a small fee to fish for the day or you can join their membership and come and enjoy the fishing on a regular basis. La Lancha also offers great entertainment including, drumming, fire dancing, outdoor movies and a number of local music and theatre productions. Their family restaurant offers great food and the facilities can be hired for functions.
2 -Stream X fly Fishing Fly fish the Western Cape's pristine streams, filled with lovely rainbow and brown trout, and in breathtaking scenery. If streams aren't your thing we have beautiful still waters with large rainbow trout or bass. The salt water fly fishermen can chose between challenging surf conditions on reefs or flat calm conditions in estuaries, targeting elf (bluefish), garrick or guitarfish. The brave can tackle the cape sailfish (snoek), yellowtail or tuna offshore. StreamX will facilitate your trip, ensure you have a pleasant guided experience & provide the equipment you need. We also have well stocked fly-fishing shop twenty minutes from the centre of Cape Town. PLEASE
3 – Awesome Charters Experience angling at the southern most tip of Africa with Awesome Charters, a saltwater fishing charter, based in Struisbaai. Based in the Struisbaai harbour, this professional charter company offers an array of tailored experiences to suit your pocket. Using a 28ft cat powered by two 140HP Suzuki engines as well as a second boat, a 26ft cat powered by twin 115 Suzuki outboards, the charter offers space for groups of up to 10 anglers. The boats are checked regularly by Marine Coastal Management to ensure a safe fishing charter experience. Some of the charter options include; 6 Hours of deep sea; 3 Hours afternoon fishing charter; sundowner cruises and pleasure trips. Try your hand at catching big game fish like yellowtail, steenbras, black and striped marlin and hammerhead with a crew boasting over 50 years experience. With their child-friendly policy and champagne sunset cruises on offer, chartering a boat with Awesome Charters is the perfect experience for the whole family.
4 - Witsrand A visit to The Breede River Lodge in Witsand wouldn’t be complete without guests taking advantage of the wonderful fishing and boating facilities, and ideal conditions for kite surfing, traditional surfing, and other water sports. Enjoy a day’s fishing, or simply cruise around past the historic Infanta holiday village, onto one of the oldest lighthouses along the coast, all the time in winter dodging those whales. Learn about the local seabird population, fishing resources and those whales. Refreshments are provided, but you will be back well in time for lunch, or supper, should the weather allow an afternoon trip. Top skipper, refreshments and bait included!
5 – Langebaan Fly Fish Cape Town takes advantage of the excellent fresh water and salt water conditions that are in and around the Mother City. This company was established by accomplished fly fisherman, Graeme Field, who is also an international fly fishing guide and freelance journalist and photographer. He shares his experience and knowledge with locals and visitors from all corners of the world, showcasing the abundance of the Western Cape. Whether you have years of fly fishing experience behind you, or you simply want to try your hand at something new, Fly Fish Cape Town will cater to your time frames and requirements.

Rock-climbing

The Cape is full of mountains and provides a mecca of climbing. Cape Town being the main center is a good base to start from. There are a few clubs mainly the MCSA Cape Town Section which has over 1200 members and a bouldering wall in their club room. The University also has a good bouldering wall and there is a climbing gym in Cape Town too. Good climbing is only a few minutes drive from Cape Town and the furthermost areas about 4-5 hours away.

1 - SA Climbing Academy There is nothing that boosts self-confidence, focus and concentration, support and trust, pre-planning skills and fitness more than Rock Climbing! The South African Climbing Academy offers training courses for school learners and adults wanting to learn about rock climbing and bouldering, as well as being a training facility for rock climbers. Our wall was designed by Andrew Pedley, a top South African climber. The simple angled design opens many options for specialised training such as power endurance. The training walls are angled at 15º, 30º, 45 º, 90 º, and are 4.8m in height (In accordance with the IFSC standard for bouldering) but climbing for junior and beginner climbers is only to the 3 m red line. The training routes are colour marked according to various difficulties (based on the Fontainebleau circuit grading system).
2 - The Paarl Rock The views from Paarl Rock are nothing short of breath-taking, providing perfect backdrops for a hike or walk, and stunning photographs. At just two kilometres from the historical town of Paarl, just outside Cape Town in the Western Cape, Paarl Rock is in the heart of the world-famous Cape Winelands. Rock climbing is, naturally, a popular pastime for visitors to Paarl Rock. It is a relatively easy climb, manageable even by children that are somewhat used to exploring their surrounds. The height is impressive, and the surrounding vistas exquisite. The entire reserve around Paarl Rock is home to an array of trails, giving those who want to explore the beauty on foot plenty of opportunities to do so. The shortest of these trails is 2.5 kilometres, and the longest 10 kilometres. The climb from Paarl Rock to the top of the second rock (Bretagna Rock) should take hikers an hour each way. When in this area, visitors are also encouraged to explore the mountain biking trails, fishing opportunities and the endless variety of bird species. Picnics and braais at the foot of Paarl Rock are the perfect way to end this memorable experience.
3 - CityRock is Cape Town's centre for all things related to the sport of Rock Climbing. The facility at CityRock features a large top rope and lead climbing area with Introductory lessons taught numerous times every week. They also offer a large bouldering cave. Children aged 5 and above love the fun and excitement of climbing. The sport of indoor climbing also makes for a great social event for kids. and adults alike. Learn the ropes! For first-time climbers, CityRock offers a special two-hour intro class. No prior climbing experience or gear is required.
4 - Table Mountain towers more than a 1 000m above the Mother City. This is South Africa’s most recognised landmark. Greater Cape Town and its southern suburbs nestle against the bulk of the mountain range, which stretches from Signal Hill above Table Bay to Cape Point in the south.