Closest Town: Simon's Town
Grading: Easy
Duration: 3-4 hours
Location (Area/Province): Peninsula and Winelands and Western Cape
Configuration: Various return options, up to 60km
Start Point: Anywhere in the reserve
Access: Park entry fees payable
Beware of: Tourist buses, heavy winds, baboons
Facilities: Ablutions, restaurant
Cell Reception: Intermittent
Get stuck into this easy ride along a network of tarred roads meandering through the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula. This may not be where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, but it is way more beautiful than Cape Aghulhas, so who cares. And don’t moan about the tarmac until you’ve experienced the views – it’s worth it all the way.
On your bike
Your starting point is right at the Cape Point Nature Reserve entrance gate, with a slight climb for the first few hundred metres before you dip down onto the fynbos plains. Pass turn-offs to your left (1.4km) and right (1.9km) to Olifantsbos; it is a gorgeous beach though, and if you have the time … If you decided to keep straight, turn right (4.9km) towards Gifkommetjie. Another option here would be to turn left just before Olifantsbos onto the only stretch of gravel in the park for a 3km jeep-track jol, thus ignoring the directions in the next paragraph.
If you stick to the tar, ignore the sign to Hoek van Bobbejaan (7.1km), rather continuing along the circular section past the viewpoint until you again T-bone with the main route to Cape Point (12.3km). Just on 2.8km later, a signboard to the right (15.1km) will indicate the turn-off to Platboom, a nice little downhill stretch to the sea (17.3km). Breathe in the fresh air and then head back up to the main drag (19.5km).
You’ll be doing a bit of up and down along the way and might feel it in your legs if the wind is pumping, but cruise on towards Cape Point. At 21.3km, hit a right towards Maclear Beach and the Cape of Good Hope (24.7km) – a part of Cape Point that most people don’t actually get to in their hurry to make it to the Point parking lot – and drink in the view. Finally, it’s time to climb back out and up to the main road (28.1km) and turn right – you’ll know you’ve arrived when you encounter the tourist buses and attendant baboon troop 3.2km later. Have a meal, hike to the lighthouse and then do the high-speed return run.
This is a leisurely cruise through coastal strandveld and fynbos plains, with occasional encounters with anything from eland, bontebok and zebra to excellent sightings of marine and terrestrial bird species, especially sunbirds and sugarbirds.
For more information on the reserve, check out our blogpost here!
Off your bike
Hiking down rocky shores to deserted beaches is one of the reserve’s major drawcards, but many families also visit to relax at the gorgeous picnic spots or the restaurant overlooking False Bay. The modern environmental centre and funicular up to the lighthouse are also popular. Just outside the entrance to the reserve you can seek out a working ostrich farm and an African curio market. Cape Point Vineyards are a must for anyone in search of an excellent coastal Sauvignon Blanc.
GPS: 34°15’41.5″ South / 18°27’28.5″
