MYBURGH’S WATERFALL RAVINE
South Africa
Posted by Jason Crowther | Aug 21, 2016 | Hiking Trails, Table Mountain
DURATION
5 – 6 hours
DIFFICULTY
Moderate – Difficult
TRAIL TYPE
Circular
DISTANCE
8 km
Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine is located at the top end of Hout Bay and is not for the feint hearted folk around. Not if you do a full circle trail that is. If you are up for the challenge though you will certainly be left with a sense of achievement and a big smile on your face. The full trail will take you approximately 5 hours to complete so it is a good idea to take plenty of water and a packed lunch.
Getting started on Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine
From Valley Road in Hout Bay, turn into Garron Avenue. At the top, turn right into Connamera Drive, and then left into Hunters Way. Farrier’s Way is a cul-de-sac on your right hand side. Please be mindful of the residents’ driveways when parking your car. You will find a wooden sign marking the start of the trail.
Heading up the secluded path you will encounter a gate with instructions to call a number in order to get the access key. It may seem a bit extreme for a hike but it is due to good reason. The area of Orange Kloof (next to Long Kloof) is one of the last remaining regions of indigenous forest in Cape Town and is therefore a restricted area. Once through the gate you will need to continue up the hill until you reach the contour path. Take a right and follow the path for about 5 minutes until you reach a shaded river bed. This is the start of Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine.
Heading up the river, the trail can be a bit difficult to follow in some sections. Keep in mind that you will be following the river and boulder hopping all the way to the top. When you reach the first waterfall, the trail heads up to the left and follows a narrow ridge before coming back down. Be sure to watch your footing as there are a lot of loose rocks and, in winter, a lot of water too!
The path soon switches sides following the river up the right hand side. Nearing the top of the ravine you will find yourself between two steep cliffs with the forest towering above you. This is an especially picturesque part of the hike. The path eventually turns off to the right, beginning the steep climb out of the ravine. This is probably the steepest section of the hike and you will need to keep your wits about you.
The trail eases off considerably once you are out of the ravine and heads off towards the Twelve Apostles with Judas Peak on your left. At the end of this stretch you will come to a T junction. Heading right will take you on to Corridor Ravine and Kasteelspoort. Left will take you down Llandudno ravine ending up above Suikerbossie. You will need to turn left.
This is also a great spot for some lunch and to admire the views over Oudekraal and Camps Bay.
Following the path down you will eventually come to a junction with some metal posts. Here you will need to head right, taking the path down Llandudno Ravine. The ravine is quite steep at first but eases off once you have navigated over the metal staples at the bottom. Follow the path towards Suikerbossie and admire the cliff face and views of Llandudno beach. Once at the bottom of Llandudno Ravine you can follow the contour path back to where you started at the Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine Hiking Trail.
