Cape
Caves Galore.
Important note Although the Cape is rich in
natural beauty, tourists and locals are urged to take necessary precautions
when exploring secluded areas, as crimes and accidents do happen.
Those venturing into the Table Mountain National Park should have the
following emergency numbers on hand: 086 110 6417/ 107 or 021 480 7700.
Criminal incidents should be reported to the nearest police station as soon as
able.
We also recommend @safetymountain as a useful resource for hikers. This free safety
tracking service allows you to notify local trackers of your contact details,
intended route and travel time via whatsapp. You are then able to provide
hourly updates on your progress, and to notify trackers when you are safely off
the mountain.
1.
Boomslang Cave
Found above Kalk Bay, Boomslang Cave is particularly good for
less-experienced cave explorers and hikers. This moderate two-hour hike offers
the chance to test yourself with some novice caving, as it leads through the
belly of the mountain for about 100 metres, or so.
Why we love it For the amazing views – including of the colourful Kalk Bay harbour below – and
the wonderful scenery and vegetation, such as the beautiful Echo Valley.
What lies within Many bats call this cave home – so please help
protect these little guys by keeping the sound and disturbance level to a
minimum. Near its entrance, you’ll find another smaller cave, White Dome
Grotto; while inside, you will discover a labyrinth of tunnels.
Good to know Pack a flashlight or headlamp (and long pants too, if
you don’t want to get wet or dirty) – or you won’t be able to venture beyond
the cave mouth safely. If you’re claustrophobic, maybe give this a miss, as
leopard crawling is necessary to reach the other side. It can get rather wet
during the rainy months, so it’s a good one to save for spring or summer.
Getting there Climb up Boyes Drive until you reach a sign
indicating Echo Valley and follow the trail until you reach the vast crack and
Boomslang Cave entrance. Alternatively, you can hike up through Silvermine
Nature Reserve, from Ou Kaapse Weg side.
2.
Klipgat Cave, Gansbaai
A mere three kilometres from the idyllic De Kelders fishing village is
the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, home to Klipgat Cave and its limestone windows
looking out onto the ocean. The cave reached cultural, historical and world
heritage significance due to the 1992 excavation, which revealed stone tools
and human bones dating back some 70 000 years.
Why we love it It is one of the best whale-watching spots in the Cape.
What lies within Klipgat Cave has two chambers: the first has a
rugged rocky surface and leads to the sea; the second is a small entryway that
leads to the main cave excavation site and has a circular boardwalk going
around the historical site.
Good to know It’s best to go at low-tide. Bring good hiking shoes,
as the cave can be slippery, and a warm jacket as it can get windy.
Getting there Head along the N2 towards Gansbaai. The 7km-long
trail towards Klipgat Cave starts at Gansbaai Harbour and boasts lovely views of
the ocean and the occasional fynbos. But if you don’t feel like the walk,
simply drive to Walker Bay Nature Reserve via Hermanus and take the boardwalk
down to the cave. There is still a bit of climbing before you reach the cave.
3.
Waenhuiskrans Cave, Arniston
If you have pirate tendencies (and are seeking a place to bury
treasure), this is the cave you’ve been looking for. It lies just off the sandy
shoreline of Arniston, but explorers will need to wait for lowtide before
making their way through the shallow water to the cave entrance (be careful as
you navigate the slippery, seaweed-strewn rocks that lie beneath the water’s
surface).
Why we love it The peaceful fishing village of Arniston has many
attractions: turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and a shipwreck-strewn coastline rich in history and heritage.
But this hidden gem is its pride and joy. Light pours in through the entrance,
creating a striking contrast between the dark interior and the vibrant ocean
beyond. After you’ve taken a moment to marvel at nature’s craftsmanship (the
cave was fashioned over the course of centuries by the movement of the tides),
you can explore the many rockpools that lie scattered throughout.
What lies within All manner of sea dwellers have been carried in on
the tides, and many of them have taken up residence within the cave rather than
return to the open ocean. There’s a variety of rock-dwelling marine life, and
one explorer even found an octopus.
Fun fact Waenhuiskrans means wagon house cliff, and arises from an
old legend that the cave is big enough for an ox wagon to do a full turn
inside.
Important note The cave can only be accessed during low tide. Do
not even attempt the hike at any other time. It’s best if you don’t carry much
with you, and you should bring shoes that are appropriate for traversing a
slippery rock bed. Be sure to contact Cape Agulhas Tourism (028 424 2584 or 028
424 2883) for information on the tides.
Getting there As you enter Arniston, there’ll be a signpost
pointing the way to the cave. Follow the road to a beachside parking lot, where
you can leave your car. Follow the CapeNature signposts to Waenhuiskrans Nature
Reserve, until you see a set of stone stairs leading down into the water. You
can reach the smaller section of the cave from here, but once inside, you’ll
need to crawl through a small opening at the back to access the larger cave.
4.
Woodstock Cave
Easily discernible from De Waal Drive, this cave is impressive in its
size, and forms a long horizontal crack in the Devil’s Peak mountainside.
Access it via Tafelberg Road or Rhodes Memorial; both are moderate hikes and
take roughly an hour (one-way).
Why we love it It is one of the largest caves on Table Mountain –
50 metres wide, and 15 metres deep. It allows for some fun cave exploration
and, indeed, startlingly beautiful scenery and lovely flower-spotting on the way
up.
What lies within Woodstock Cave bears graffiti, and during
winter, a waterfall cascades from its upper lip.
Sometimes, apparently, it is used for religious gatherings…
Good to know For safety, it’s best to hike here in a group (and
leave valuables at home). Also, as you tread through the Cape terrain, be wary
of snakes during the hotter months, and lace up with good hiking shoes.
Getting there If you choose Tafelberg Road, head past Table
Mountain’s lower cable station until you reach a dirt road and a metal,
pillared gate. From here, the hike zigzags up the slope. Otherwise, start at
Rhodes Memorial parking lot and follow the path towards Kings Blockhouse. From
there, continue along the path around the mountain towards Cape Town, until you
pass a ravine and eventually reach the cave.
5.
Peers Cave, Fish Hoek
Above the Fish Hoek dunes, you’ll find a great overhang of incredible
rock faces, which forms part of Peers Cave. The hike up is easy (and roughly 20
minutes), but as you reach the top it becomes rockier and the path less
defined. Once inside, hikers are protected from the north-easterly winds, so
pack a picnic and enjoy the stunning view of Noordhoek and beyond, towards the
dazzling sea.
Why we love it for its fascinating history: it was named after
Victor Peers who, with his son, excavated the cave in 1927 and found a roughly
13 000-year-old human skull.
What lies within You might be able to find remnants of sea shells,
as during excavations, shells were found deep in the cave that are usually only
found 5km into the ocean.
Good to know There have been reports of crimes and muggings at the
marked parking spot and along the hike itself. Rather Park by the
retirement home down the road, and pay the security guard to look after your
car. Go in large groups to avoid being targeted and leave your valuables
at home.
Getting there Drive towards Noordhoek over Ou Kaapse Weg (M64) from
Cape Town. At Silvermine Road take a left towards the retirement homes and park
there. Head back along Silvermine Road towards the marked parking spot, where
you will find the start of the trail.
6.
Stadsaal Caves, Cederberg
The Cederberg Wilderness is like something out of a dream world: a vast
and haunting landscape, dotted with ancient rock formations that have borne
silent witness to the movement of time. Stadsaal Caves, a series of caverns
carved into the rock by thousands of years’ worth of wind erosion, was once a
sacred landmark for the Bushmen who wandered these lands. It is also rumoured
to have been a meeting ground for the leaders of the National Party, just
before they came to power in the 1948 election. The latter is an unfortunate
association, but the cave was here thousands of years before DF Malan and his
crew tainted it, and it will be here for thousands more…
Why we love it These caves, together with other nearby landmarks
such as the Wolfberg Arch and the Maltese Cross, may seem like the ruins of an
ancient city built by giants. But they were forged entirely by nature. Standing
within the caverns, you feel part of something sacred, and it’s no wonder the
San people saw fit to leave their own legacy here in the form of decorative
rock art.
What lies within Rock paintings believed to date back 1 000 years,
depicting the elephants that once roamed the Cederberg. The paintings are well-preserved,
thanks to the longevity of materials made from ochre rock, with which the
Bushman used to paint.
Good to know The Cederberg Wilderness is a CapeNature reserve, so
you’ll need a permit to enter. They can be purchased at Driehoek Farm, en route
to the Cederberg, or from CapeNature (021 483 0190). Permits cost R70 (adults)
and R40 (children).
Getting there Follow the N7 to Citrusdal. Continue following it
north from Citrusdal, and take the Algeria turnoff to the right, onto a dirt
road. Continue on to the Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, where the caves are
located around 5km from Algeria campsite. There is a gate barring the entrance
to the caves, which can be unlocked with the combination attached to your
CapeNature permit.
7.
Tartarus Cave, Muizenberg
Feel like reliving your childhood, with a jump down the rabbit hole?
That is what exploring Tartarus Cave feels like, but it isn’t for the faint of
heart. Down a small hole in the ground lies roughly 50 metres of chambers, set
into Silvermine’s mountainside. It’s an easy walk to the cave on a steep
incline, so it is best enjoyed from September to December when it is mostly
shaded and the flora and fauna are on full display.
Why we love it The trail to the cave is surrounded by gorgeous
vegetation, and in whale season, the gentle giants can be spotted frolicking in
the bay below.
What lies within a narrow underground passage, which leads to a
large slippery-edged pit. Be careful, this is where the cave becomes dangerous.
Good to know It is advised to go in groups and not to venture too
deep into Tartarus Cave, unless you are with someone who knows the cave well.
Bring a flashlight or dare to find your courage in this unlikely place.
Getting there From Muizenberg, drive towards 110 Boyes Drive and
park your car at the Bailey’s Kloof sign (it’s opposite the shark watcher’s
post). There you will find a footpath, follow the jeep track passed the
“Amphitheatre” stone beacon for about 30 minutes until you see a 1.5-metre hole
in the ground. That is the start of Tartarus Cave.
8.
Elands Bay Cave, Elands Bay
Baboon Point (Bobbejaanberg) is a popular local attraction – and with it, Elands Bay Cave. Declared a provincial heritage site in 2009, it is the only area along the entire West Coast to offer such a significant concentration of heritage resources, while Elands Bay Cave offers amazing Bushman rock art and similarly stunning scenic views.
Why we love it for the magnificent views. The promontory is also the only place between the Cape Peninsula and Orange River where the mountain comes down to meet the sea in such an impactful way.
What lies within beautiful rock paintings done by the Bushmen thousands of years ago. You will discover a multitude of tiny handprints and a few human figures, too.
Good to know Keep an eye out for snakes during the warmer months.
Getting there Drive past the crayfish factory and head around the point until you pass three dilapidated former WWII buildings and a gravel road. Drive as far as you can and then walk the rest of the way to the cave.
