The route is not for the
faint hearted or for those who are unfit and the circular route,
known as the Suikerbossie Circuit, will take approximately five
hours.
There are two options for the start:
a) From Constantia Nek, descend on the Main Road towards Hout Bay
and take the Disa Road turn-off to the right. At the end of this
road, turn left into Valley Road and then first right into Garron,
right into Connemara, left into Hunter’s, right into Farriers,
to the top. There is a path on the left, just before the end of
the road. Take this and ascend to the contour path which runs from
Suikerbossie to Orange Kloof (a restricted area). Turn right and
follow the contour path for a short distance to the wooded ravine,
ascending Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine.
b) Take the Suikerbossie turn-off from Atlantic Drive, opposite
Little Lion’s Head. Walk to the left of the entrance to the
housing estate. Follow the logged path alongside the restaurant
fence and ascend to the contour path and follow this to the right
until you reach a deep eroded gully, 60 min. Continue to the next,
wooded ravine and turn left, ascending Myburgh’s Waterfall
Ravine.
• In the ravine, follow cairns (a pile of two to three large rocks
placed at strategic points to mark the route, or a turn-off,
climbing route or change of direction). After approximately 15min
you will reach a cliff face to the left of the ravine, scramble
up these rocks to a higher level where the path continues into
the ravine.
• From here there is some boulder hopping in the ravine under
tall indigenous ancient trees to reach a point where you need
to go to your right, ascending a loose slope. Here you should
find a many disas growing amongst ferns and rocky crevices – a
good place for a break.
Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine is named after Hugo Hendrik
Myburgh who farmed near the foot of the ravine. The name of the
farm was Victor’s Kloof, the original owner being Cornelius
Victor to whom the land was granted in 1714. The story goes that
around 1890 two men, lost on the mountain in adverse weather
conditions, found their way to his homestead where they received
royal treatment. They were so impressed that they showed their
appreciation in the presentation of a silver cup which is now
in the possession of Mrs W Myburgh of St James.
Disas need very specific growing requirements – altitude,
aspect of mountain slope, running or dripping water (tap water
is unsuitable because of the chemicals), mist from the south-easter,
the right soil. This is the reason why specific disas will only
grow on certain parts of the mountain and not all over.
• Continue along the rock face, which can be slippery, boulder
hop along the gorge which becomes narrower as you climb, occasionally
dotted with disas high on the rock face. Higher in the gorge,
you will reach a waterfall but take the path to the right as
the waterfall can be very slippery and there is also the possibility
that you may trample the disa plants. After ascending the path,
you cross the waterfall to the opposite side and ascend on a
clear path where the ravine opens out, offering views over Orange
Kloof, with the Cape Flats and False Bay in the distance. From
here it is a gentle ascent of approximately 20min until you reach
a grassy area and the main path that runs from the top of Llandudno
Ravine to your left and the Apostle Path to your right.
• Turn left and follow the path towards Judas Peak, a good place
for lunch and to enjoy some of the finest views (in good weather)
on the Peninsula. Alternatively, continue along the path towards
the Pimple (above Llandudno and the last Apostle) to descend
Llandudno Ravine.
• Take the path left, in the direction of Hout Bay and follow
the clear path which winds to the left and crosses a flat rock
before descending to the streambed. The path is steep and loose
at this point and eventually crosses a waterfall before re-crossing
it. Continue descending as the path winds to the left to follow
a flat path along the base of the steep rock face, you will see
Little Lion’s Head and Llandudno to your right.
• The path goes around the buttress before descending on two easy
rock scrambles before traversing right to a bluff. The path then
descends towards the contour path above Suikerbossie. If you
have parked in Farriers Way, turn left and follow the contour
path for approximately 45min where you cross a deep rocky ravine.
Just after this, look out for the path to the right which will
take you down to the car.
• If you are parked at Suikerbossie, turn right and continue in
the direction of the Atlantic Ocean before doubling back to steps
leading down to the entrance of the housing estate and your car.
Karen Watkins (Author of Adventure Walks & Scrambles in
the Cape Peninsula) |
