Newlands Forest to Kirstenbosch, Western Cape | Cape Town Hikes | Hiking
Guides for the Newlands Forest to Kirstenbosch Hike in Cape Town |
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Newlands Forest to Kirstenbosch |
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Starting
at Corner of Union Avenue and Rhodes Avenue (on the mountain
side of Union Avenue – about 40m from the traffic lights),
your destination is Kirstenbosch Gardens and back again. On
a clear day the scenic views over False Bay and the Cape Flats
are spectacular and great for photographs. The walk through
Newlands Forest is under the trees and you are in the shade
most of the time.
When you reach Kirstenbosch Gardens consider a picnic lunch
or visit the Tea House for refreshments. Summer and Spring
are full of life and this hold true for the Botanical gardens.
From December to March, musical sunset concerts are held on
the lawns. Craft markets are also held at the Stone Cottages
on the last Sunday of every month (except June, July &
August).
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Starting
Point: Corner of
Union Avenue and Rhodes Avenue
Ending Point: Corner
of Union Avenue and Rhodes Avenue
Walk Duration: 4 hours (Add on for stops)
Type of Terrain: Dust
road for the majority of the way if you stick to
the path.
Difficulty: This
is an intermediate walk. The trail is steep at certain
points but you will soon recover as you descend
into Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Weather Report:
Click
here to plan your hiking day noting daily wind directions
and temperatures. |
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| Newlands Forest to Kirstenbosch |
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| Route
Description and Map: |
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Route Description:
• The start of the walk begins at the Corner of Union Avenue
and Rhodes Avenue (on the mountain side of Union Avenue – about
40m from the traffic lights
• Near the beginning of the path you will see a green signboard.
Turn left here.
• Once you have passed the picnic area turn right where the
road forks.
• Follow the path, climbing the steps, all the way to the Contour
Path (see map)
• Turn left to walk along the Contour Path and when you reach
the area with huge boulders, keep to the right.
• The path eventually zigzags downhill. Cross the stream at
Window Gorge and go left down the steps towards the Gardens. Where
the road forks keep right until you reach a signboard for the Gardens
(the road forms a triangle here).
• You can go into the Gardens by going right here, otherwise
go to your left over a small stream and keep to your left at the next
fork.
• Next you will reach a junction with a few signs. Turn left
until you get to some steps and the turn right. You will eventually
reach a jogger’s sign where you turn left and will soon see
a ruin.
• Turn right at the ruin and keep to the left at the following
forks and cross a stream.
• Keep to your right, towards the picnic area. There is a path
behind the concrete platform back to the finishing point.
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Newlands Forest to Kirstenbosch, Western Cape | Cape Town Hikes | Hiking
Guides for the Newlands Forest to Kirstenbosch Hike in Cape Town |
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