By KAREN WATKINS
Cape Town - Great views, a moderate pace and not too long – these were the prerequisites for a hike over the Easter weekend.
And shuffling cars turned out to be the most complicated part of this hike up Suther Peak in Cape Town.
In my opinion the best time to go to this area is September and October when the rooikappie (Satyrium carneum) is in flower. This 30-70cm fleshy pink plant belongs to the orchidaceae family and occurs on sandy slopes from Llandudno and Fish Hoek south.
Instead we found another rather peculiar plant, something resembling red paint brushes.
There are numerous permutations to get to the top of this 615m peak between Hout Bay and Sandy Bay. I chose to ascend from Sandy Bay nek and end up at Hout Bay harbour.
Having left vehicles in the harbour car park, we drove to the traffic lights at the intersection of Victoria Road and Victoria Avenue at the bottom of Suikerbossie hill. There we turned left and drove to the parking area for Sandy Bay at the top of Helgarda Avenue.
We followed the path across the dunes to the left above Sandy Bay, past the sign for the Rocket Station.
Usually the trickiest part to any route is finding the start and this is no exception.
Crossing these dynamic sand dunes is a test for any hike leader, but we were spot on. Not having hiked there for some time we were surprised to find Table Mountain National Parks have removed the ropes and placed chains where necessary.
Ascend logged steps and from here it is easy to find the way on a clear path towards Suther Peak.
There are two rock bands you will need to climb. These should not be attempted by beginners.
Above this it gets slightly easier before flattening a little and going through bush as the path winds its way to the left of Suther Peak. Following some easy scrambling into a gully left of a rock buttress and over large boulders, the path continues to behind the peak. It then goes right around the peak through bush to where you see a trig beacon ahead.
If you want some added adventure and are good at rock scrambling, then look for a vague path going right, through head-high rocks, in the direction of Table Mountain and descending to views of the two Lion’s Heads.
Then return to the main path.
That is the easy part. From here it gets tricky.
Keep going ahead and pass through bush looking for a large cairn and a crack on the top of a large boulder.
Go left of the cairn and scramble over the edge, about 2m down a soily gully, then over some rocks on to a boulder which is wedged above many others. It looks impossible, but face back and slide down two large steps on to the rocks below. The worst is over!
You will find yourself in a narrow tunnel with a tree and a cairn at the northern end. Climb gently on to the tree before proceeding, actually crouching, eastwards along a ledge and around the corner, keeping to the base of the cliff face. Proceed further in the same direction following cairns through a bushy area, (look out for blister bush) to rocks with a high crack. Step into the crack and follow it, ignoring the first crack to the right, and take the second one into the mountain.
Meanwhile stop and enjoy the views through the cracks.
When you exit, continue to the east. Go around the main buttress to join the path which brought you up to the rock buttress and gully. Follow this path to the back of the peak once again to where you can see the trig beacon. Pass the point where you turned off to scramble down to the boulders.
Continue on the path and explore the area below the trig beacon where there is a 3m scramble up to the beacon from where you can see Sandy Bay below.
Return a short way to find the clear path which descends south through forest. This is where we came across April Fool, Velskoenblaar (Haemanthus coccineus) which occurs in forests including Amazon and Spes Bona above Kalk Bay.
Descending through bush, look out for a pond below and to the right. It is frustrating that this is only full in winter when only the foolhardy will have a dip in the chilly waters.
On reaching the plateau between Suther Peak and Karbonkelberg, ascend to scramble between rocks before reaching what was once a dirt road, now marked by cairns.
You might be tired, but it’s worthwhile going right to visit the ruins of the WWII radar station (594m). At the end of the road continue along the path and if you are brave, follow it to the cliff edge where you can see the shipwreck of the Bos 400, which went aground in 1994.
Return to the cairns and continue along the path which, thanks to TMNP’s path builders, zigzags down to what is known as Shave’s Pass.
Continue descending to reach a sandy section with Kaptein’s Peak (414m) ahead. A little further is a firebreak where you go right before reaching a dirt road. From here the way is straightforward to reach Bay View Road above Hout Bay harbour. - Cape Times
l Watkins is author of Adventure Hikes in the Cape Peninsula and Off the Beaten Track.
Warning: Hiking is dangerous and it is best to undertake this route with someone who has done it before or approach one of the hiking clubs and ask them to do it.
Directions: From the traffic lights at the junction of Victoria Road, which comes down from Suikerbossie, turn into Helgarda Road. Drive up Helgarda Road in the direction of the nek between Suther Peak and Little Lion’s Head and take the second road left into Edgar Road, which becomes Eustegia. Follow to the boom, park in the area on the left.
Overview: This linear route has cracks and chimneys to explore, some rock scrambling, views and possibly a pool for wallowing. Allow five hours. For the moderately fit to fit.
Terrain: Path most of the way. The cracks on top are an optional extra and are difficult to find and require rock scrambling.
Best time: Not advisable in wet weather. Altitude gain: 550m.