Cape of Good Hope Loop - (Cape Point NR - Cape Town)

Trail time: 3hrs and 30mins including stops.

Nothing quite describes the "at end of the earth" feeling one gets when visiting Cape Point. If one considers a Southwest bearing, then in many regards this reserve really is at the end of the world. The dramatic cliff faces and windswept lands, no matter how many times one has visited are always a sight to behold. On this trail one starts at the parking area which has a restaurant and shop on its Southern end. The trail starts by descending a paved staircase and boardwalk to the top of the cliffs above Dias Beach. From the boardwalk the views down to the cliff encircled beach are rewarding from the second one heads off. After a short stretch one has the option to descend to the beach at the well-marked intersection, there is a board up which discourages swimming due to strong riptides. The path then continues and ascends the Western buttress above Dias beach. Here there are great views back to the Cape Point lighthouses and across to Cape Hangklip and the mountains above Hermanus. Be mindful of ones footing near the edge as it’s a steep 65m drop off the cliff to the waves and rocks below. Thereafter the trail descends to the Cape of Good Hope parking area, here there is a sign indicating that this point marks the most Southwestern point of the African Continent. We opted to take a well-defined dune path down because the standard path down was rather congested. My one critique of the reserve is the large numbers of tourists so it’s not easy to find solitude at Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope areas. After the Cape of Hope the trail follows the coast across the rocks, dunes and beach back North towards the gate. Here you have the option to follow the road. Be on the lookout for Ostrich which can charge if they feel you are getting too close to their nests. After a good stretch along the shore the road will then ascend here one must keep an eye out for the yellow footprints which cross the road. This is where this trail meets the official Cape of Good Hope multiday trail. The footpath then continues until it ends at the main road again. Here one crosses the road and continues up in the direction of Protea, Restio and Erica overnight huts. The path then begins from the road near the turnoff to Protea and Restio huts, there is a sign with an arrow to Cape Point. A note that if one is not staying in one of the overnight cottages it is good etiquette not to disturb the cottage guests when you pass through. After some more ascent on this path on reaches a small summit and views to the East over False Bay appear. Then it’s a simple following of the ridgeline path back to the parking lot. Once back at the parking lot one has the option to go up to the Lighthouse and see the cliff viewpoints as we did. You could even consider doing the lighthouse keepers trail if you wish. You could do the Cape Point lighthouse and cliffs at the start of you trail. Overall, this is a great morning or afternoon walk which is not technical, strenuous or time consuming at all. It offers amazing views for relatively little effort. Cape Point has been documented as the windiest place in South Africa so a clear calm day as we had will make this even more enjoyable. There is an entry fee into the National Park and at the time of writing Wildcard holders get free entrance. Safety in the reserve is good and there always seem to be a few people close by. Highly recommended trail.