Woodstock Cave – (Table Mountain NP – Cape Town)

A true icon overlooking Cape Town’s skyline, Woodstock Cave is a highly recommended and relatively easy hike accessible from Tafelberg Road. Carved out of Table Mountain Sandstone over the millennia, the 4-meter high, by 50-meter wide, and about 15-meter-deep cave can easily be spotted from Cape Town’s suburb of Woodstock about halfway up Devil’s Peak which towers above it. Being relatively easy to reach and offering amazing views over the CBD, Signal Hill, Lions Head and Table Bay, this has long been a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike and was probably inhabited or visited by Khoi San Hunter Gatherers for thousands of years prior to European colonization. Views of the Atlantic, Durbanville Hills and all the way to the Groot Winterhoek Mountains can be seen on a clear day. After good rains visiting Woodstock Cave becomes even more appealing as the usually dry kloof that runs above it turns to a stream and a waterfall drops right over the front of the cave entrance, it’s a truly remarkable feature of this hike. A clear day after good rains is the best to witness this spectacle but even if conditions are not perfect the cave and its views will be extremely rewarding in their own right. The cave can be reached from a multitude of starting points and there are ample variations one can choose from to reach it or combine to create a loop, the trail recorded here follows the most straightforward and easiest route to the cave starting and ending at the parking area at the Devil’s Peak trailhead. After parking at the trailhead, the route is straightforward and follows Tafelberg Road in an Easternly direction past a few waterfall streams until the tar ends and gravel begins. Shortly after the gravel begins and open gate posts appear the large green information sign for Woodstock cave comes into view and then the trail turns to single track footpath from this point all the way up to the cave. The footpath crosses a contour path with the way to the cave clearly marked with and visible with a sign map. After continuing with the zig zagging path upward the path will eventually split with Woodstock Cave being to the left, the cave clearly visible as a guide, and the Devils Peak traverse connecting path to the right. After this split it is a short way to the cave, a few easy boulders to climb and one is comfortably standing in the large cavern overlooking Cape Town’s skyscrapers and the Atlantic Ocean below. The cavern is impressive, and its true scale becomes apparent as one gets up close and explores the area, from the suburbs below it appears merely as a split or cut in the North face of Devils Peak. After vising the cave, the trail then follows the exact same route out, or the trail out could be combined with the longer contour path if a more challenging loop is desired. The hike is short and can be completed by hikers of almost all fitness levels, the unfit may struggle with the ascent especially if it is a hot day. Sunscreen, adequate footwear and water are recommended even though this is a short easy trail by hiking standards. High temperatures and a dry kloof above in Summer will mean no water and potentially unpleasant conditions so be sure to pack accordingly with provisions. The trail features virtually no exposure to heights the only potential areas of concern could arise at the cave itself where the drop off the edge is about a story or more so one should take caution while exploring the cavern and be aware of the drop at the caves edge. The other section to take cation is crossing the boulders to and from the entrance of the cave but by most hiking standards the risks here minimal. Caution should be taken with regards to crime as unfortunately mugging incidents have occurred at Woodstock Cave and on Tafelberg Road in the past. Nowadays the Table Mountain National Park rangers frequently patrol the area, all the exit and entrance points are monitored by cameras and other surveillance techniques, but even with all the precautions it is still wise to exercise caution. With that being said don’t let the highly improbable chance of an adverse incident deter you but rather take heed and minimize your risks by leaving unneeded valuables at home if possible. Hike in a group and be extra careful at dawn and dusk. Be vigilant when leaving one’s car or Uber on Tafelberg Road and if parking do not leave any valuables in your car especially if there is no ranger or car guard on duty. Report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities as soon as possible especially if it seems as if groups of people have taken up residence or are attempting to light fires or overnight in the cave. This is a thoroughly scenic and enjoyable trail, I can highly recommend Woodstock Cave if you are a hiking in a group, and are seeking some views and a scenic location, even novices will appreciate the scenery even though they might struggle with the uphill.