Joshua @ Forge
Jun 11, 20202 min
Updated: Dec 5, 2021
Winter is an amazing time to be out on the trail. In the Cape, water is everywhere - streams are flowing, the forests exude their amazing damp aromas, the fynbos comes to life and water seems to be oozing out of every rocky nook.
On the Highveld, the air is nippy and adds a crispy layer to early morning activities. The higher peaks of the Cape Fold Mountains and the Drakensberg may even have a smattering or two of snow flakes for those brave enough to venture forth.
The downside is that our time out on the hiking trail is slightly more limited (if you’re one to be limited by sunlight) and the earlier sunsets and later sunrises mean the pre- or post-work runs need to be cut down somewhat to evade the darkness. This is not to say that the dark should keep you from getting your shoes muddy but if you’re keen to get a stroll in sans headlamp, here are three of the Forge team’s favourite quick hikes around Table Mountain National park that will have your breath taken away and still get back to the trailhead by dark (and before mom starts worrying). They are:
Hout Bay Corner
Elsie's Peak
Eagle's Nest
Hiking Hout Bay Corner takes less than an hour. With a slight incline and a couple of scrambles, you should definitely add this hike to your list of great quick escapes.
If you need a quick dose of 360° views from a peak, then this the ideal hike. Take the dog and family along for a great short hike between Glencairn and Fish Hoek.
If you want to sneak in a quick sunrise mission or bag a peak before you start your day, then a hike up Eagle's Nest is ideal. After a quick ascent from the Constantia Nek parking lot you'll soon see the sunrise over the city.