She just isn’t sure how damaged her camera and cell phone are as they both also got wet.įrom Hell’s Gate we scramble up past the waterfall over rocks and bushes to the top where we had our lunch break.įrom here we weaved our way through some rather thick bushes to the path and entrances of the Woodhead Tunnel and the Apostle Water Tunnel, before returning via the Disa Gorge Hiking Trail which is also part of the Hoerikwaggo Trail that I did a few years ago. Thankfully she did not get too hurt and we had some dry shirts between us to give her. One of our ladies slipped and fell into the icy cold water. Walking past waterfalls, pools, ferns and indigenous forest, you will find it hard to imagine that you are so close to city life. We started our hike up the Disa River Gorge, scrambling up alongside the river’s many waterfalls to Hell’s Gates. We start at Constantia Nek in the parking area and walk along Ring Road (the jeep track) until we reached the start of Disa River and stopped for a quick tea break. I would love to do this hike when the Disa are in flower and we can stop to swim. Better than average fitness would be needed to enjoy the day. We did not find the route too difficult but if you don’t know the way you may get lost and it was very slippery at places. There are pools to negotiate, steep banks to scramble up and some exposure so I definitely do not recommend this for a beginner. It’s so nice to learn something new and hopefully I will remember some of it. I wish I knew so much about the fauna and flora of Cape Town! WOW, wow, wow… definitely one of the best guides I have had in a long time. Orange Kloof is a restricted area and a permit, maximum 12 people, is required.We are members of CUM Hiking Club and had Mark Hawthorne and his son Justine as our guides. Hell’s Gate is a full day hiking trail in Orange Kloof.
Our guide was really great at guiding us and nature provided so many natural holding places on those uphill scrambles, that I managed very well on the uphill exposed section. I must admit that I am very happy I didn’t know otherwise I might have pulled out due to my fear of heights. A friend booked for us, so none of us saw that this was a level C hike with fitness required. This is truly a spectacular hike! We had our names down to do this hike, but due to the rain it was moved 3 times, but it was definitely worth the wait.
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