Klipspringer Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers

No sign boards are present to indicate the turnoff to the parking area (just after the Palmiet River bridge on the opposite side of Kogelberg Nature Reserve entrance).

No permits are required for the region, however during peak season (Dec-Jan) the municipality sometimes asks a R10pp entrance fee to ensure the area is well maintained.

The region consists of several interlinked trails spanning the area between Fairy Glen (Start @ R44) and Kleinmond or Grabouw. A portion of the trail also forms part of the Highlands 2-day hike and therefore can be modified for shorter and longer distances. The Klipspringer Trail takes a more direct route to the peak across the grassland and foothills of the mountain. This is ideal for hot days as an early morning start will allow you to hike in the mountains shadow for stretches of the trail.

*Note that the trail crosses a small rivulet within the first 300m that is the last water-point during the trail*

During March and April the foothills are transformed by hundreds of flowering Ericaceae (not found on the mountain or other trails). The trail then gradually climbs towards Spooknek where it forks. Here you can get a glimpse of Botriver and Hermanus on a clear day. After the last small ascent to the top of the mountain range (4-way crossing), one can relax and meander towards the beacon. On clear days you should be able to make out Du Toits peak (Franschoek), Caledon, Gansbaai, Hermanus, Botriver and most of Kogelberg Nature Reserve from this vantage point. See Overberg-Perdeberg-Peak via Kasteelnek for an alternative route down.

The Cape Kogelberg Biosphere is home one of the worlds most prestigious high-density plant ecosystems. Several Fynbos species occur nowhere else and form the jewels of the area. Great examples include Mimetes arboreus, Nevenia stokoei and Orothamnus zeyheri. The latter, a beautiful pink hanging rose, is part of the biosphere emblem and critically endangered.

Animals in the region are skittish but Caracal, Cape leopard, Cape Grey Mongoose, Cape genet, Baboons and Porcupines have been spotted on occasion. You are more likely to spot several frog species as well as Southern Rock Agama and Rock Hyrax.