Hiking excursion up Chapman's Peak

Starting on the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive, this moderate to strenuous hike with slight exposure to heights offers the most spectacular views over Hout Bay and Noordhoek Beach with its turquoise sea, rugged scenery, interesting fynbos and a variety of bird species. Once at the summit there are panoramic views of the Peninsula which include the False Bay coastline, the Back Table and Kommetjie Lighthouse.

Enjoy walking up the steep path surrounded by proteas and other fynbos. Take your time, breathe in and enjoy the amazing scenery around you. The path is very well maintained and easy to follow, paved with sandstone rocks most of the way. When you level out near the top, turn right and continue towards Noordhoek along a slowly rising path. You will move over and around the minor peak and eventually come to the rocky summit of Chapman’s Peak.

There are wonderful views of Hout Bay as you round the first peak, then suddenly Chapmans Peak pops into view and a final ascent up the saddle gives you views of Fish Hoek, Noordhoek Beach, and even Gordon’s Bay and Table Mountain on a clear day. To the south is Cape Point and Kommetjie.

Some say it’s best to climb Chapman’s Peak later in the afternoon as in the morning much of the scenery is obscured by shadows cast by the morning sun and at midday the sun renders a lot of the scenery flat. However, in the late afternoon or sunset, the area lights up with an iridescent red glow almost like hot coals as the sinking sun reflects off the normally bright sandstone cliffs. You may also be fortunate and enjoy a fantastic sunset, but even if you don’t the horizon is sure to glow red long after the sun has disappeared.