Sunflower Books: Landscapes of South Africa (The Cape)

The Cape, 1st ed (1998); updated 2/10/05

(To visit the web page for this book on our main site, click here )

Updates for walks and car tours (drives) in the Cape given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you possess an earlier edition, we strongly recommend that you purchase the latest edition of the book before visiting this destination.) Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update.
Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please abide by warnings but allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk)

GENERAL: We found even the walks graded 'moderate' to be quite strenuous for a holiday, and would have appreciated more easy walks. By the way, the maps by Peter Slingsby ar excellent for walkers. (e-mail, 10/05) [Editor's comment: This book will be out of print in 2006 and replaced by a book with far less demanding walks - plus restaurants(!) called 'Cape Town walk & eat'. See www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk for details of our 'walk & eat' series.]

Further reading:
T V Bulpin, Exploring Southern Africa.

Car tour 3: Geekbeek should be spelled Geelbek (meaning 'yellow-mouth', a type of fish). It is also incorrectly spelled on the touring map.

Walk 3: The small wooden bridge before Nursery Ravine (the 1h55min-point) has been destroyed by a fire. But there is no problem continuing the walk. (Author, 10/98)

Walk 4: The entry fee to Kirstenbosch is now 10 rand (about £1). A plan provided with the entrance ticket clearly shows the route to Smutspad; also the way back to the entrance of the gardens from the foot of Nursery Ravine. Just before the 2h 30min-point, after wooden steps and a short climb on the last part of the lap to Maclear's Beacon, there is a signpost. The beacon itself is about 25m/yds to the left of it. Between the signpost and the beacon there are waymarks in the shape of yellow footprints which head towards the signpost. After visiting the beacon, to get onto the recommended path, the easiest way is to return to the signpost and follow the footprints down a slope and then left around the natural pedestal upon which the beacon is located. The Smuts plaque will then be quickly seen on the left. The footprints head northwest and lead to the three way signpost (the 3h15min-point), where you turn left. Recommendation: the suggested footpath after Maclear's Beacon provides splendid views which it would be a shame to miss. However, at two or three points it passes within a foot or so of sheer drops. At these points, there are alternative routes away from the edge, but these may not be noticed in heavy mist, and the walker may suddenly be in peril. In such weather conditions, it is suggested that from Maclear's Beacon, one follows the route waymarked by yellow footprints coming towards you. Ignoring the first signpost, this route also leads directly to the 3h15min-point. There are no vertical drops and nothing will be lost as in the mist, since the wonderful views from the recommended path cannot be seen. (User, 2/99)

Walk 9: The path to rejoin the main walk from the Elephant's Eye is overgrown but walkable. It is on the left when you are facing the entrance of the cave. (User, 3/99)

Walk 22, including Alternative walk: From the rudimentary 'car park' used for the main walk, the route follows a footpath signposted for Swartboskloof. After 600m/ 0.4 mi, the user is directed to take a left fork which crosses a tumbledown wooden bridge. Having taken the left fork, the first thing which one crosses is a concrete watercourse.  The wooden bridge is about 15m beyond it, but because of the dense undergrowth it cannot be seen at that point. (Having crossed the water course, I assumed that I had turned left too early and returned to the original track and made my way uphill. I was only convinced I had gone wrong when I reached the contour path). (User, 2/99)

Walk 23: A line is missing from the bottom of page 130: The narrow over-grown path hugs a rising rock face to the left and a densely-wooded ravine on the right. Shortly afterwards, the path reaches the Langrivier.

NEDERLANDSE EDITIE: belang-rijke correcties
blz. 11, Autotocht 1: Begin bij de fontein in het centrum van Rondebosch:rijd over de Main Road naar het zuiden, naar de tweede groep verkeerslichten. Ga rechts Klipper Road op en volg deze omhoog en dan in een bocht naar links. De weg splitst onmiddellijk: ga LINKS Newlands Avenue in.  

blz. 56, Wandeling 6: Klim omhoog naar een breed pad rond de berg: het Pipe Track. Ga LINKS het Pipe Track op.
blz. 72, Wandeling 9: Op de top van het Blackburn Ravine (2 uur, 55 min.), laat het ravijn liggen en volg links een gestaag klimmende jeepweg anhoog.
blz. 84, Wandeling 13: Het pad loopt kloksgewijzers mee.
blz. 102, Wandeling 18, Heen en terug: U gaat LINKS Paradise Road op.