Cecilia Waterfall

Date: 7 February 2009

Location: Cecilia Forest, Constantia

Walkers: Dorothy, Tarryn, Iain, Jenny, Renee, Reuben, Michele, Helen, Claudia, Richard and Daisy the dog.

This walk starts and ends in the pine plantation of Cecilia Forest, off Rhodes Drive in Constantia.

The first part had us making our way through a patch of forest alongside a small stream. This led to the contour path.


(Photo by Helen) (Photo by Michele)

We turned right onto the main contour path. A large section of the plantation here had been cleared since we last did this walk.



(Photos by Helen)

Logged steps led us on, til we reached the edge of Kirstenbosch. We then followed the signs to Cecilia Ravine, via Rooikat Ravine.


(Photos by Helen)

The stepped climb was hard-going, especially in the hot summer sun.



(Photo by Michele) (Photos by Helen)

As we rounded the crest of the hill we saw Cecilia Ridge and the thick indigenous forest in Rooikat Ravine directly ahead.


(Photo by Helen)

We headed down into the lovely cool forest.



(Photo by Helen) (Photos by Michele)

The path went up again and around Cecilia Ridge. The hillside here was covered with Waboom proteas. They aren't in flower in summer.



(Photos by Helen)

A bit of colour was to be seen, however, in a pink Erica and Mimetes.


(Photo by Michele) (Photo by Helen)

Behind us was Nursery Buttress and Devil's Peak.


(Photo by Helen)

Cecilia Plantation was below, with the Southern Suburbs sprawling out towards False Bay. The view was very hazy due to the recent fires. We could just make out Muizenberg Mountain.


(Photo by Helen)

I liked the subtle and subdued palette of the fynbos this time of year.


(Photos by Helen)

Soon, below Spilhaus Ridge, the next patch of forest in Cecilia Ravine became visible, and we made our way down into the greenness.


(Photo by Helen) (Photo by Michele)

The contrast to the slopes was marked: it was so cool, green and dark in the forest.


(Photos by Helen)

And damp too, thanks to a tall waterfall, covered in moss and ferns.




(Photos by Michele)

Most of us took off our shoes and leaped under the water to cool off.


(Photos by Michele)

After our rest, we climbed out the ravine and began our descent.


(Photos by Helen)

We got a view back to the hillside we'd just walked along.


(Photo by Michele)

We saw a protea in flower.


(Photo by Michele)

Following path and forestry road, we headed down.


(Photos by Helen)

The last bit was easy stroll through the quiet pine forest.


(Photos by Helen)

You're a super-cool dog, Daisy, for walking with us. Bye everyone!