Devils' Peak: Lower Slopes Loop

Date: 15 January 2010

Location: Devil's Peak from Vredehoek

Walkers: Helen & Michele

*** Route plotted here ****

For other walks done on these slopes check out the Vredehoek archive here.

On a very windy afternoon we set out from the quarry for a walk on the lower slopes of Devil's Peak. We went right, following the lower path and walking straight into the south-easter wind. It was pretty hard-going!




We took a turn to the left and continued up the hill.



This path took us quite close to Tafelberg Road, with Oppelskop above. The views across the slopes and down to the city were lovely.




The path lead round to a very green bushy section of the mountain - it looks like this area must have escaped from the fire earlier in the year. Then the route began to descend into the wooded area of Deer Park.




Below a stand of silver trees it looped to the right and headed back. We were now back on the lower road we'd turned off earlier.




The walk back was much easier with the wind at our backs!


(Photos by Helen)
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Devil's Peak Lower Slopes, Again

Date: 14 December 2009

Location: Devil's Peak from the top of Vredehoek

Walkers: Helen, Claudia & Richard, with Daisy and Roxy

Other walks done in the same area here, here, here and here.

Due to a hectic work schedule, not feeling very well and some extreme weather (first hot, then windy) I haven't been walking for ages. I've missed it so much! So when the opportunity for a short meander on the lower slopes of Devil's Peak presented itself, I jumped at the chance to get out.



We set off below the quarry, and walked slowly along the road in the direction Woodstock. We then took a right and looped around to make a short circle. An easy walk on a warm and calm later afternoon.



The views of the east part of town are good... down to the harbour and back to the city centre.




And several fighter planes flew overhead. Whoosh!


(Photos by Helen)
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Devil's Peak: Quarry to Deer Park

Date: 6 November 2009

Location: Devil's Peak, from Vredehoek

Walkers: Helen & Michele

**** Route plotted here ****

Following the same route as this walk, we set off for a late afternoon stroll on the lower slopes of Devil's Peak. The landscape here is still dominated by the remains of the large bushes (Leucodendrons I think) burnt by fire earlier in the year.




We last walked these slopes about six week's ago. At first my impression today was there were far fewer flowers about. Many more grasses.



But as we walked on we spotted a few blooms. I think this yellow flower may be a Bobartia.



And this little thing is Cyanella hyacinthoides. Its common name is Lady's Hand. The yellow stamens are meant to represent the hand, complete with fingernails. Adorable, yes?




We passed a prickly thistle, impressively spiny.



And there were a couple of Chinks. I think these may be the variety Ornithogalum conicum.



The walking was easy on wide jeep tracks.



We also saw one or two Pseudoselago Spuria.



Then a few more, and more, and more. Fields of the things!




As we got close to Deep Park we saw a lovely Aristea capitata.



And also several clumps of pink Watsonia borbonica.



The flowers are gorgeous, but I also like the glossy, strappy leaves, with their distinctive twist.


Also spotted: purple gorse, Aspalanthus cephalotes subsp. violacea.



We followed the path through to the pines trees of Deep Park.



From here we made our way back to the start via Frank Avenue and Chelmsford Road.



(Photos by Helen)
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