Stroll Behind Bo Kaap

Date: 21 October 2012

Location: Lower slopes of Signal Hill from the Bo Kaap

Walkers: Dom, Dorothy and the dogs

Previous walk in the Bo Kaap area here.

We set from my friend's place on the edge of the Bo Kaap, following the road that leads to the Noon Gun.

It was late afternoon and very windy, but as we got further up the road it was more sheltered and quite lush and green, very rural. I'd never have guessed this pretty little road was right there on the edge of town.

And the views of the city are wonderful.

We didn't go all the way up the hill as it was getting late - will have to return for further exploration another time.

Lion's Head 2011 - Walk 2

Date: 9 January 2011

Location: Lion's Head

Walkers: Michele & Helen

For the archive of Lion's Head walks see here.


Hooray, the heat wave finally ended! What a pleasure to wake to a cool and misty morning. Michele and I set off for our weekly walk up Lion's Head, following the usual route and enjoying the softness of the views below. Fingers of cloud were drifting through the Nek.




Unfortunately we didn't get very far as I was not feeling well. Even though I really wanted to walk I was just not managing the climb. So we decided to turn around and head down again.



Instead we walked slowly along the flat contour path towards Signal Hill.



It was nice to be outside and I enjoyed the variety of textures, forms and colours in the grey-green spectrum in the fynbos alongside the path.







As we walked back along Signal Hill Road we stopped to inspect a flowering gum tree covered in clumps of pink flowers.




The buds open into flowers that remind me of sea anemones. Aren't they gorgeous? I love the vibrant colour when they're in full bloom, and the way they fade to a peachy shade.




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Lower Slopes of Signal Hill from Bo Kaap

Date: 24 November 2010

Location: Signal Hill from the Bo Kaap

Walkers: Helen & Dominic, with dogs

*** Route plotted here ***

Today I joined my friend Dom on his short daily dog walk on the mountain slopes behind his house on the edge of the Bo Kaap. From Military Road we took a short-cut up the slope, between the fence and the school.



This brought us to a flat grassy meadow, with Signal Hill ahead. This little valley always surprises me as one doesn't get a sense that it is there at all from the rest of the city bowl. So open and spacious.



We walked to our left, and before long got views across the city bowl.



The track lead us towards Tamboerskloof, with Lion's Head looming above.



When we reached the houses we turned right up the hill, towards and through the stand of gum trees.



Wonderful views of the city from here.



As our path looped round and out of the trees, we walked down...



... leaving Signal Hill behind us. This was just a short stroll but there is quite a network of paths on these slopes. Next time I'd like to explore further.


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Signal Hill on a Windy Day

Date: 28 January 2010

Location: Signal Hill

Walkers: Helen & Michele

**** Route plotted here ****

Previous walk on this route described here.

We'd gone up Signal Hill Road with the intention of climbing Lion's Head but when we stopped at the parking area the wind was gusting so strongly we decided to drive on to Signal Hill. Here it was much more pleasant - still breezy but at least we didn't feel in danger of being blown off our feet.



From the view site we took the path down the hill, keeping to the right.




We got fabulous views down to Sea Point and across to Lion's Head.





The mid-summer fynbos looked pretty in shades of soft green and grey.



It was not soft though! We took a secondary path that was a bit overgrown and found the vegetation we had to brush past to be very prickly indeed. Ouch, our legs and arms got quite badly scratched.




Once we got back to the main path we passed hordes of joggers, clearly a running group (or two) training. There were also other walkers and cyclists using the path. A busy day on Signal Hill!



We strolled on the kramat where we met the fierce wind again. Clouds were now scudding across the sky as the gale got worse. Time to turn back!


(Photos by Helen)
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