The Old Fisherman's Trail in the Western Cape is a spectacular route that runs from Hout Bay to Fish Hoek, covering a distance of approximately 20-25 kilometers, depending on the planned route.
This challenging trail takes you across the mountains that separate the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, offering breathtaking views along the way. The Old Fisherman's trail is believed to follow some sections used by fishermen to cross the mountains between Hout Bay and Fish Hoek and has been used for various events, including trail runs like the Old Fisherman's Trail Challenge.
This trail is broken into 2 legs with a checkpoint at Silvermine Dam within the Table Mountain National Park.
The first leg will start at East Fort to the second gate of Silwermine Nature Reserve.
The second leg starts from the second gate of Silvermine Nature Reserve and finishes at Boyes Drive.
Basic agenda:
This 19 km journey starts at East Fort, near Hout Bay and ends at Boyes Drive near Kalk Bay. Please note that additional transport is required to transport you back to East Fort if you parked your car there.
Starting from East Fort, a relentless climb of 631 meters is needed to reach the top of Blackburn Ravine during the first 3.5 kms. Anyone that stood here will know why this site is called: Sentinel View. This is a perfect place to have a break.
Next we follow the Panorama path inside Silvermine Nature Reserve, passing by stunning viewpoints of Silvermine dam and Breakfast rock to eventually reach the dam.
The next 3 kms descends gradually along the Silvermine River and a short section of the Old Wagon trail. We cross Ou Kaapse Weg to enter the Second gate of Silvermine Nature Reserve. This is where the first leg ends and the second leg starts towards Fish Hoek. A 1.5 km gravel road continues to Silvermine waterfall and further on towards Maiden Peak and the easily-accessible Crassula Path. A heartbreaking climb then follows to reach the magnificent Spes Bona valley that is flanked on either side by Kalk Bay Peak (516 masl) and Ridge Peak (507 masl).
A wooden boardwalk is reached that continues through a picturesque Milkwood forest. Views of Kalk Bay will start to show up as we draw closer to a place called Weary Willies. Lastly we follow the Echo Valley trail and descend with hundreds of steps to reach Boyes Drive where our journey ends.
Trail details:
Distance: +/- 19 km
Accumulative elevation: 840 meters
Grade: This grade 3B trail will test your fitness, strength and endurance to the limit. We have the whole day to complete this event, but remember that Brass Bell Kalk Bay sells cold beer until 11:30 pm on Saturdays.
Highlights:
East Fort, Atlas Pool, Blackburn Ravine, The Sentinel lookout, Panorama Trail with Breakfast Rock, Silvermine dam, Silvermine River walk, Old Wagon trail, Silvermine Waterfall, Maiden Peak, Crassula Path, Spes Bona Valley and the boardwalk through Spes Bona forest, Weary Willies and lastly the cold beer at Brass Bell, Kalk Bay.
Fee to join hike: R50. Cash on the day or EFT on the day:
Name of Acc: Boland Adventures
Capitec Savings account nr: 173 138 2780
Branch code: 470010
Reference: Your name, surname and name of event.
Bring along: Hat, food, coffee/tea/cooldrink/2 lt water, first aid kit, Rehidrat sachets, sturdy hiking boots.
Indemnity: When attending this hike you indicate that you have read and accepted our Indemnity as below.
Please inform Marius or Elaine of any medical conditions before the hike.
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMINITY AGREEMENT
This agreement includes a release of liability and waiver legal rights and deprives you of the right to sue Boland Adventures, and other parties.
