Tunnel Cave, Peers Cave and Elsies Peak, Fish Hoek

Peers Cave and Tunnel Cave are two fascinating sites that offer a glimpse into the region's rich history and natural beauty. Peers Cave is a sacred site situated in Sun Valley, Cape Peninsula. This cave has been occupied for over 200,000 years and features ancient rock paintings, making it one of the most southern rock art sites in Africa. This cave is named after Victor Peers, who discovered a 13,000-year-old human skull at the site. Tunnel cave symbolizes the female figure and features a 15 meter-long birthing canal formed in metamorphic crystalized quartzitic sandstone. The cave is perfectly oriented to center on the setting sun during the summer solstice, making it a unique and sacred earth temple site.
Elsies Peak takes its name from the modest river that runs south of the peak, named after the Rooi Els tree. The Rooi Els once grew along the river edges but were chopped down for timber and firewood long ago. Elsiespeak is a botanical goldmine, filled with no gold but extravagant fynbos. Elsie’s Peak is made up of sheer cliffs, ravines, slopes, swamps, sand dunes and caves creating the perfect micro habitat for an abundance of divers fynbos.

Basic agenda:
Follow the pin location to Brigantine Pond from where we start our 1.25 kilometre cave hunting expedition towards Peers Cave and Tunnel Cave. The first section follows through dunes to reach Peers Cave. Next follows a short hike through dense bushes along a rockface below Skildergatkop (127 masl) to reach the magnificent Tunnel Cave. A little bit of scrambling, bouldering and climbing is needed to reach this cave. Tunnel Cave's stunning views make every effort worthwhile.
We hike back to the cars with the same route and take a short drive towards a parking area near Fish Hoek Garden Of Remembrance from where we take Ravine steps up towards a saddle between Elsies Peak (303m) and Brakkloofrant (305m).
A fynbos hunt ensues towards Brakkloofrant as we look for flowers such as: The little bearded men Iris (Baardmannetjie in Afrikaans), the Cluster Spiderhead, kebabs (Sosaties in Afrikaans) and Spoon Flower (Lepelbloom in Afrikaans). After enjoying a break at Brakkloofrant, we return to Elsies Peak that offers more spectacular views over False Bay. After taking a break above Elsies Peak, we head down back to the parking area.

Highlights:

• Out and back 2.5 km hike to Peers Cave and Tunnel Cave.
• Diverse fynbos species, gorgeous rock formations, grottos
• Spectacular 8 km Brakkloofrant - Elsies Peak hiking circuit with an elevation of 340 meters
• Awesome views above Elsies Peak towards False Bay

Hike Details:
- Distance: 2 short hikes of 2.5 km and 8 km.
- Elevation gain: 110 meters and 340 meters
- Grade 2B hike
- Duration: approximately 5-6 hours, depending on length of rest breaks.
- Difficulty: intermediate hike with some mild bouldering and scrambling sections.

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 Peers as referance.

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.