Gifkommetjie Gold Rush!

While the Cape of Good Hope may not be a gold digger's paradise, there's another kind of "gold" to be found at Gifkommetjie. Here, the Golden Spiderhead thrives, showcasing a fascinating mutualistic relationship with ants. These plants rely on ants to bury their seeds in underground nests. In return for their efforts, the ants get to feast on a tasty morsel found around the seed. This clever exchange ensures the seed is effectively dispersed and buried, where it patiently waits for the next fire to trigger its germination.

Join us for a fascinating hike at Gifkommetjie in the Cape Point National Park to experience Fynbos gold, antelope, amazing rock formations, beautiful dunes, a rugged coastline, Milkwood tunnels and the Phyllisia shipwreck (1968).

Hike Details:
- Distance: 9km, linear hike.
- Elevation gain: 20m up, decending 120 meter.
- Grade 2A hike
- Duration: approximately 4-5 hours, depending on length of rest breaks.
- Difficulty: Easy

Basic agenda:
This linear hike starts at Gifkommetjie and ends at Platboom Beach. Before the hike starts, please park a few cars at Platboom Beach. We will use these cars to return to the starting point after the hike.
Near the start, a platform is reached that offers panoramic views, providing an oppurtunity for a group photo. A beautiful rock formation near this platform lures one further into a short rocky corridor and further along the edge of Kommetjieberg (114m). The flat path dodges around boulders and rock formations until Balancing Rock is reached. Balancing Rock is a gigantic rock that balances on three points.
The path descends and joins other paths towards Hoek van Bobbejaan. Look out for the Phyllisia shipwreck that ran aground here in 1968.
There are a total of 26 shipwrecks around Cape Point.
From here we will follow the rough coastline south past Oompiesgat, through a dark passegeway beneath Milkwood trees. This is called the ‘Milkwood tunnel.’
The flat path continues all along the coast until Platboom Dunes are reached and soon we will be back at the cars parked at Platboom Beach to return to Gifkommetjie. The Dias Monument can be visited briefly before heading back to Gifkommetjie.

Trail highlights:

• You might find antelope such as Bontebok and Eland here. Perhaps Ostriches too.
• Easy walking along the ridge, with views inland over the plains, north to beautiful windswept beaches, and west to the ocean and beaches below.
• Balancing Rock and other amazing sandstone rock formations.
• Phyllisia shipwreck
• The Milkwood Tunnels
• Shifting Platboom Dunes and Dias Monument (1488).

Post script:

• Gifkommetjie is pronounced ‘Hiff-kom-icky’ with a throat clearance on the first syllable.
• Gifkommetjie gets its its name from the Afrikaans word 'gif' meaning poison and 'kommetjie' meaning basin. The name originates from the abundance of plants such as the Medusa's Head that grow in the area. These plants contain a toxic milky sap that can harm animals.
• The photo gallery shows fynbos plants that occur in the Cape Point National Park.

Fee to join hike: R50. Cash on the day, Payshap cell nr +27 74449 7464, EFT on the day:
Entrance fee at Cape Point National Park: SA ID holders, R105
NON-SA ID holders R455.
Bring your ID/Passport.
Free with wildcard.
Name of Acc: Boland Adventures
Capitec Savings account nr: 173 138 2780
Branch code: 470010
Reference: Your name and Kommetjie.
Bring along: Hat, snacks, First Aid kit, rehidrat sachets, coffee.
Indemnity: When attending this hike you indicate that you have read and accept 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.