CapeNature manages large areas in the Western Cape mountains and encourages hikers to enjoy the wild beauty of these areas.

For hiking permits please contact the CapeNature Contact Centre on 087 087 8250.

Enquiries can also be emailed to reservation.alert@capenature.co.za

Trail preparation for day and overnight hiking

• Check the weather (look at a 3 day forecast – the day before, the day of and the day after). The day before will tell you if the veld is dry or wet (which impacts river crossings). Weather can change easily, so if rain is expected the following day, note that it can move in faster than expected.
• Rain more than 20 mm over 24 hours means the rivers will be overflowing and may become impassable.
• Take sufficient warm and wet weather (rain proof) clothing.
• Ensure your sleeping bag is sufficient for at least -10 ^oC.
• Take rain proof bags to keep your clothing and back pack / sleeping bag dry.
• Take sufficient food and water for all your hiking days and at least 2 extra days.
• If you are caught in bad weather. Hunker down in a safe sheltered area and rather hike out when it is safe to do so – even if it means an extra day on the trail or in the mountain.
• Do not try to cross a raging river, rather take a longer, but safer, way around.
• Ensure you have suitable closed hiking boots.
• For day hiking wear comfortable hiking shoes.
• Wear sufficient sunscreen and a hat.
• Many areas on reserves do not have cell phone signal. Save your battery for times when you do have signal and communicate with reliable people where you are.
• Plan your hiking routes and communicate it with reliable people on the routes you are using and when to expect you back.
• Have escape routes planned and know where you can walk out to safety.
• Ensure to take your prescription medication with you (sufficient for an extra day or two).
• Only hike routes that align with your fitness and experience level (this applies to the whole group).
• Have a map and emergency numbers with you, not just on your cell phone. When your phone battery dies, you cannot access the map or emergency numbers.
• Ensure to take a first aid kit, torch, whistle and extra batteries.
• If you are hiking with small children, think carefully about the routes you use and the weather conditions.
• If anyone in your group is injured. Someone needs to stay with the patient, while another person (preferably 2) walk out to find help.
• Do not hike alone, the ideal group size is between 6 – 8 people.
• Stay in a group and on the trails.
• Obey all signage.