So, you want to start hiking? That’s great. Be prepared to explore places you can’t drive to, swim in rock pools that are waay too cold and have your breath taken away by the incredible views. Like all things though, there are some serious tips to consider and accept that sometimes it can get hairy. Still, it’s all part of the adventure and such stories make life fun.
You are going to slip and the landing won’t always be graceful
The first time I went hiking up Lion’s Head was on one of my first dates with my now husband. It was a hot, dry day and on our way down, I slipped and slid down a few metres. I tried my best not to bump my head and was ultimately stopped by some shrubs. My husband rushed over to me with a rather unconvincing “are you okay?” He was trying unsuccessfully not to laugh. I feebly responded that I was fine and he helped me up. Then there was this awkward moment where I’m trying to brush all the sand off my bum and he’s standing there not knowing if he should help me or not. The correct answer here is don’t help, I don’t know you like that. So, you’ll fall now and then. Sometimes you can recover quickly, other times it’ll just be very awkward. Worst case scenario. You break or sprain something.
Lion’s head is the mountain between Table Mountain and Signal Hill in Cape Town. It has fantastic views of the city and coastline. It is generally a light to moderate walk. There is some scrambling up rocks to get to the peak and chains along the way. On average depending your fitness it’s about a hour and half to two hour walk up and down. Park along signal hill road (there are multiple starting points depending on your route preference) and there’s no cost to entry.
You need plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen
It should go without saying that you need to hydrate. Bring more water than you think you will need. I’ve seen people underestimate the mountain and bring little to no water with them. This will make for a very uncomfortable hike, especially in summer.
A few years ago, I went up Table Mountain on the platteklip hiking route. There are a few routes up but platteklip is the busiest and most popular hiking route up the mountain. Although it is the most direct route to the top, it is not an easy hike and many visitors underestimate it.
We started in the morning but in the summer it’s still gets very hot in the morning. Along the way, we came a cross people who were not quite prepared for the heat, steepness and intensity of the trail. Also, they didn’t have any water and I’m sure one of them was about to pass out. That’s where that extra water bottle of ours came in handy. The trail’s starting point is just after the cable car and I think many visitors think it would be quicker than waiting in the queue for the cable car, which can take a while. Before you start hiking up a trail, ask yourself, “Is it a mountain?” And if is… hydrate.
You need some gear down the line
Once you’ve done your fair share of walking and hiking, the idea that hat you should wear comfortable walking shoes while hiking seems like a given. There will be uneven terrain, scrambling on rocks, pressure on your feet from the walking and slippery sections. Your flip flops or bare feet are not the best options for this. I’ve read about a group of South African adventurers who climbed mount Kilimanjaro barefoot. Don’t use that as a benchmark when you start hiking. You my friend, are not yet this adventurer. Rather, grab an pair of comfortable walking shoes.
Having said that, you don’t need expensive trail shoes or boots to start. I think your gym or running shoes are alright until you start hiking more difficult or multiday route. When you decide this is your vibe, then invest in shoes with more grip and/or ankle support if you need it.
Know where you are going!
It’s okay to start with a relatively easy hike when you start hiking. No need to be a hero. Look for a trail that preferably has a circular route or one that has markers along the way. I’d also go with ‘relatively flat’. However, if you decide to start with a difficult, technical hike or multiday – I would love to hear how that went. Don’t start with one that only has a roughly drawn map that’s not scale, like we have once done. I can assure you, you will see flames!
Although our hike in Mountain Sanctuary was not my first, if it was I would’ve never gone on a hike again. The exceptionally friendly guy at reception gave us our map and described the generally direction we needed to travel. The day before we had walked to some rock pools in the area and thought it would be fun. Our pseudo-map didn’t help much and I still don’t know if we went the right way or just got lost. After being accosted by trees, slowly losing sight of the sun and a few tears. We made it to the bottom and it was beautiful but not the end. We the had to take our shoes off and wade through hip deep water. This is what reception had referred to as “some wet patches.”
As the crow flies
How long will it take to complete? The answer is not a particularly helpful one. It will take as long as it takes. It depends on your fitness levels, how often you stop to take in the views and photos, and I suppose how many in your group are wearing flip flops. All the trails you go on will likely tell you how many kilometres the trail is but your watch or phone will end up telling you something different. I sometimes think the listed distance is “as the crow flies” which is not at all helpful because I need the human distance!
You will definitely want to take the time to explore, enjoy and marvel at just how amazing being outside is. Yes, even if you’re not “an outdoorsy person.”
“It will take as long as it takes. It depends on your fitness levels, how often you stop to take in the views and photos, and I suppose how many in your group are wearing flip flops.” Hahahaha.
The number of people I see hiking in flops is just wow. 😅