Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine

The Table Mountain along with its hilly escarpments facing the city of Cape Town is a hiker’s paradise. Numerous treks traverse through this mountainous region either going to the top or leading to picturesque valleys and waterfalls dotted with many flowering plants. One of these will take you to the Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine, which has been named after Hugo Hendrik Myburgh who once farmed near the foot of the ravine. The route to Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine is mostly covered with Disa Uniflora plants that burst into magnificent bloom mostly during January through March every year.

Hikers attempting to reach Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine have two options (both being equally hazardous and so appear more inviting to daring souls), one starting from the Constantia Nek while the other through the Suikerbossie turn-off from Atlantic Drive, bang opposite the Little Lion’s Head. Most people, though prefer the former and hence is described below.

Nevertheless, those preferring to take the former route should remember that the trekker has to negotiate numerous twists and turns before reaching the destination. For instance, immediately after the descent from Constantia Nek on the road towards Hout Bay, one has to take the Disa Road turn-off to the right. After reaching the end of the road, he/she has to turn left into Valley Road and then take the first right hand turn that reaches Garron, straight into Connemara. From here one has to turn left into Hunter’s and then into Farriers to the top. There is also a pathway on the left, just before the end of the road. The backpacker should take this and ascend through the contour trail that runs from Suikerbossie to the Orange Kloof, which of course, is part of a classified area. Nevertheless, the trekker has to turn right and follow the same contour trail for a short distance to reach the wooded ravine.

While in the ravine, you should look for the route that is marked by a pile of boulders strategically placed for your benefit. Once you reach this, carry on through it for about a quarter of an hour to reach a cliff face situated to the left of the ravine. You will need to scramble up through the rock formation going to a relatively higher level where the pathway continues into the ravine.

Reaching this point, you may find boulders resembling large prehistoric mammals resting under the shade of lofty indigenous trees where the trek veers to right, ascending an easy gradient. This is the site for numerous Disa blooming brightly among rocky crevices, presenting a glorious setting, the ideal location for a much needed lunch break.

However, one should continue along the rock face dotted with delightful Disa till higher in the gorge the waterfall would be visible at a close range. But one should not run for it from the near side as it very slippery. Instead, one may go over the cascade to the opposite end and then climb through a better trek where the ravine opens out, offering gorgeous views over the Orange Kloof with the Cape Flats and the False Bay lying far away. And that’s where the beautiful trek ends.