5 REASONS WHY THE HOTTENTOTS HOLLAND MOUNTAINS SHOULD CALL YOU

PLACES WE’VE BEEN, ADVENTURES, NATURE | SEPTEMBER 8, 2017

The Hottentots Holland mountains are just a short trip from Cape Town. They’re part of a lush, fynbos-covered mountain range that stretches for about 70,000 hectares.

They form part of a CapeNature reserve with the same name.

And they offer hiking opportunities, with overnight stays at four huts: Landroskop Hut, Shamrock Hut, Boesmanskloof Hut and Aloe Ridge Hut.

So of course we had to investigate this secretive spot, hidden away in the Cape Floral Kingdom.

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Here’s what we found – that there are at least 5 reasons (and probably a whole lot more) as to why this reserve should lure you closer.

1. Waking up above the clouds

And there’s no airplane involved. We literally woke up in our Landroskop Hut, and sipped our morning coffee looking out over the clouds. It’s one of those moments you’ll never forget.

2. The fynbos, of course

The colours, the variety, the patterns. It was a fynbos landscape rich in species (including many species we’re not used to seeing in the Overberg). Around 1300 fynbos species occur here, including several rare and endemic plants.

3. The trails

There’s no need to be super fit. The trails are very manageable, even with slightly heavier rucksacks (there’s no slackpacking option here). And the views on the trails were simply spectacular.

4. Get excited about ziplining

Our hike took us past the Cape Canopy Tour ziplining fun – and had us watching the brave ‘zipliners’. So by the end of the hike, we had set up our next adventure – a trip to see the Elgin fynbos landscapes dangling from a wire high above the ground.

5. Wicus – the local dog

In fact, we have no idea whose dog he was, and what his name was. But Wicus showed us the way when we were unsure. And became our inseparable companion during two days of hiking.

The best bit?

For Capetonians it’s about a 20 minute drive from Somerset West to the start of the reserve. And it’s likely to become a hiking adventure you’ll never forget.

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Heather is our content writer. She enjoys helping our clients formulate their message and loves to run her way across beautiful mountains, to explore new places and is always ready for an adventure.