LET’S HIKE!
Make the most of these sunny days – put on your walking shoes and head for the mountains.
DISA GORGE, HELDERBERG NATURE RESERVE
All the trails in Helderberg near Somerset West start with a bit of a climb – that’s what happens when you lay out a reserve against the slopes of a mountain! But as you climb higher, the crowds of people recede and the views over Melkbaai get more scenic. Before you know it, all thoughts of life admin are as far away as your car down below. Disa Gorge is not an official trail. It’s made up of different sections of other trails in the reserve. When people say they’re hiking up to “the gorge”, they’re following an amalgamated route. There are three pathways that start at the entrance to the veld section of the reserve near the parking area. Choose the boardwalk. Turn left at the first fork and look for sunbirds in the stands of ericas. Follow the boardwalk until you reach a “four-way stop” at three yellowwood trees. Turn right and cross the stream. Now take the first left. The trail gradually rises through fields of sugarbush. In spring, king proteas bloom here. The trail eventually joins up with a gravel road, which is part of the Sugarbird Walk. The next 2 km is challenging: The trail rises to the base of Helderberg itself in six steep switchbacks. Sugarbirds are common on the slopes and they’re fairly tame. They’ll sometimes sit in a conebush only an arm’s length away. You’re almost there! Take a breather on the bench next to the trail – it even has an awning for shade. Now the road gets less steep. Turn left at the fire warning sign (the crying bokkie). After another 250 m, you’ll see a cool, green indigenous forest in Disa Gorge with a stream running through. Rest here for a bit. Sit on a rock, listen to the murmur of the water and eat a few Jelly Babies for energy.
The next section goes through the forest. It should take about 10 minutes to make your way past the yellowwood and red alder trees. When you reach the sign, turn left onto the Leopard Loop. You’re now above Somerset West and so high up that a hawk might circle nearby, looking for a mouse to catch. In the distance you can see the high-rise buildings of the Strand. Above, grey mountain peaks guard the landscape. After about half an hour you’ll reach a spot where three trails join up – turn left. Look around: In winter the metalasia bushes are covered in white flowers. Sit on the bench in the clearing below and have a drink of water while you admire the view, or sit on a big, flat rock a little way further. About 10 minutes later, the path joins up with the Protea Trail that you started on this morning, but now it’s downhill all the way! When you come to a bench, turn right and wind your way down to the Sugarbird gravel road again. Go right along the road then turn left at the first trail you come to. From here you can choose any route down – all the trails end up at the parking area. Enjoy the smell of the loamy soil and the chatter of the birds one last time before you head home.
Distance: The circular route is about 8,5 km long. It’s made up of sections of other trails, like Sugarbird, Protea and Leopard Loop. You’ll see fynbos, an indigenous forest and views into next week. The hike should take about 3 hours, including time to rest in the gorge.
Water? Take enough drinking water. The stream doesn’t always have water.
Map? Get a map at the visitors’ centre for R5. The routes are marked, but some aren’t very clear.
Where? Helderberg Nature Reserve is at the bottom of Verster Avenue, bordering Lourensford and Erinvale.
Opening times: Daily from 7.30 am to 7 pm in summer; 5.30 pm in winter.
Entrance fee: R20 per adult; R10 per child aged 3 – 18, plus R15 per vehicle.
Contact: 021 851 4060; helderbergnaturereserve.co.za