Hiking in the Kalk Bay mountains is always a treat and this little loop is just perfect for a weekend adventure in the mountains! You’ll be treated to gorgeous views over Muizenberg as you hike up Bailey’s Kloof. As you walk through the Mimetes Valley the path will be lined with the mimetes fimbriifolius, a tree pagoda that is indigenous to the area. Take a short detour to Nellie’s Pool and watch the frogs ribbeting in the natural pool. Then explore a cave before heading up to St James Peak for all round stunning views of False Bay.

St James Peak Hike via Bailey’s Kloof

Details:

Start Location: Bailey’s Kloof- parking is right next to the Muizenberg Shark Spotters along Boyes Drive

Distance: 5.65km

Duration: 2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate. Path is easy to find. The section up Bailey’s Kloof is a bit steep but otherwise the trail is very manageable for hikers of all levels of fitness and experience.

Conservation fee: None

The Route:

To start with you’ll park at the Shark Spotters along Boyes Drive. The Bailey’s Kloof trail is just acorss the road from here. Follow the path up the steep Baileys Kloof.  You may spot a few rare irises (Ixia Dubia is a orange one and Fleur-de-lys is the purple one) on the way up.

At the top you will reach an intersection with three possible paths. The left path will take you towards Echo Valley, the right takes you to St James Peak, and the path straight ahead goes through the Mimetes Valley. You will go straight here to enter the Mimetes Valley. Follow this flat path as you walk through Mimetes Valley. The path is lined with the mimites tree pagoda and cape snow.

After walking for a while you will reach a jeep track. Take the right fork and walk until you see the sign to the right for St James Peak- you’re going to come back to this point so remember it. If you’d like you can walk a little further along the jeep track until you see a turn off to Nellie’s pool to the right. Here you can listen to the frogs and have a snack before going back to the St James Peak turn off a few metres back.

You’ll now turn left into the St James Peak turn off. Follow the path as it winds up a gradual slope. You may want to turn right at a point that takes you to a cave. But otherwise you need to keep to the path on the left to get to St James Peak. The path climbs up gradually before you reach a plateau with gorgeous views of Muizenberg through to Simon’s Town. To get to the actual trig beacon you keep going down the path.

This path then winds down the left side of the mountain before turning to the right when you’ll end up back at the top of Bailey’s Kloof. You can just head straight down here back to the start of the trail.

This is a really lovely hike that isn’t too long or too strenuous making it a great place to start your hiking journey.

For more exciting and adventurous hikes in and around Cape Town why not check out my recent posts on the Red Disa Hike, Suther Peak, Tranquility Cracks,  Cecilia Waterfall, Kloof Corner, Devil’s Peak, Judas Peak, Panorama hike in Jonkershoek or my post on the Top 10 Hikes in Cape Town.