Everything you need to know about the gorgeous Bainskloof Waterfall Hike. This hiking trail takes you past three waterfalls in the Bainskloof mountains. The start of this trail is the Tweede Tol campsite in Bainskloof. This hike can thus be done as a part of a camping weekend at Tweede Tol – check out their rates and availability here. Alternatively, Bainskloof is only an hour and a half drive from Cape Town making it tangible to do this as a day trip hike.

Details:

Start Location: Tweede Tol Campsite, Bainskloof

Distance: +/-5km

Duration: 2 hours including a stop and a swim – this can definitely be spread out over a whole day by spending more time at each pool and waterfall

Difficulty: Easy. Path is mostly flat with no strenuous sections. The trail is very manageable for hikers of all levels of fitness and experience. The path can be a little tricky to follow at times, if in doubt follow the river.

Conservation fee: R50 per adult for day visitors, free with a wild card, free for Tweede Tol campers. Fees can be paid at the entrance office on the day of the hike.

What to pack: hiking shoes, costume, towel, mask & snorkel, snacks, hat, suncream.

The Route:

You can park at the Tweede Tol campsite parking and visit the entrance office to buy your permits. The trail then begins up a dirt path. After a short while you’ll cross the river to walk along the right hand side of the river. Follow the yellow foot prints for the rest of the trail.

You will soon arrive at the first pool. This has a short, thin waterfall that you can jump from. There is a lovely deep pool with a cute side pool (this natural jacuzzi!) with a mini waterfall that you can also wallow in. Swimming here and rock jumping here is divine! This was my favourite waterfall of the Bainskloof Waterfall Hike.

Continue up and around the top of the first waterfall to find the path again. You’ll just continue along this path until you reach the second waterfall. The second waterfall has a much wider, shallower pool. The rocks at the top of the waterfall make a great seating area. The brave can jump from the top of the waterfall, otherwise enjoy a swim around the big mountain pool and take a shower under the cascading waterfall.

 

You can continue up to the third waterfall from here. We ran out of time and so headed back down after the first waterfall.

The Bainskloof Waterfall Hike is a perfect escape into nature. Whether you just head up for the day or make a whole weekend of it by camping at Tweede Tol, you’re bound to have a wonderful time. The waterfalls are magnificent, the flora beautiful and there’s nothing quite like a swim in fresh mountain water. For the free divers out there why not pack in a mask and snorkel? The mountain pools are beautifully clear and it makes for a pleasant change to freedive in fresh water!

For more exciting and adventurous hikes in and around Cape Town why not check out my recent posts on the Bailey’s Kloof, Red Disa Hike, Suther Peak, Tranquility Cracks,  Cecilia Waterfall, Kloof Corner, Devil’s Peak, Judas Peak, or my post on the Top 10 Hikes in Cape Town. Or if you’re looking for something a little further a field why not check out the Panorama Hike in Jonkershoek or Crystal Pools Hike.