Constantia Nek is for walks for Constantia moms once they’ve dropped the kids off at school, mountain bikers doing their dirt training, for every Joe Soap and their auntie who decided to start hiking during lockdown level 4 and all the hikes have lame views over the dry flats and plains of Cape Town. These were all beliefs that I held about any hike or walk at Constantia Nek. All until they were all shattered by the most incredible sunrise hike to Eagle’s Nest in Constantia Nek.
This hike is really short and sweet with a gentle 20-25 minute walk up to Eagle’s Nest. You’ll be treated to views of Hout Bay, Little Lion’s Head, Orangekloof and the whole of False Bay and the Cape Flats.
I’ve done this hike twice now, once in winter with a bearable 6:15am start and once in summer with a far less bearable 4:50am start. Although the early alarm may feel dreadful in the moment, I can assure you that this is definitely one of those ‘early bird catches the worm’ moments.
Start Location: Constantia Nek parking (the circle with La Parada and the fruit sellers). Drive up the dirt road on the right hand side up to the top parking. Park here and walk up the road to the boom to the start of the trail.
Distance: 2.6km
Duration: 45 mins up and down (allocate extra time for admiring the sunrise on top)
Difficulty: Easy. Path is easy to follow and the walk is short. Slightly steep but nothing too difficult.
Conservation fee: None
Once you’ve parked walk past the boom onto the jeep track. Take the immediate left up some wooden steps. Follow this trail all the way up to the top. You will then reach the end of the steps where they meet the upper jeep track. Turn left onto the jeep track and then turn right shortly afterwards at the end of the road. Follow the narrow path up Eagle’s Nest which will loop round the front of the rocks before taking you on a little climb up to the top. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the trig beacon.
Enjoy the panoramic views over Orangekloof, Hout Bay, Little Lion’s Head, the Constantia winelands and the Cape Flats beyond. You will walk down the same way you came up.
Remember to bring a flask, some tea or coffee and rusks to enjoy the while watching the sunrise.
For more exciting and adventurous hikes in and around Cape Town why not check out my recent posts on Bailey’s Kloof, 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.
Planning a trip to Cape Town and need a place to stay? For budget travellers check out Never at Home, Kloof Street. Book a stay at Gorgeous George for beautiful interiors and a funky rooftop bar. Or stay at or Kloof Street Hotel to be in the heart of the city.
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