“The early bird catches the worm,” or in this case, the sunrise. When hiking in the Mother City, you’ll never gaze upon the same majestic view twice. A different hue sprinkles magic over our eyes each time, a warm reminder that our city is breathtakingly beautiful. A kaleidoscopic experience that can only be found in one unique location: Cape Town.
Say good morning to a brand new day, and start it off on the right foot with a trail to Eagle’s Nest in Constantia Nek, perfect for sneaking a quick truly lekker sunrise or bagging a quick peak before you start your day.
Also read: 4 hikes with epic views that aren’t Lions Head
Eagle’s Nest sunrise hike is a really short and sweet one with a gentle but steep 2.6 kilometer climb up to the small peak attached to the rear-end of Table Mountain.
It’s a great track for any beginner or intermediate hiker looking to get their cardio vascular system revving first thing in the morning while catching some of the most spectacular views overlooking Orangekloof, Hout Bay, Constantiaberg, Little Lion’s Head, and Vlakkenberg the Mother City has to offer.
It’s definitely steppy and a little bit rocky so be sure to gear up with a good pair of takkies. The key ingredient here, is grip.
At this point it might start sounding a bit intimidating and you might but trust us, take it at your own pace and once you get to the top for sunrise views, you’ll instantly feel that choosing steep over sleep that morning was well worth it.
You start at the Constantia Nek car park and as you pass the entry gates, take the first path to the left – just above the jeep track – and head up the clear and easy to follow slopes. There’s a little shortcut (just incase you’re looking to impress your fellow hikers) about half way up the slope as the main path takes a right turn, you’ll see a faint path that continues straight up.
Otherwise continue up until the main path rejoins the jeep track. At the road’s dead end, there’ll be a path that leads on up to the nek between Eagle’s Nest and Constantia Corner. Here you can choose from two paths to your left that will take you to the top of Eagle’s Nest.
Once you’ve reached the trig beacon, you’ll be rewarded with a front row seat to the masterpiece that is a Cape Town sunrise.
It’s a popular dog-friendly area for running, hiking, and walking so you’ll be sure to encounter many a happy chappy morning person and pretty pooches as you make your way up.
The easy-breezy details:
- Difficulty: beginner and intermediate – short and steep
- Parking: The top of Constantia Nek parking (the circle with La Parada and the fruit sellers) following the dirt road on the right hand side.
- Starting location: The path to the left of the “Constantia Nek” sign
- Duration: Approximately less than an hour depending on your pace and the amount of time you spend hypnotised by the picturesque sunrise views
- Fee: none
If you’d prefer going in a group, join Trail Fit SA on 2 October 2022 at 5.30 am. Check their facebook event for more information and ticket prices.
Also read:
Breakfast spots served from the City Bowl to try this (and every) week
Picture: Unsplash
