While Cape Town’s vibrant city life and big attractions often steal the spotlight, the greater Cape region holds secrets of its own.
Tucked within its rugged coastline, mountains and reserves lie a number of fascinating caves, many forgotten by locals and overlooked by visitors.
For those curious and bold enough to venture off the beaten path, these natural wonders offer a glimpse into the hidden heart of the Cape.
And even though the Cape is a slice of paradise, you should still take the necessary precautions when heading out to secluded areas, so always make sure to explore in groups.
Here are five caves to add to your bucket list:
Boomslang Cave, Kalk Bay:
The Boomslang Cave lies above Kalk Bay and is a hidden treat for those who are new to the world of exploring. The two-hour trek boasts magnificent scenery. Be mindful of bats who call this little haven home and make sure to bring along a flashlight as you venture out to reach the other side. You’ll have to do a fair amount of crawling, so if you’re claustrophobic, you might want to sit this one out.
To reach the cave, you’d want to take the train to Kalk Bay Station and climb up to Boyes Drive to the sign indicating Echo Valley. This is the start of the trail which you’ll follow all the way to Boomslang Cave. Parts of the cave get about 30 cm of water during winter so spring and summer is the best time to have an adventure.
Location: Boomslang Caves Trail, Clovelly, Cape Town
Peers Cave, Fish Hoek:
Fun fact: Peers Cave was named after Victor Peers, who excavated the cave along with his son in 1927 and found a roughly 13 000-year-old human skull. This 3.2km loop trail is located near Fish Hoek and is rated as moderate. It features beautiful wild flowers for you to feast your eyes on. The hike going up is bearable but starts to become rocky as you reach the top. Once you make the journey, you’ll be able to enjoy glorious views of Noordhoek.
You can reach Peers Cave from either Fish Hoek or Ou Kaapse Weg. Drive up from Sun Valley heading in the direction of Cape Town and find the signboard to Peers Cave to your right in a small layby. Make sure to venture out in large groups to stay safe and find safe parking for your car before you head out on an adventure of a lifetime.
Location: Silvermine Road, Fish Hoek, Cape Town
Tartarus Cave, Muizenberg:
Not for the faint-hearted. This journey is better suited to those who are adventurous because you’ll have to go through a small hole in the rocky ground and enter a mysterious world that is home to 50m of multiple chambers. Embark on your Tartatus Cave adventure by driving towards 110 Boyes Drive and stopping at the Bailey’s Kloof sign, where you’ll find a footpath. After a 30-minute walk up the path, the start of the Tartarus Cave will be visible.
The entrance hole lies on the face of Silvermine Mountain in the Silvermine Nature Reserve, which is part of the Table Mountain National Park. The walk to the cave is an easy one, but the incline is steep. So remember to bring along shoes with good grip, tonnes of water, and a flashlight.
But don’t let the journey put you off because those who prefer not to descend into the caves can walk around it and still experience the untouched beauty. Practice caution as some paths are narrow and slippery. It’s advised to go in large groups.
Location: Silvermine Nature Reserve, Cape Town
Klipgat Cave:
Klipgat Cave is located close to the seaside village of De Kelders and accessed via the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. You can expect to enjoy some stunning views of the ocean as you tackle the 7km-long trail towards Klipgat Cave, which starts at Gansbaai Harbour.
The cave reached cultural, historical and world heritage significance due to the 1992 excavation, where archaeologists uncovered some of the earliest human remains of Homo sapiens amongst other findings. This slice of heaven is accessible via a boardwalk and has two chambers. The first has a rocky floor that leads to the sea and to the left of this chamber is a small entryway that leads to the main site of the cave.
Location: 16 17th Avenue, Hermanus
Elephant’s Eye Cave, Constantiaberg:
The name for Elephant’s Eye in Cape Town stems from the shape of the mountainside which resembles the side of an elephant’s head. The eye section is the cave, which is also the leading destination of the hike and the highlight of the adventure. This is a fairly easy hike, although the last hurdle to get to the cave is rather steep and you’ll need a good pair of shoes.
This is considered to be one of the most beautiful hiking trails that Table Mountain serves on a silver platter. Most of the walk is along paths and gravel roads, but the higher you go, the more stunning your surroundings will become. Start at the Silvermine Nature Reserve parking area, at the end of the road as close to the dam, end the hike at the cave and then return the same way you came.
Location: Table Mountain National Park, Table Mountain (Nature Reserve), Cape Town
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Picture: Unsplash
