My friends Jess and Elmie always go walking their dogs or running in the Newlands Forest. The day Chris and I were invited to join them, we grasped the chance to escape the city and inhale a dose of fresh pine-scented air…

Where: Newlands Forest is situated beside the Southern Suburb called Newlands. If you’re driving from Cape Town CBD, take the M3 and find the turn-off to your right just past the University of Cape Town.

What to expect: Walking/Hiking Trails, Endangered Granite and Peninsula Shale Fynbos, Free Entrance

The Newlands Forest is a conservancy area and includes a Fire Station operating as the Headquarters of the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) fire fighting group. The forest is also home to the City Parks Nursery and the Newlands Reservoir built in the 1960’s that still serve as the main water source to the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.

Did you know?

The original inhabitants called the Khoi-khoi had to move their cattle and make way for the fast-growing Pine and Gum tree plantations in the late 17^th century which later also caused further exploitation with the need for more timber during the two World Wars. In time as the logging industry declined, plantations were moved, creating space for the original natural vegetation to flourish.

Discover and appreciate the endangered Granite Fynbos dominated by Silvertree, Protea and Daisy species and the Peninsula Shale Fynbos consisting mostly of Erica, Protea, Daisy and Geophyte species. The Granite Fynbos and Peninsula Shale Fynbos occurs nowhere else in the world…

Even though the four of us along with Elmie’s two dogs; Hurley and Ruby only went for a brisk walk, there are many hiking, walking and running trails in the Newlands Forest…

Easy Trail: 1¼ hours
Newlands Forest Station Roundabout Trail
Take a right towards the Helicopter landing pads and for the remainder of the trail take the left option at every fork. You will cross two streams on your way in and the same two streams on your way out. Expect to see beautiful views of Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs.

Moderate Trail: 2 hours
Newlands Forest to Rhodes Memorial
Continue along the Fernwood track into the forest. At the second turnstile the road leading down will take you to Rhodes Memorial (where there is a restaurant with views of the city and beyond).

Moderate Trail: 3 hours
Fernwood Track
Turn left away from the Helicopter landing pads and continue up this path called Skelmkoppad. When reaching the open span viewing the Gum tree plantation, take the path that turns left towards the Fernwood Track which naturally starts to turn to your right. When reaching the top, notice the path that goes up to the Newlands Ravine, but break for lunch and return back down the slopes on any of the many paths curling through the forest.

Don’t forget to take…

Good walking shoes or hiking boots. Sunscreen and a hat for summer, a raincoat in the winter or even just something warm in any type of weather as most of the paths are covered in constant shade which can become a bit chilly at times. Take enough water, an energy boosting snack and most importantly a companion; whether it be a friend, a dog or a camera to share in the joy of exploring the Newlands Forest.

Content & Images: Ed Beukes