Crystal Pools Hiking Trail & Steenbras River Gorge
STEENBRAS RIVER GORGE & CRYSTAL POOLS HIKING TRAIL
Clarence Drive, Gordon’s Bay
Crystal Pools is a very popular and fairly easy hike to a series of mountain pools in a beautiful Valley known as the Steenbras River Gorge, but it officially forms part of the Steenbras Nature Reserve, and the hike follows the Palmiet River up the gorge.
PLEASE NOTE
- The hiking trail is closed during the winter months and is only open from 1 November to 30 April each year.
- A carrying capacity of 50 persons per day is allowed.
GETTING THERE
Drive out to Gordon’s Bay on the N2. At Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, take the turn-off to Gordon’s Bay. You will reach a T-junction when you arrive at Gordon’s Bay — turn left onto the R44 (the coastal road that leads to Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay, and finally Hermanus). After 6.6km you will reach the Pitstop Lodge: Grille shack, on the right-hand side of the road.
HOW TO GET A PERMIT
- You must be in possession of a pre-booked and paid permit in order to enter this area.
- A carrying capacity of 50 persons per day are allowed, book early to avoid disappointment.
- A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 persons are allowed per group.
- One permit per person.
BOOKING OPTIONS
- Pitstop Lodge – Online Bookings for Monday – Friday @ R99 per person
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
- Pitstop Lodge – Online Bookings for Weekends & Public Holidays @ R119 per person
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
- City of Cape Town – email Bookings: To book, email steenbras.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za with the size of your party at least two working days before you’d like to set off. They’re open Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Call +27(0)214446927 for more information.
Remember to print out your permit and take it with you when you visit the nature reserve.
PARKING
Parking is just further along the R44 towards Rooiels, just over the bridge and on the right-hand side.
Parking is available at Pitstop from 2nd January 2019.
START & FINISH
Cross the road and walk along the fence to the entrance where you can present your permit. The trail runs up the gorge and ends at the same point.
DISTANCE
8km
RATING
Fairly Easy
FEATURES
The path starts out fairly easy, after a quick walk down to the valley floor it follows the river up the valley. The path is well marked, with short red pegs in the ground at regular intervals to keep you on track to the beautiful pools you will make your second home.
There are some jumps off the cliffs into the pools. If you are feeling pretty brave, wait for someone else to jump to see where the best launching spots are. Do not dive into the pools.
TAKE WITH YOU ON YOUR HIKE
You will need the following:
- sunglasses,
- good walking shoes,
- refreshments and water,
- camera,
- binoculars
Please note that this is not a dog walking route.
Please note that refunds on permits are not possible.
We do however understand that nature can be unpredictable and circumstances may result in hiking conditions not being favourable on the day of your booking. Should this be the case we will certainly assist by accommodating.