This August we decided it would be a good time to introduce the kids (4 and 6) to hiking as we frequently go on nice long walks, often with some incline, so the have had a chance to build up some stamina and a passion for being in nature.
I would definitely suggest first getting your children used to walking for longer periods at a mild incline before attempting any sort of hike. A great starting place would be the Majik Forest in the Northern Suburbs, or the Alphen Trail in the Southern Suburbs.
As my husband is an avid hiker he suggested we start with Cecilia Forest and do some of the Contour Path, with the aim of trying to make it to a stunning large waterfall situated at the bottom of the Skeleton Gorge path. He picked this route because it is quite heavily trafficked on beautiful Cape Town days, there is a fair amount of shade, there is not too much heavy incline, and there terrain is varied with a few lovely smaller waterfalls along the way.
From the Cecilia Forest parking lot on Rhodes Drive the path started out wide with a steady uphill section and little shade. Once we got through that first portion of the hike and entered a more wooded section, the kids got really excited! We crossed a lovely stream, posed for pictures under huge trees that seemed to touch the sky, and marveled at some beautiful flowers.
We then walked uphill for a short while to where the path opened up to a treeless section with stunning views of the Southern Suburbs below. We stopped here so the kids could catch their breath and sip on some water, and for me to take some family photos.
Note: I strongly suggest packing lots of small snacks, plenty of water, and taking plenty of short breaks along the way. Hiking with kids really does remind you to stop and just enjoy the sounds, smells and scenery around you.
In the next section of the hike the path became narrower and a bit steeper and we made sure to hold hands and had our kids walk on the left hand side, away from the edge, wherever there was any drop (even a mild one). Instilling caution without causing fear is important to us as parents, and I do strongly suggest that if your children are not yet at the age where they can consistently follow clear instruction or understand the potential dangers associated with hiking, rather wait until they are a little older.
That being said, if they are ready, and if you are cautious, I believe hiking with children can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. One of the many highlights of our hike was when 4 year old Goose asked to pause for a rest, and ended up sitting and staring out at the view for about five minutes before we continued on our way.
We then reached a sign which read "Welcome to Kirstenbosch" and then another smaller one directing us upward to The Contour Path.
The next part of the trail was fairly long and flat, which was a nice break from the previous inclines. Here we passed a stunning array of purple, white and pink flowers, had to dodge the occasional trail runner or cyclist, and let a few other hikers (many with their dogs) pass us as we continued on our slow and steady pace, stopping frequently to admire our surroundings. As we got closer to the mountain peak ahead of us, we started to hear the sound of gushing water ahead, and came to a lovely ravine.
In this next section of the forest, close to the ravine, the terrain changed dramatically. We were all entranced by the moss covered rocky outcrops, tiny "fairy waterfalls" trickling in the bush, and beams of light peaking through the trees. It felt as though we were a hundred kilometres from the nearest town.
Just a short walk further along we came to Nursery Ravine, where we met a group of Sanparks patrollers. My husband spoke with them for a while, the kids played in the water, and I took dozens of photographs.
After some time, we decided it was to head on, taking a right to continue along the contour path.
The next section of the trail was the most nerve-wrecking for me as a Mom. There was quite a sheer drop beside the path, and we held our children's hands tightly as we walked along. It was at this point that Bug and Goose started to get a bit of jelly legs too. If it weren't for the sound of the waterfall getting louder with each step, and the excitement bubbling in our bellies, I don't think the kids would have pushed on at this point.
We continued straight past the sign to turn left and up to Skeleton Gorge, and arrived at the most incredible, gushing waterfall. The kids were shrieking with excitement, and we all knew that this last section of the trail had been worth it! We stopped for a picnic and spent ages playing in the river, the kids hopping from rock to rock until they could touch the waterfall, giggling as the spray hit their cheeks. I was happy I had my Vibrams on so I could walk in the water!
On the walk back we decided to take a shorter route, and turned left at the Smuts Pad Rock. We made our way down fairly steep, shaded path, and then turned right onto a wide gravel path running along the area just above Kirstenbosch Gardens. The flowers were stunning and the kids saw dozens of black lizards sunbathing.
The easier return trail meant that we were all very surprised when we passed right by the Kirstenbosch irrigation dam in such a short space of time.
We had a wonderful time and will be looking for the next kid friendly hike soon.
The icing on the cake was Max finding a painted rock on the final leg of the path which said "Paradise isn't a place, it's a feeling".
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope that you enjoyed it, and that the idea translates into your own awesome adventure with your kids.
Disclaimer: I am not a hiking or child development expert. Please use caution when hiking, always hike in groups or on busy paths, pay attention to the difficulty level, and stay within your own comfort zone. Most of all, be safe and have fun!
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