Cape Town - Walking Slangkop to Long Beach, Kommetjie

Walk from Slangkop Lighthouse to Long Beach 

With brilliant sunshine on a spring day in Cape Town we decided that one of our favourite walks was calling! Park at Slangkop Lighthouse and set off on the board walk. Dogs are welcome but you need to have a valid Dog Walking Wild Card and please do remember to pick up any poo!

"The Slangkop Point Lighthouse in Kommetjie has a long history dating back to 1914 when it was scheduled to be completed. When World War 1 broke out, the completion of the lighthouse was pushed back and it was only completed in 1919".

There are numerous Memorial Benches along the path, set at scenic spots, so these are ideal if one just needs to rest awhile, smell the sea air or juts take a moment to "be" It's that sort of area - great to restore the soul and enjoy the calming atmosphere on most parts of this walk. It does get busier towards the beach area during the summer months..

• It is the tallest cast iron lighthouse in South Africa
• It is part of the Marine Protected Area of Table Mountain National Park
• Although fully automated it is one of the few lighthouses in the world that is still manned by a lighthouse keeper or officer.

" In May 1900 the Kakapo was on its maiden voyage from Wales to Australia, when in poor visibility the captain mistook Chapmans Peak for Cape Point. The shipwreck was part of the movie backdrop for the 1960 's movie Ryan's Daughter"

Whilst the movie was shot in Ireland on the Dingle Peninsula, bad weather resulted in many scenes being shot in Cape Town!

Whilst the area near the slipway and small beach are busy, most of the walk towards Long Beach is an ideal spot for watching the various water birds. Feeding on the insects in the kelp is a huge attraction for the birds and there were plenty of bugs crawling around the seaweed! The birds are very welcome to catch all those little critters!

The Mountain views are so beautiful as one heads towards Long Beach - the sea here is enjoyed by stand up paddlers, surfers, canoeists and swimmers. Although, bear in mind, that the water is pretty chilly. Not everybody can be like Lewis Pugh who manages to swim in so many seas around the world with much colder temperatures than the waters of Cape Town. 

 

Now juts imagine that these short steps would take you into you beautiful seaside home - so close to the sea that stormy weather could perhaps be a problem! The homes along this stretch enjoy magnificent views across the bay.

Long Beach stretches for 8 km at the end of this wander - soft white sands as far as the eye can see. We stopped at the start of the beach and returned to our car parked near Slangkop Lighthouse.

For those who enjoy camping you can try the Slangkop Tented Camp set under Milkwood trees. It's just a hop and a skip to either the path to the beach or to the shops in the village.

Then the sunset can be enjoyed with a glass of wine without having to drive back home again!

And just like that, the path ends at Long Beach - enjoy!

For Accommodation in Cape Town:

www.bradclin.com

 

 

 

Cape Town - Kommetjie, Cape Town

Slangkop Lighthouse, Kommetjie

Kommetjie - this village appears so far removed from the hustle and bustle of the suburbs closer to the city of Cape Town, that it feels as if one has entered into another world of laid-back seaside living. With it's rocky shores, beautiful Slangkop Lighthouse,  the Kom Cat Walk and village pubs that offer live music , it makes for an interesting outing.,  

Bird Life is prolific along the rocky shores and a variety of species can be seen - ideal for keen bird watchers to while away a lazy morning or afternoon while inhaling the fresh sea air. Sometimes, the tables are turned and the birds watch the photographers!

 Drive down Gladioli Way and park in Benning Drive - this gives you a walk to the left, all along the shore. The Boardwalk is at the end of this walk where you meet up with the Slangkop Lighthouse. This lighthouse was commissioned in 1919 and became fully automated in 1979. Unfortunately, the lighthouse is not open to the public over week-ends so if you wish to enjoy the steep climb to the top, you need to visit Monday to Friday 10.00 to 15.00 hrs (closed 12.00 - 12.30) 

Kommetjie is synonymous with surfing as this village just happens to be the first landfall on the African continent for swells generated in the stormy 4000 km stretch known as the "Roaring Forties" The result? Waves in all shapes and sizes, all year long. Whilst there were only a handful of surfers out today, the beach becomes very crowded at times as the surfers flock to get their adrenalin fix!

Long Beach is a particular favourite with all surfers and the village has produced National Champions. With great surf on your doorstep, kids must learn to love the sea and those waves from an early age! What's more, they all appear to be very polite in greeting strangers to their turf.

The views are stunningly beautiful across to the mountains towards Hout Bay and especially so on a sunny day. Even with moody, grey skies, their is is a feeling of calm and peace here. 

For those wishing to really get back to nature and enjoy more than a few hours here, there is an interesting tented camp called Slangkop Tented Camp very close to the boardwalk. Ideal for watching sunsets while nestled between the Milkwood trees.

There are, of course, many other B&B's around but this one has something unique in it's location which struck a chord with me!

Further inland we chanced upon the Skilpadsvlei Conservation area. This wetland was drained and filled in during the 1940's - thankfully, it has now been restored and is a breeding ground for the endangered Western Leopard Toad. A local resident very kindly offered us some information on this area and said that the residents have to rescue these toads during mating season when they are often found on the roads nearby! There are 2 log seats close to the vlei - sit quietly and listen for the toads. We did not hear them - perhaps, a very busy night had left them a little tired or they were prepping up for another night of raucous mating!    

By now we were thirsty and hungry, so following local advice we headed to Fisherman's for a cold beer and something to eat. It turned out to be a good choice as the musician was entertaining the patrons with some amusing lyrics, sung to well-know tunes. Besides singing and playing his guitar, he also gave us a wonderful rendition of Baker Street, played on his saxophone..

All in all, a great afternoon out!

  © Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

                For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

                                      www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!