Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Walk

By Vicky · Published Feb. 1st, 2026 · Updated Feb. 4th, 2026

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This easy walk in Blaauwberg Nature Reserve leads through vegetation-covered sand dunes, with views of Table Mountain and lots of birds.

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Walk Map

Location

This walk starts from Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Car Park. This is also known as Eerste Steen Braai and Picnic Facility. It’s about 30 minutes drive from central Cape Town. Note that the car park is open 8am-5pm from May to October and 8am-7pm from November to April. There’s also a fee of R28 per car plus R20/15 per adult/child to access the car park and picnic site.

Tips

Before or after this hike, Blaauberg Nature Reserve is a great place to have a braai or a picnic. There’s also a small playground and toilets here.
Make sure to also check out the sandy beach – there are great views across the bay to Table Mountain.
In wildflower season (Aug-Sept), there are lots of pretty flowers at the picnic site.
For more wildflowers, visit West Coast National Park a bit further up the coast.
Useful for many hikes, get an offline hiking App such as Organic Maps.
For more hiking ideas, check out our South Africa Hiking Guide.

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Hiking Route

From the car park, cross over the main road, and you’ll see the obvious sandy path on the other side. Head straight along the trail, crossing a slightly overgrown track shortly before reaching a better sandy track. Turn right here.

The track soon bends around the corner – stick to the left – and the trail becomes smaller. It now continues through the fynbos vegetation. When you’re almost at the far point, you’ll see a very short path to a picnic table at the top of a small mound. It’s worth this very short detour for the views over the bay to Table Mountain.

Continue onwards and the path soon curves back around and zigzags a little towards the ocean. Not too far from the road, a small path comes in from the right. Ignore this, and walk onwards along the larger path. You’ll soon be back at the junction near the beginning. Turn left to reach the car park and the end of the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Walk.

Eerste Steen Braai and Picnic Facility

After your walk, take some time to relax at the braai and picnic area. There are quite a few spots, but they can fill up on sunny weekends! The beach is also lovely, with lots of sand and views of both Table Mountain and Robben Island. There’s a toilet block plus a small playground, and in wildflower season there are many flowers.