Slangolie Ravine
THIS ROUTE IS UNSAFE AND IS NOT GENERALLY RECOMMENDED. There is a sign at the bottom and one at the top alerting hikers that the ascent and/or descent is Dangerous.
It is described here in Mountain Meanders purely as a warning because it is obvious that some people are doing this route in spite of the Danger signage.
Slangolie Ravine is unstable and can be a dangerous place. It is still subject to frequent rockfalls and land slippages, especially during winter rains. Only small groups (recommend no more than 4) of experienced and sure footed mountaineers should attempt this route, and it is imperative for safety that the members of the party stick close together to be able to get out of the way if a loose rock is dislodged by the person ahead. DO NOT DO THIS RAVINE AFTER RECENT RAINFALL. The white slash in the aerial picture above shows the scarred ravine after heavy rain and recent rockfall.
Location: Starts off the Pipe track and may be accessed from Kloof Nek, or from Theresa avenue, Rontree estate, Camps Bay.
Overview: The first half of the ravine above the contour path is steep and loose underfoot, with unstable gravel and many loose boulders on the rock screes.
Route Description:
Start in the streambed off the Pipe Track/Contour path where it crosses the ravine before it ascends through trees to the Slangolie Cave.
The river bed is followed for a short way, then move out right and continue up rocky ledges and stone scree until level with the shoulder of Woodhead buttress on the left hand side of the ravine. Cross the ravine if you want to view the remains of the old tunnel exit, then proceed back diagonally and aim for the right hand side of the head of the ravine where a short steep section enables you to climb into the Indigenous forest. From the built up platform in the trees, ascend next to the right hand rock wall until leaving the trees. From here a steep sandy path cuts through grass and bushes to end at the warning sign in the notch on the Back Table path above the 'Slangolie Cutback' that goes down to Orange Kloof.
