Constantiaberg West Ridge

See also Constantia North West Ridge. This is the same route, but with a different start.

A pleasant alternative to climbing Constantiaberg from the Silvermine Reserve or Tokai Plantation side.

This hike can be done as a circular route starting from the East Fort parking area beyond Hout Bay on the Chapman's Peak drive and returning via Blackburn Ravine.

The ascent from the East Fort takes the path up to the Manganese mine diggings. From the high point at the largest excavation, head up the slope of the West Ridge. There is no path and only occasional cairns (beacons) if any. Try to aim for a low cliff which has a fascinating series of cracks and passages to explore. This rock band is usually bypassed to the right. Continue until on a minor summit with an old Trig beacon (if still there) and bits of a fence. Descend and cross to the back of the main peak and the Elephant's Bum cave. Then walk round to the right on a faint path which intersects the track to the Constantiaberg summit. Descend and a short way along the fence around the big tower is the South path that descends to the head of Blackburn Ravine and the Invisible Bench. (So named as the nice wooden structure was burnt in the last big fire)