Antoniesgat Trail

About Antoniesgat Trail

Start: Turning circle just south of Buffels Bay Beach (Cape Point Nature Reserve), Cape Town
Finish: Buffels Bay Beach
Duration: 3.5 km, roughly 2 hours (depending on the fitness of the group and how often you stop)
Fitness: moderate
Our tip: remember sun hats and sunscreen; bear in mind that the south easter can really blow in the reserve

This there-and-back hike follows the False Bay coastline from the turning circle of Buffels Bay beach in the Cape Point National Park reserve.

Antoniesgat Trail is one of nine trails within the reserve.

Buffels Bay, whilst a firm favourite braai spot for families during the summer months, is one of the more beautiful and desolate beaches of Cape Town protected by Cape Point Nature Reserve. As such it is wilder than the more popular swimming beaches closer to the city bowl.

Antoniesgat is one of several caves on the Cape peninsula formed by the consistent pounding of waves against the headland. It is particularly beautiful and ridden with rather mysterious tunnels just asking to be explored. Head into the space and fall still. The silence inspires.

But it is not the destination that is all important on this hike. Rather it is the exceptional views en route that will bring your feet to a standstill – views out over False Bay, the Hottentots Holland Mountains just across the sea, Vasco da Gama peak and the cape Point lighthouse.

It is not a difficult hike but you might find it takes longer than anticipated simply because you keep stopping to digest the views. Think of it as a really great way to experience Cape Point Nature Reserve.