Kalk Bay to Boomslang Cave Hike

About Kalk Bay to Boomslang Cave Hike

Start: Echo Valley sign
Finish: Echo Valley sign
Duration: 4 km, roughly 2 hours (but allow for stops and cave exploration)
Fitness: easy
Our tip: if you are claustrophic, then the caves aren't for you – but the hike is still worth it for the views

Boomslang Cave lies up above Kalk Bay, a relatively easy cave to access, and a great cave for novice caving if you have not done any before, as the cave tunnels right through the mountain.

It is also a fairly popular cave because of this. The bonus is that the round trip is perfect for children and a great day out for families in Cape Town.

There are two 'entrances' to the cave. Cavers regard the one that faces Fish Hoek as the entrance, and the southern entrance that faces Echo Valley as the exit. But it doesn't actually matter which side you enter from.

Boomslang cave functions as an entrance to White Dome Grotto, which is actually just another part of the same cave. A very narrow, not easily navigated, passage links the two.

To reach Boomslang Cave take the train to Kalk Bay Station and climb up to Boyes Drive to the sign indicating Echo Valley. This is the start of the trail that is not difficult to follow all the way to Boomslang Cave.

Remember to pack a flashlight or headlamp and long pants are preferable as you do a fair amount of crawling.

Parts of the cave get about 30 cm of water during winter so, if getting your feet wet is not your idea of fun, this is best done during the summer months. The main passage of the cave boasts a rock formation know as The Pulpit and it shares the cave with a colony of bats. They need their beauty sleep and can actually come to harm if you make too much noise or shine your lights on them.

If you can manage to switch off all torches and keep silent you will experience the cave as it is without people in it and will hear the squeaking of the bats. Look out for the lichen that lines the walls and ceiling

ps: adding your name to the graffiti only contributes to further desecration of a natural site.