Main road South Peninsula

Main road South Peninsula

From Lakeside to Cape Point and return on the Atlantic Seaboard route

If you would like to explore the South Peninsula, you could consider driving. There are shuttles and tours, both group tours and individual tours are catered for. Plan the trip in parts.

You can plan a combination of transport. Possibly catch a train to Simons Town, visiting the small villages on the way and hopping back on the train to go to the next village. Meet an Uber or tour in Simons Town to visit Cape Point or return to town the same way.

You can opt to do the complete circular route or just parts of it. The Metro rail runs from the city to Simons Town. From Muizenberg, it is possible to hop on and hop off the train, enjoying the Southern Peninsula scenery while you ride. The train follows the shore, so if you have a window seat on the left of the train, you can get some great views.

Allow plenty of time, as there is such a lot to see and do along this route.

To get there by car, take the N2 from Cape Town’s city centre. When you get to Hospital bend, move into a right-hand lane and take the M3 to Muizenberg. Pass Mostert’s Mill on your left, the and University of Cape Town on the slopes of Devil’s Peak on your right. The Rhodes Memorial exit is about 1.5 km past the Mill on your left.

After passing Rhodes Memorial, return to the M3 and continue towards Muizenberg. The M3 ends in a T-junction at Westlake. Turn left onto the M42 and continue towards Main Road (M4), Turn right.

Main road South Peninsula

You can continue on Main Road towards Muizenberg, or about 600 metres later, turn right off Main Road up Boyes Drive. The views from up here are beautiful, and if there are whales in the bay (August through to November) this is a good place to view them.

Continue to the end of Boyes Drive where it curves to the left down to Main Road, Kalk Bay 

Kalk Bay is a quaint village. But parking is a challenge. Main Road has only one lane in each direction. Traffic can get quite congested, but slow down, enjoy the views and the vibe, stop for a stroll, explore the bookshops, antique and clothing stores or get a coffee/meal ( if you can find parking, this usually just calls for patience.

The next suburb is St James with its small but safe beach and tidal pool. After that, pass Clovelly and on to Fishhoek. The main road here is lined with regular shops, banks, supermarkets and pharmacies. The beach is, however, lovely and great for a swim or a long walk.

There is a traffic circle where Main road continues after taking the first exit, ie, the road curves to the left. You will be driving along the coast past Sunnycove station, then on to Glencairn and Simon’s Town. There is so much to see and do in Simon’s Town. When you have seen all you want to see, carry on on the Main road following the coast.

After you leave Simon’s Town, you will get to Bellevue Road (it is the second penguins signpost). Park at the bottom of the road. You find Boulders Beach, where you may want to stop and visit the penguins.

The road continues along the coast with fabulous views all the way. You will reach Miller’s point, where there is a tidal pool. Stay on the road till you see signs for Smitswinkel.

At Smitswinkel Bay, the road begins to climb the mountain and turns inland. Your first left is the entrance to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.  The road curves to the right away from the coast on the M4. Soon you will reach the turn-off to the Cape Point Nature Reserve.

The return journey can be the same way you came, or you can take the left o fork onto Plateau Road. When you get to The Cape Farmhouse, turn left onto Red Hill Road. Drive on to Scarborough past Misty Cliffs and on to Kommetjie.

At the M6 intersection, turn left and left again onto Noorhoek Main Road. Follow the signs to Chapman’s Peak past Noordhoek Farm Village. Stop here for a meal or some shopping. Take in the views of the Atlantic. At the bottom of the drive, go on to Hout Bay. Turn Left onto Princess Street and right onto Victoria Avenue, and up Suikerbossie Hill.

Drive uphill on Victoria Avenue on the slopes of Little Lions Head over Hout Bay Nek. Drive past Llandudno, Bakoven, Camps Bay and Clifton, on past Sea Point, Green Point and back to the city

 

 

 

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