The Whale route

• Whale Route from Gordon’s Bay via scenic Clarence Drive to Hermanus

Once you taken the R44 south from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond, you are at the start of the Whale Route and one the most beautiful scenic drives in the Western Cape, called Clarence Drive. It will bring you along the magnificent Hottentots Hollands Mountains on one side and the ocean coming ashore in False Bay.

There are plenty of parking spots on the road which makes this tour much safer compared with Chapman’s Peak to give you photo opportunities. You can be lucky spotting whales (in the season) but especially the dolphins who seems to reside in Gordon’s Bay, can give you unforgettable moments to enjoy while they play in the waves. After your start from Gordon’s Bay, you will see the entrance of Crystal Pools just after Sunbird / Pitstop Lodge.

• Crystal Pools, dip in the pool with water falls at the Steenbras River Walk

Always wanted to discover a pool with a natural waterfall? Hike to Crystal Pools also known as Steenbras River Walk and after about 45 minutes you will find the first pool. Next ones are about 15 minutes further.

Permits (R70) are required to enter the trails which are closed from May to the end of October due to winter flooding. You can arrange permits (day ahead) by emailing: [email protected]

Crystal Pools is part of the Steenbras Nature Reserve, which is a part of the of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve Find more information at Show Me Helderberg

Watch the video, thanks to Adam Mitchell:

•  Dappat se Gat, a sandy beach like on post cards

Your next stop is at Dappat se Gat. About 10 minutes driving after Steenbras River Walk, you will come at Dappat se Gat.

At Dappat se Gat you will find a sandy beach which you can only spot in movies. The ocean waves have come a long way to swell before they crush on the beach here. You can watch surfers here on a daily basis. Don’t let this beauty tempt you to take a swim, there is a dangerous rip tide! There is an official entrance for visitors of the camping place but at the parking place right along the road at the sign for ‘Dappat se Gat’ (look for the shark flag), there is a path directly down to the beach. You might spot whales or dolphins!

• Sparks Bay Tidal Pool on Clarence Drive

Sparks Bay resort sits as a coastal haven for travellers and leisure seekers.

According to the City of Cape Town this pool is “known as one of the country’s best and most tranquil whale-watching and braai spots”. It’s located on Clarence Drive in Gordon’s Bay, and you can stop over at the nearby Spark’s Bay Beach where you can braai, picnic, and fish. There is an entrance fee.

Opposite Sparks Bay Tidal Pool, you will see the entrance for the Klipspringer Trail (Steenbras Nature Reserve).

• Penguins spotting at Stoney Point in Betty’s Bay

After you went up the hill at Rooi Els you will pass Pringle Bay. Pringle Bay is a small village with some nice restaurants and beautiful views over the ocean. The entrance for Hangklip/Brodie Link Trail is also here. A strenuous walk to the top of hangklip should take you around 1 hour. Reward is uninterrupted views of Cape point. Hangklip trail is part of CapeNature Reserves.  CapeNature is a public institution with the statutory responsibility for biodiversity conservation in the Western Cape.

Your next stop is Betty’s Bay for the penguins. Cute little creatures but endangered.

 The African penguin, also known as the jackass penguin and black-footed penguin is fighting for existence since industrial fishing started around the Cape. You can see the penguins in Stony Point (also CapeNature) via the boardwalk from close. Compared with Boulders Beach (Simons Town), which is very pretty but touristy whereas Stony Point is a much more natural setting. Guests experience is that there were a lot more penguins at Betty’s bay and it was full of penguin activity with lot of penguins nursing their babies in the nests. It is also more of an experience to walk between them on the board walk. The experience also counts for the smell ? Time to move on, there is sill a lot to see!

• Harold Porter Botanical Garden in Kleinmond, discover the Leopard Walk

The Harold Porter Botanical Garden is owned by SANBI, the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Almost in the heart of the Kogelberg Reserve, this lovely garden full with coastal fynbos where the flora is at its richest. It encompasses mountain slopes with wind-clipped heathlands, deep gorges with relict forests, flats and marshes with restios, sedges and bulbs, as well as dunes adjacent to the beach with specialised salt-adapted plants. The Garden is renowned for its waterfalls and amber pools. They have a modest restaurant where you can have coffee or lunch.

Experience the Leopards Kloof Trail, Leopard’s kloof trail is special. The final waterfall is a photo moment in the making. Read this blog about Leopard’s and other trails in Harold Porter to get in the mood. Harold Porter is also reasonably priced at almost half the Kirstenbosch rate.

You are close to Kleinmond but there is one more place that deserves to be nominated.

• Palmiet River Hike and swim in the pools

Between Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond you will see the sign for another entrance of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve for the Palmiet River, Kogelberg and Oudebosch to Harold Porter Trails. Follow a (paved) jeep trail to Kogelberg Oudebosch Reception where you can buy tickets for the Palmiet River Trail. This four hour walk is one that should not be missed. The trail follows the river where swimming is possible in some of the first few pools.

The incredible scenery and floral wonders make this four hour walk very worthwhile, and you will possibly come back and do it again. Find additional information here.

• Kleinmond and Hermanus

This little village Kleinmond is your last stop before Hermanus. You will see a sign harbour road once you are in Kleinmond. They even have their own website for this cosy part of Kleinmond where you will find fine restaurants and little shops.

After Kleinmond, you just follow the Whale Route / R44. A little further is the famous Arabella Golf Estate, with a wide range of five-star amenities. An award winning spa and their signature golf course is ranked in the top 10 in all of South Africa.

At the intersection, you can turn right to Hermanus and on to Gansbaai famous for shark cage diving and whale viewing cruises. Just Google Hermanus or Gansbaai and you will find all relevant information.

• Elgin Valley

You can also turn left, back to Gordon’s Bay over the N2 over Botrivier in the direction of  Grabouw. This route will bring you over the Houwhoek Pass through a part of Elgin Valley.

Elgin Valley falls into the UNESCO protected Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and is very much geared for life in the outdoors. There are private game reserves, incredible hikes, birding, mountain bike routes, bass and trout fishing, kloofing, fly-fishing – the list of tours, trails and things to do is endless. The Elgin Valley, which is part of the Four Passes Fruit Route, is famous for its cool-climate wines, fruit trees and roses.

• Sir Lowry’s Pass / Steenbras Lookout Point

Just when you pass Grabouw you will come at the Sir Lowry’s Pass which brings you down to our guest house and Gordon’s Bay. Just before you go down (after signs Steenbras Dam) there is a viewing point with marvellous views over False Bay.