You don’t always have to trek for hours and sweat like a demon to be rewarded with a great view. There’s a short walk from Muizenberg to St. James that’s easy to do, but also jam packed with eye candy.
The path starts from behind the Muizenberg Railway Station, and if you don’t feel like hopping on the train from Cape Town, there is plenty of parking next to the trailhead and in the parking area around Surfer’s Corner.
Don’t bother to bring along your hiking boots or poles for this one. The pathway is a long concrete sidewalk that borders the sea. You can even manage with small children and a stroller if you want to.
Depending on the time of day, you may have to hurry across the first section in order to escape a brief encounter with the crashing waves of the sea, but all of the excitement only adds to the walk.
Along the way you’ll witness the beauty of False Bay, and feel the fresh sea air blow through your hair, and if you pay attention you can spot a few of the area’s historical sites: passing by Rhodes Cottage, the Posthuys, and the “˜Millionaire’s Mile’.
Near the end of the walkway there is a tidal swimming pool framed with a row of colourful beach-hut change rooms, synonymous with the area. In the summer months this pool is filled with families trying to find a cool escape from the heat of the sun. If it’s a nice hot day, you can bring along your beach towel and take a quick swim before heading back to the trailhead. Or, if you want to make a day of it, you can walk through one of the commuter tunnels towards Main Road and make your way towards Kalk Bay for some food, a relaxing drink, or some shopping.
If you’re concerned with safety, you don’t need to worry too much. The path is fairly safe during the weekdays, and is even safer during the weekends given the steady flow of visitors.
