6 coastal walks in the Western Cape with breathtaking views
The Western Cape isn't short on drama when it comes to scenery. Jagged cliffs, turquoise waves, and mountain backdrops combine for some of the most spectacular coastal walks in South Africa.
From Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay, the scenery along those walks is something you'll never forget!
So, whether you're chasing solitude, sea spray, or the perfect Instagram shot, here are six unmissable walks where the views do all the talking…
Distance: 6.5km return
Duration: 2–3 hours
This is not the drive – it's the hike above it. The Chapman's Peak Trail is lesser-known but punches well above its weight in beauty. The path climbs steadily through fynbos-covered slopes to a summit with panoramic views over Hout Bay, the Atlantic, and the winding road below. Sunset here? Unbeatable. Robberg Nature Reserve. Image: canva
Distance: 2km (short loop) to 9.2km (point-to-point full loop)
Duration: 30 minutes to 4 hours
This rugged peninsula trail is a showstopper. Sheer cliffs, seal colonies, prehistoric caves, and turquoise coves come one after the other. The full loop is a challenge, with scrambles and steep climbs, but the raw beauty and crashing surf along this coastal walk make it worth every step.
Distance: 8km return
Duration: 2.5–3 hours
Often overlooked, this walk through the Kogelberg Biosphere combines indigenous forest, waterfalls, and crashing surf. The trail skirts cliffs and tidal pools, and offers regular sightings of dassies, seabirds, and even whales during season. It's peaceful, raw, and unforgettable! Cape Point lighthouse walk. Image: canva
Distance: 2km return
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Short, steep, and scenic, this coastal walk leads up to the old Cape Point lighthouse with uninterrupted views over two oceans. It's a tourist hotspot, yes – but with good reason. For a quieter option, take the less-travelled Lighthouse Keeper's Trail that hugs the cliffs below.
Distance: Around 5.5km return
Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Urban but iconic, the Sea Point Promenade is a flat, easy coastal walk with nonstop views of the Atlantic Ocean, Signal Hill, and Lion's Head. Walkers, runners, dogs, and cyclists share this stretch, and there's public art, coffee stops, and even outdoor gyms along the way. Sunsets here are next level. De Hoop Whale Trail. Image: canva
Distance: Around 5km (from Potberg to Cupidoskraal section)
Duration: 1.5–2 hours
The full Whale Trail is a five-day trek, but even the first section gives you a taste of its wild beauty. Walk through renosterveld and coastal cliffs with the sound of surf in your ears. From June to November, expect whale sightings galore. Booking is essential for the full trail, but day hikes are possible with a permit.
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