The hike begins with a beautiful walk through Kirstenbosch, surrounded by exotic plants and trees, many of which are labelled with information about their species and history. The shady canopy provides shelter for much of the climb, while the sound of a flowing stream accompanies you along the way.

The ascent through Skeleton Gorge is where the adventure really begins. The trail winds through the gorge, climbing over and around large boulders, with plenty of obstacles to navigate. Along the way, you'll encounter three ladders and a small stream crossing. Surrounded by dense greenery and the sound of flowing water, the climb feels adventurous without being overly technical.

The trail continues towards Hely-Hutchinson Dam, situated approximately 930 metres above sea level, with its striking white sandy shoreline. From there, we headed towards the cliff face, where we were rewarded with incredible views overlooking Cape Town.

We decided to make it a two-for-one adventure by descending via the beautiful Nursery Ravine, offering a completely different experience on the way back. The descent follows a series of steep steps through the natural beauty of the mountain, leading all the way back towards Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

In total, the hike covers approximately 12km, or around 17,285 steps. It's certainly a workout, and your legs may ask for a few breaks along the way! But that's all part of the experience, with shady greenery, a beautiful gorge, flowing water and incredible views waiting to be enjoyed.