The Cape Point Nature Reserve offers walks short and long - and one of the best is the pleasant trail that connects the Cape Point promontory with the Cape of Good Hope promontory - via the spectacular Dias Beach.
The beach is named after Bartolomeu Dias, the great Portuguese explorer, who rounded the Cape in the late-15th century. It’s easily spotted on the walk up to the Cape Point lighthouse - and instantly conjures fantasies of deserted tropical islands, because of its dramatic beauty and mysterious seclusion.
And it really is secluded: if you walk down to it, you’re likely to have the whole beach to yourself, and can play and picnic to your heart’s delight.
The best place to start the hike is the parking lot at the Cape of Good Hope:
From there, a well-maintained trail - sometimes over rocks, sometimes over boardwalk - winds across the fynbos, with Cape Point as its ultimate desination:
Look out for the reserve’s various fauna as you meander along - especially ostrich:
About halfway along the trail, you’ll come to a steep wooden stairway that will take you down to the beach. The stairway is slightly more precarious than the upper trail - watch your step:
At the bottom of the steps, there’s a sign with very good advice: don’t swim in the cold Atlantic waters off Dias Beach, because the undertow is positively man-eating. It’s OK to wade in up to your shins, though - but carefully!
All told, the walk takes about an hour, round trip from the Cape of Good Hope, and two and a half hours if you walk to Cape Point and back (not including time spent frolicking on the beach). Here’s a good view of the trail in full:
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