Red Hill

Red Hill

Everyone in Cape Town knows Red Hill up above Simon's Town. Actually, it begins its ascent just outside Simon's Town, but nonetheless, it is a popular and well known route, driven not least because of the grave of Nonsense, the famous Great Dane adopted as a navy mascot during WWII, lies just off the road, but also for the numerous attractions along here, like the Cape Farmhouse and Good Hope Nursery (strictly speaking the nursery lies off the road en route to Cape Point).

But what most people do not realise is that Red Hill qualifies as one of the myriad mountain passes in the Western Cape, linking Simon's Town to Scarborough and Misty Cliffs. Red Hill also serves as one of the climbs on the Peninsula Marathon and is a great viewing area from which to look down over the Navy headquarters in the harbour. On a clear day these are some of the best views of Simon's Town.

Up at the top of the pass take the time to study the group of stone ruins, all that is left of Redhill Village, from which people were relocated during the Group Areas act in 1968. Former residents are in the process of a battle with government to reclaim their land. Also up here on the crest of the hill is beautiful Kleinplaas Dam. Take a walk through and around the dam, there is some incredible scenery. It is popular with locals and their dogs.

Make a day of the drive by including Boulders beach and the penguins, Red Hill and on to Scarborough and Misty Cliffs, stopping for lunch at the Cape Farmhouse, a vist to Cape Point Nature Reserve (although you could easily spend the day here alone), and tea and a bit of buying pleasure at the Good Hope Nursery.