Things To Do in NewlandsLiesbeek Parkway green corridor
Parks & Gardens Walks & Hiking Southern Suburbs
Where? Liesbeek Parkway green corridor, Newlands / Kirstenbosch / Bishopscourt
When? Daylight hours.
How much? Free
Overnight? Stay at accommodation in Newlands, in Western Cape
One virtually has to be a member of the Friends of the Liesbeek to be aware of this hidden gem of Cape Town. Unbeknownst to them, Capetonians can actually spend time strolling along the trail that lies along the 8 km Liesbeek River starting up near Kirstenbosch.
Sometimes spelt Liesbeeck, the river starts somewhere up on Table Mountain above Kirstenbosch and is regarded as the oldest urbanised river valley in South Africa. It then flows via Bishopscourt into Newlands, and then on to Rosebank, Mowbray and Obs where it joins with the Black River. The Two Rivers Urban Park is on land here between the Liesbeek and Black rivers. The Liesbeek finally empties into Table Bay at Paarden Island.
Part, or almost all of this walk, is trailed and follows from Kirstenbosch down through Fernwood (Newlands) where there is a paved path for prams and on the opposite side of the bank is Bishopscourt Village Park, popular for picnics.
At Paradise Road intersection there is a children's playground and all along here one can ride a bike or push a pram until the path peters out on Buckburn Road. A little further along the path takes up again, this time more applicable for walkers, on the other side of Sans Souci Bridge close to the Newlands Swimming Pool. The path runs until Dean Street Bridge.
The river now heads under Main Road but you can pick up it up again past Josephine Mill, along which there are benches. Continue with the path past Albion Spring and cross Rouwkoop Road and over a bridge, through Roslyn Park, where there are further benches and a grassy area.
You can persevere on to the interesection with Alma Road, where there is a path again and some lawns.
