My two hiking companions this Saturday morning were sons Benjamin and Timothy. We set off from Newlands Forest station at 8.15 and headed up to the contour path.
Dark Gorge is just beyond the Newlands Ravine signpost and picnic deck. There are two streams that cross the contour path at this point, only about 40 metres apart and I was at first uncertain which was the correct one. We started up the second one, which looked more significant, but after studying the map carefully, realized it was Papenboom Ravine. So we backtracked to the first one, and found ourselves behind a party of three and two dogs, on an indistinct but cairned path going up the right hand side, It was thickly forested in the lower reaches, until we came to the fork where Dark Gully (dangerous) splits off to the right.
Here the side walls become steep and tall and the bottom more open. Ben leading the way. For most of the ascent the footing was loose and steep, and you had to take care where you put your feet so as not to slip or dislodge stones.
Tim in the impressive gorge section
Near to the top one enters a small forest and the tree trunks, branches and roots become vital hand hold for pulling oneself up the final steep scramble.
And then you pop out onto the Saddle.
Ben and Tim with the sloping west side of Devil's Peak behind them.
Tea and sandwiches at the top of Newlands Ravine! It took us about 2h15 m to reach this point, and the total time from start to finish 3h45m. Distance 7.4 km with about 700 m of climb.
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