Do you love hiking with your dog? If so, you’ve come to the right place! There are plenty of trails in Cape Town where you can take your dog for a hike on a leash. Whether you’re looking for a hike in the beautiful mountain forests or just want to take in the stunning views across the beautiful Winelands, there’s a trail near you that’s perfect for you and your pup. Here are some of the best dog friendly hiking trails in Cape Town:
Cecilia Waterfall via Cecilia Forest
This 4.3km dog-friendly hiking trail around Cape Town, Western Cape is considered a moderately difficult route. This is one of the area’s most popular hiking and running trails, so chances are you’ll see other hikers and runners on this trail. Dogs are welcome on this trail, and some areas are off-leash. Cecilia Forest forms part of Table Mountain and there are a variety of ways to access the forest. Other routes include Constantia Nek and Newlands Ravine. Find out more about Cecil Forest here. Length: 4.3 km Difficulty: Moderate
Lion’s Head
If you’re looking for a shorter hiking trail around Cape Town with spectacular views of the Atlantic, look no further than Lion’s Head. This dog-friendly hike through the Table Mountain range is open every day of the week for well-behaved dogs on a leash. Access to the trail is free and open 24/7, but it’s best to hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The entire hike takes about 90 minutes and works for most fitness levels. Get more details about the park here. Length: 4.3 km Difficulty: Moderate
Pipe Track from Kloofnek
Kloofnek Pipe Track follows the contours of Table Mountain and is rocky in places, but not steep. The Pipe Track offers excellent views of Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles. The Pipe Track can be turned back at any point, or continue on to Woody Ravine, or even further to Corridor Ravine. The Pipe Track is very popular on weekends. On hot days, the Pipe Track is nice and cool early in the morning as the sun rises in the mid-afternoon. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Get more details about Table Mountain National Park here. Length: 9.5 km Duration: Moderate
Paradyskloof Waterfall
This 5 km hiking trail around Cape Town is one of a number of winding trails that lead to the top of the mountain. It’s generally considered a moderately difficult route and takes about an hour and a half on average. The trail starts quite straightforward; the trail winds through a beautiful pine forest. It then passes through some fynbos before reaching a beautiful area where you can relax at a waterfall. This trail is popular with birders, hikers and trail runners. It is open all year round and beautiful to visit at any time of the year. However, the waterfalls will be more impressive in the wet winter months and may be dry in the summer. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash as the mountain is home to a variety of interesting fauna including leopards and caracals. Klipspringers are also present, as well as baboons, hyraxes and dassies. Get more details about the park here.
- Length: 5 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
Boschendal offers a wide range of hiking, cycling and running trails to suit all types of hiking and running enthusiasts. On the trails, you will be able to enjoy some of the most beautiful farm scenery. You will also be able to take in some stunning views of the valley below. There are 5 km and 10 km running trails to choose from. You can get your running day permits from the Trail Centre. Get more details about the park here. Trail details:
- Length: 5 km or 10 km
- Difficulty: Challenging
From mountain tops to panoramic coastal views, there’s no shortage of beautiful hiking trails around Cape Town where dogs are welcome on leashes. So why not take your dog for a walk in the middle of nature’s beauty? Just make sure you follow the guidelines on each trail, and pack the essentials your dog will need to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Happy hiking. If you are looking for dog-friendly hiking trails in Gauteng, click here.
I would not recommend Cecilia forest with dogs. Please remove it from your listing. Since the poor baboons have been (stupidly) moved to that area it’s been causing a lot of unnecessary conflict between dogs and baboons. It was heartbreaking to see a mamma baboon carrying her dead infant that was attacked by a dog a while back.
Let’s show some compassion and use logic when we go for a hike.
Please support and follow Baboons matters to educate yourselves and see how active the troop is in that area.
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