Cape Point nature reserve is a sight not to be missed. First named "Cape of Storms" by early seafarers the reserve now boasts excellent tourist facilities.
Whether your preference is for a hearty meal at the restaurant or a brisk walk to the top of the 678 metre high peak. For the less energetic the only funicular in Africa will whisk you to the top in style.
Who knows, you may even spot the legendary 17th century ship "The Flying Dutchman", which disappeared mysteriously while trying to round the Cape, and is reportedly sometimes still seen trying on a misty night.
The town of Hout Bay and nearby Llandudno, lying on the opposite side of the peninsula from Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay, are fashionable addresses for the more wealthy. From Simonstown and Cape Point they can be reached by passing the never-ending stretch of sand, popular with surfers and not surprisingly known as Long Beach. Some of the surf spots that have achieved international renown are Outer Kom (200 metres off the lighthouse) with waves up to five metres and Sunset Reef (approximately a kilometre of Long Beach) where waves of eight metres have been ridden.
Not far from the beach Chapmans Peak Drive winds its way around the mountain, the road was cut into the mountainside by Italian prisoners of war during WW2 and remains a miracle of civil engineering. An almost vertical drop, hundreds of metres to the waves crashing onto the rocks below provide an unbeatable backdrop for a bottle of chilled Cape wine, enjoyed at one of the many view points while watching the sun sink below the horizon.
The famous flat topped mountain, symbol of Cape Town and welcome sight to seafarers in years gone by, visible from 200 km out to sea on a clear day is probably the most popular stop for visitors to the Cape. Although looking out from its summit over the modern city 1087m below, it is hard to imagine that as recently as 30 000 years ago it was part of an island off the mainland of Africa.
Although there are numerous hiking trails to the top of the mountain, for the less energetic, the revolving cable cars are a less strenuous way of making the ascent. A restaurant and gift shop are available at the upper cable station and there are over two kilometres of paths and numerous view sites. The weather is unpredictable on the mountain and can turn cold very quickly, so take adequate warm clothing, no matter how warm the day. The cable car operates from 06h00 to 23h00 daily (weather permitting).
