Steenbras River Gorge
Steenbras Upper and Lower dams at the top of Sir Lowry's Pass with False Bay and the Strand visible down below. Image: Jean Tresfon

Home » Steenbras Nature Reserve and Gorge hike closed until further notice

Steenbras Nature Reserve and Gorge hike closed until further notice

The City of Cape Town says staff have not been able to access the Steenbras Nature Reserve following widespread flooding recently.

28-09-23 16:25
Steenbras River Gorge
Steenbras Upper and Lower dams at the top of Sir Lowry's Pass with False Bay and the Strand visible down below. Image: Jean Tresfon

The Steenbras Nature Reserve and Gorge hike in the City of Cape Town are closed to the public until further notice. 

This comes as adverse weather conditions including widespread flooding wreaked havoc over the long weekend and the damage at the reserve is reportedly still being assessed. 

Furthermore, the Clarens Drive access route to the reserve is also closed. 

STEENBRAS NATURE RESERVE IN CAPE TOWN CLOSED 

The municipality said the storm over the long weekend resulted in severe flooding of the Steenbras Nature Reserve and along Clarence Drive near Gordon’s Bay.

As such, bookings for the popular Steenbras Gorge hike will not be accepted and that the reserve will remain closed to the public until the City of Cape Town has completed an assessment of the damage to the reserve and hiking trails.

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City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews said they normally open bookings for the Steenbras Gorge hike on 1 October 2023. 

“Unfortunately, we have to delay bookings this year due to flooding and damage to the hiking trail. Our reserve staff have not been able to access the gorge as yet to assess the extent of the damage and the time it will take to do repairs. 

“Access to the start of the hiking trail is also impossible, given the closure of Clarence Drive due to storm damage and flooding. We will inform the public once we know more,” Andrews said.

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