We all have these photos … throwback photos!

It’s described as ‘nostalgia-inducing pictures … from a different era of your life”.

Every Thursday we will throw a few photos of ‘way back when’ on our blog. Why on a Thursday? Because it’s just a day away from the weekend … and we love weekends!

You are welcome to join in or just enjoy the photos (#TB Thursday).

Table Mountain National Park, Constantia Nek – Western Cape Province (October 2013)

Some of you may remember that in last week’s TB Thursday post we hiked in hot weather to see the Second Waterfall in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. Only … we didn’t see any waterfall. However, this did not discourage us from taking on a very steep hike up Constantia Nek the following weekend. And this time we hoped to see some of Table Mountain’s dams.

As soon as we left the parking area, it was already steep

Constantia Nek is a very popular walking route up the south-east corner of Table Mountain. It starts on the forestry road and then winds its way to the top of the mountain. But don’t be fooled that it will be easy, because the route starts at 210m and will take you to 720m in just 5km. The good news is that the trail will level off once you’re on top of the mountain.

A steady climb at the start

Halfway and lovely views towards Hout Bay and False Bay

The second part of the route is quite challenging and there are some short but very steep sections. I remember Berto saying a couple of times “we’re almost there” and I’m like “we better or I’m going to pass out”!

Steeper and steeper

After reaching the top, we stopped for a while to catch our breath and enjoy the amazing views.

Berto rests while enjoying the views

I put on a brave face after the steep climb

Looking back – around that corner the trail literally drops down into the valley

When we could breathe normally again, we walked towards the dams. We walked past the smallest dam, the De Villiers Dam and then followed the road to the Alexander and Victoria Dams.

Alexander and Victoria Dams

A little bit further down the road, we found the larger Woodhead and Hutchinson Dams. It was nice to walk along each dam wall.

A walk along the dam wall

It was here that we reached the end of the paved path (* although nothing stops you from walking further to the upper cable station). But we decided to turn around here as our car was parked at Constantia Nek. It was also a good time to stop and get out our small hiking stove to make hot cappuccino.

Cappuccino on the trail

After enjoying a sandwich and cappuccino, we walked the same way back down the mountain. On the way back, we walked past an overnight hut and made a note that we might have to stay here one day when we hike one of the longer trails.

Overnight hut

A map close to the overnight hut of the different trails

Although it was a challenge to walk up the mountain, it didn’t mean that it was so easy to walk back down. It’s hard on one’s knees and I think if it’s wet, this can be quite difficult. Lucky for us, it was a sunny day and we arrived safely back at our car.

The last flat section of the route before we walked back down the mountain

Note 1: * In 2014 we walked from the upper cable car station and finished the hike at the bottom of Constantia Nek. You are welcome to read the full hike here.

Note 2: We are going into the wild for the next few days. As soon as we’re back home, I will be active on the blog again.