Liesbeek River Trail
The trail starts at Kirstenbosch and winds along the banks of the River. The Liesbeek River is less than 9 kilometers long. It is in the oldest urbanized river valley in South Africa. This river flows from the eastern slopes of Table Mountain above Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Join the dog-friendly trail near the PPC cricket stadium or at the Kirstenbosch side on Rhodes Avenue. It ends at Josephine Mill in Newlands. The Liesbeek River (also spelled Liesbeeck) was the first river in Cape Town named by Jan van Riebeeck. “Beek” is Dutch for stream and “lies” is a reed.
Route
From the lawns, cross Rhodes Drive to the Church of the Good Shepherd on the corner of Kirstenbosch Drive. Turn down Kirstenbosch Drive. Then turn right up Winchester Drive. Pass the Boschenheuvel Arboretum and then follow a little footpath along its edge to the Newlands Stream. At the bottom of the arboretum cross the road at the bridge and rejoin the stream and path at Riverside Road. Continue till you reach the Upper Liesbeek River Garden. The route then intersects with Paradise Road/Edinburgh Drive. Cross at the pedestrian crossing over Edinburgh Drive. Then cross Paradise Road and rejoin the path below the bridge. The Hiddingh Stream flows to join the Liesbeek here. The path takes a right and joins Bucksburn Road. The next 1.5 km is away from the river bank. Follow Bucksburn into Lothian and then Colinton. Take a left into Kildare Road at the bottom of Colinton. Turn right into Sans Souci Road. Now you will again cross the Liesbeek River. Just after crossing, you rejoin the banks of the river behind the Newlands swimming pool. This path accompanies the river to Main Road, Newlands. You can cross at the Spur. You now cross the river again over the Westervoort. Follow the path under the road bridge on the far side of Boundary Road and continue along Boundary Road as it winds gently to Josephine Mill, Return the way you came, or call an Uber to get back to your car at Kirstenbosch.
Important numbers to have when visiting Table Mountain National Park venues
- Emergencies:021 480 7700
- Medical emergencies from a cellphone:112
- Table Mountain National Park: 021 957 4700/ 0861 106 417
- Wilderness Search and Rescue: 021 948 9900
