Myburgh's Waterfall Ravine

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Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Disa uniflora is the scientific name for the more commonly named “red disa” or “Pride of Table Mountain.” It forms part of the orchid family. It is pollinated by the mountain pride butterfly which is very strongly attracted to the color red. The best places to see the Disa on Table Mountain are in the perenial streams or permanently damp areas. Thus the Aquaduct, Window Gorge, and Myburghs Waterall offer some of the best viewing. These disas flower in mid summer from late January to mid February. This is the reason for our trek up Myburgh’s waterfall ravine, every year.

Drive down Valley Road in Hout Bay and turn off into Garron Ave. Wind your way up the mountain to Farriers Way and park at the end of the road were you'll find the start of the foot path. After a few meters, you'll come across a gate and a sign with a number to call for the access code, which is (021) 7907901. The path continues till you reach the contour path. Going left will take you to Suikerbossie restaurant. So if you turn right, you'll come across the Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine Path.

Follow the path for a few hundred meters. There will be a faint path turning right, into the ravine. Ignore this path and rather turn left towards a easy rock scramble. A few hundred meters further there will be another path veering off to the right into the ravine. You can take this one but if you miss it, there will be a third one a little further up.

Once you have entered the ravine, scramble and boulder hop for a further few hundred meters. Here, during the right season, you'll come across the first band of gorgeous Disas.

After stopping for some photos, continue up the ravine. The ravine will now become quite narrow and canyon like with steep rock walls on either side.

Upon reaching ‘Africa’ rock (a huge boulder in the middle of the ravine resembling Africa), you know that you have to look out for the waterfall a short distance ahead.

If it is at all wet, do not attempt to climb up the waterfall. Take the path to the right and scramble up a bit of a tricky and steep bypass path.

Either you can reroute back or this path will lead you to the plateau on top of the mountain between Judas Peak and Grootkop. From here you can continue and meet up with the Twelve Apostle path and descend via Llandudno ravine. If you turn right onto the Twelve Apostle path, you'll reach McClears beacon and can choose any path to descend on. It is also fun to make a small detour and climb to the top of Judas Peak. Judas Peak is on your left as you exit the ravine.

Mosty red disa unifloras during January to March.