What started out as a crazy idea in preparation for trail running, has become the cure for Monday morning blues. What is it, you ask? A hike to start the week off right, first thing on a Monday. 10 weeks in, I’m more energised and my body clock has reset. I'm now a member of the 5am club, waking up without an alarm, even on weekends, and absolutely love it!
The best part is that we do a different trail every week and get to witness the most beautiful sunrises. We usually start around 6:30 am and aim to do about a two-hour hike. When we’ve completed our hike, there’s enough time for a shower and breakfast before we start our workday. The sense of accomplishment also adds to a more productive day.
Week 1 (4 Jan) We (my friend Shaheema and I) did the Pipe Track (10kms). It is a relatively flat trail along the lower part of Table Mountain in the direction of the 12 Apostles.
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Pipe Track has the most stunning views of Lions Head and Camps Bay. |
Week 2 (12 Jan) we did Kloof Corner (6.3kms). The 12th was a Tuesday. Shaheema woke up feeling dizzy on the Monday and we decided to go the next day. It was the first time I did this trail and I was pleasantly surprised. If you are travelling up Tafelberg Road, as you come around the second bend, the trail is just off to the right. With a staircase which reminds me of Platteklip, you look over the City Bowl as you ascend and you have views of Lions Head and Signal Hill to one side, the 12 Apostles and Camps Bay to the other and of course incredible views of Table Mountain. Once you get to the top of the stairs, you take the path to the left, which is parallel to Tafelberg Road, except it is about one third of the way up Table Mountain. From this path, you can access India Venster and Platteklip Gorge.
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The Table and the 12 Apostles |
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Can you see Wally's Cave on the side of Lions Head? |
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Shaheema with the 12 Apostles in the background |
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The view of Lions Head and Signal Hill |
Week 3 (18 Jan) we did the Cecilia Forest trail to Kirstenbosch and back (5.3kms). This trail is always a treat because of the amazing indigenous flowers and plants. This area has the most concentrated amount of Silverleaf trees (an endangered plant species) and it is a protected tree in South Africa. We walked around Silvertree Avenue in Kirstenbosch and saw the most gorgeous pincushions as well as the Cape Sugarbirds drinking the nectar of some flowers.
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Watching the sunrise |
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Monday morning hikes mean there's less people on the trails :) |
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On Silvertree Avenue |
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Gorgeous pincushions |
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The view of Kirstenbosch irrigation dam |
Week 4 (25 Jan) we did the Cecilia Forest contour path to the Lower Constantia Nek and back (almost 6kms). Being out in nature that early just energises your soul. We are burning calories and having fun.
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Another week, another sunrise |
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Such incredible views |
Week 5 (1 Feb) we recruited another willing participant, Joy, to join us. We did the jeep track up Constantia Nek to the Alexandra Dam (9.3kms). We grossly underestimated how long this hike would take and we were still enjoying our fruit cups on the mountain at 8:30am. It was a fast scramble down the staircase route and we made it down at 9:30am, just in time for my first meeting of the day.
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It was a bit overcast but you could see the sun peeking through |
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The view of the Southern Suburbs |
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So green |
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Shaheema |
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Joy |
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Enjoying the view |
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An empty De Villiers Dam |
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Alexandra Dam |
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Breakfast with a view |
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It's all downhill from here |
Week 6 (8 Feb) Joy and I did the Cecilia Forest trail to Kirstenbosch and back (5kms).
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A view that never gets old |
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Sugarbushes |
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Views for days |
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Pincushions |
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Joy exploring the Gardens |
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A Cape Sugarbird |
Week 7 (15 Feb) Shaheema and I did Lions Head (5kms). On our way up we encountered a group of women coming down with yoga mats. They hike up on a Monday before sunrise and do yoga at the top of Lions Head.
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Another beautiful sunrise |
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The sun lighting up the bowl |
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The majestic Table Mountain and Devils Peak |
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We made it :) |
Week 8 (22 Feb) The three of us did Kloof Corner (6kms). It was Joy’s first time doing this trail and she also shared that she sometimes has a fear of heights.
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Clearly sunrises are my thing :) |
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The sun lighting up the Lion |
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The cablecar on its way up |
Week 9 (1 March) The three of us did Lions Head (7kms). Again encountering the yoga group. It was Joy’s first time doing Lions Head and she did amazingly well – she conquered her fear of heights.
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My favourite time of the day |
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You can see the shadow of the Lions Head in the clouds |
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Smiles all around |
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The Atlantic Seaboard below |
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Some cloud porn |
Week 10 (8 March) – I walked 5kms with Waleed and Kygo from Roman Beach in Arniston, pass Otter Beach to Struispunt beacon and back.
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On Otter Beach |
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Vit Sea |
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A black oystercatcher |
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What blue Mondays should look like |
Week 11 (15 March) – TBC
If you are keen to join us, pop me a comment below.
"The antidote to exhaustion isn't rest. It's nature." - Shikoba
Love this! Looks absolutely majestic and a sure cure for Monday blues!!
ReplyDeleteLoved every moment of our adventures. Reminds me of Asterix and Obelix adventures... Now I revealed my childhood comic book phase lol.
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