I found the cure for Monday morning blues…

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. 

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. 

The Table and the 12 Apostles

Can you see Wally's Cave on the side of Lions Head?

Shaheema with the 12 Apostles in the background

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.

Watching the sunrise

Monday morning hikes mean there's less people on the trails :)

On Silvertree Avenue

Gorgeous pincushions

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.

Another week, another sunrise

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. 

It was a bit overcast but you could see the sun peeking through

The view of the Southern Suburbs

So green

Shaheema

Joy

Enjoying the view

An empty De Villiers Dam

Alexandra Dam

Breakfast with a view

It's all downhill from here

Week 6 (8 Feb) Joy and I did the Cecilia Forest trail to Kirstenbosch and back (5kms). 

A view that never gets old

Sugarbushes

Views for days

Pincushions

Joy exploring the Gardens

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. 

Another beautiful sunrise

The sun lighting up the bowl

The majestic Table Mountain and Devils Peak

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. 

Clearly sunrises are my thing :)

The sun lighting up the Lion

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.  

My favourite time of the day

You can see the shadow of the Lions Head in the clouds

Smiles all around

The Atlantic Seaboard below

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.

On Otter Beach

Vit Sea

A black oystercatcher

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