Constantia Nek, Table Mountain

“Constantia Nek” searches mix three things: the pass between Constantia and Hout Bay, a restaurant at the junction, and the Table Mountain National Park trailhead on Rhodes Drive. This page is the hike. Listing: Constantia Nek – De Villiers Dam Circuit.

The trailhead

Three roads meet at the nek: Rhodes Drive toward the city and Kirstenbosch, Constantia Road into the southern suburbs, and Hout Bay Main Road into the valley. The walk we list starts at the Constantia Nek parking area on Rhodes Drive, climbs past De Villiers Dam on the back table, and can return via Cecilia Ridge. SANParks does not publish a kilometre or hour figure for this circuit on the TMNP hiking pages we use. We leave distance blank rather than copy an app.

Next along Rhodes Drive, Cecilia Forest is the seasonal waterfall walk from the car park opposite Hohenort Avenue — a different start, still no invented kilometre figure. Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine start inside Kirstenbosch, not from this parking area.

Fees, dogs, nearby days

The official TMNP rates page lists named pay points (Silvermine, Tokai picnic, Cape Point and others). Constantia Nek is not on that list, so we do not invent a gate fee. Dog walking on permitted routes still needs a My Activity permit — details on the hiking permits guide.

A booked lawn picnic after the walk is Groot Constantia — baskets, not a bring-your-own park. Newlands Forest is the next TMNP forest to the north. Silvermine Nature Reserve is the Ou Kaapse Weg section, not this pass.

Official pages

• Table Mountain National Park (SANParks)
• TMNP rates and entry fees
• My Activity permits

Compare hiking trails in Cape Town and picnic spots in Cape Town. Run a Constantia hike or picnic we should verify? Get listed free, or ask about a featured slot.

Questions

Do you pay to hike from Constantia Nek?

SANParks’ TMNP pay-point list names Cape Point, Boulders, Silvermine, Tokai, Oudekraal and the picnic braai sites — not a Constantia Nek / Rhodes Drive gate. We therefore do not publish a conservation fee for this access. Dogs still need a My Activity permit.

Are dogs allowed at Constantia Nek?

On permitted Table Mountain walking routes from this trailhead, yes, with a SANParks My Activity permit (Level 1). Buy it online or at the Tokai Tourist Office (021 712 7471, weekdays). We do not publish an off-leash rule.

Is Constantia Nek a hike or a mountain pass?

Both searches land here. Constantia Nek is the road junction of Rhodes Drive, Constantia Road and Hout Bay Main Road — the pass between Constantia and Hout Bay. The hike we list is the De Villiers Dam circuit from the parking area on Rhodes Drive. This page is not a restaurant guide.