Crystal Pools hike, Gordon’s Bay

Crystal Pools is the Steenbras River Gorge hike above Gordon's Bay. It is not Table Mountain, and it is not a same-morning plan. The City of Cape Town caps the day at 50 people and issues permits by email only. Listing: Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge).

Season and capacity

Official permit rules: open 1 November to 30 April, closed in winter for rehabilitation. Maximum 50 people per day. Groups of 2 to 10 — no solo permits on that leaflet. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult (they are not banned). Entry from sunrise to sunset.

Bookings usually open 1 October. After the September 2023 storm the City cancelled the whole 2023/24 season. In 2024 bookings opened a month late (1 November) while staff repaired flood damage. Treat “it is November, so it is open” as a guess until the reserve confirms.

How to book

Email steenbras.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za with a date and group size. Finalise payment at least three working days before you go. Refunds are not listed as available; the City says it will try to move you if weather makes the day unsafe. Office hours on the leaflet: 09:00–14:00 Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays. Emergency number on that leaflet: 021 480 7700.

The same leaflet tells you to check the City website for the current permit tariff. We leave the listing fee blank rather than freeze an old rand figure.

Safety the City actually prints

You must be physically fit. Wear hiking shoes. Carry food, water, a first-aid kit, a warm layer and a phone. Watch for flash floods — the river can rise metres in minutes. The gorge sits below the Steenbras Dam sluice gates, which may be opened at any time. The hiking permit does not authorise abseiling. Kloofing is described as dangerous and not recommended unless under a registered guide; first-time kloofers must go with an experienced kloofer.

Baboons use the reserve — keep food secured. No dogs on this listing.

Official leaflet: Steenbras permit regulations (PDF). Other False Bay days: Cape Town trails beyond Table Mountain.

Questions

When is Crystal Pools open?

The City’s Steenbras permit leaflet says the trail is open only from 1 November to 30 April and closed in winter. Bookings are typically taken from 1 October. Storm damage has cancelled whole seasons before — confirm the current season before you email.

How do you book Crystal Pools?

Email steenbras.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za. Permits are issued in advance by email only. Finalise booking and payment at least three working days before the visit. Office hours on the leaflet: 09:00–14:00 weekdays, excluding public holidays. Phone listed on the listing: 021 444 6927.

How much is the Crystal Pools permit?

The official permit leaflet tells you to consult the Steenbras Nature Reserve page on the City website for the latest tariff. Published blogs disagree. We do not pick a rand figure for you.