How hard is Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge)?

Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge) is graded moderate. Difficulty grades are set by the reserve or operator, not a national standard — read the safety note on the listing before you go.

Are dogs allowed at Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge)?

Dogs are not allowed at Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge).

When is Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge) open?

Open 1 November–30 April only. Email permit. Confirm the current season.

Gordon's Bay, Cape Town · Western Cape

Crystal Pools hike

Grademoderate
HoursOpen 1 November–30 April only. Email permit. Confirm the current season.
DogsNot allowed
Map Directions
Official Conditions
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The Twelve Apostles mountain range above the Atlantic seaboard, Cape Town — Cape Town region · representative photograph, not this specific trail

Crystal Pools is the City of Cape Town’s Steenbras River Gorge hike above Gordon’s Bay. Official permit rules: open only from 1 November to 30 April, closed in winter; maximum 50 people a day; groups of 2–10; permits issued in advance by email only. Finalise booking and payment at least three working days before the visit. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Storm damage cancelled the 2023/24 season and delayed 2024 bookings — confirm the current season before you email. The official leaflet tells you to check the City website for the latest tariff; we do not publish a rand figure. The hiking permit does not authorise abseiling or kloofing.

Questions

How hard is Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge)?: Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge) is graded moderate. Difficulty grades are set by the reserve or operator, not a national standard — read the safety note on the listing before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge)?: Dogs are not allowed at Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge).
When is Crystal Pools (Steenbras River Gorge) open?: Open 1 November–30 April only. Email permit. Confirm the current season.

Spot an error or a closed path?

Trail facts change. Tell us what you saw and we'll check it against the reserve.

Nearby on the map

From this pin: Vergelegen Picnics 14 km; Helderberg Nature Reserve 18 km; Protea Trail, Helderberg Nature Reserve 18 km; Sugarbird Walk, Helderberg Nature Reserve 18 km.

Vergelegen Picnics

Helderberg, Cape Town · 14 km away

A paid picnic-basket experience under Vergelegen's historic camphor trees in Somerset West.

Picnic
No dogs
Picnic season closes 1 May 2026 and reopens 1 November 2026.

Entry from R540

Helderberg Nature Reserve

Helderberg, Cape Town · 18 km away

City of Cape Town reserve above Somerset West: cashless adults R30 (1 July 2026–30 June 2027), vehicles R20. Seasonal hours from 07:30. Official picnic sites, no braais. No dogs except certified service dogs. Not Table Mountain National Park.

Picnic
No dogs
December–February 07:30–20:00; March and November 07:30–19:00; April–October 07:30–17:30.

Entry from R30

Protea Trail, Helderberg Nature Reserve

Helderberg, Cape Town · 18 km away · moderate

Friends blue route: 6.2km, about 2 hours, grade 2A. Same City cashless gate as Helderberg Nature Reserve — adults R30 on the 2026/27 table.

No dogs
December–February 07:30–20:00; March and November 07:30–19:00; April–October 07:30–17:30.

Entry from R30

Sugarbird Walk, Helderberg Nature Reserve

Helderberg, Cape Town · 18 km away · easy

Friends yellow route: 2.9km, about 45 minutes, grade 1A. Same City cashless gate as Helderberg Nature Reserve — adults R30 on the 2026/27 table.

No dogs
December–February 07:30–20:00; March and November 07:30–19:00; April–October 07:30–17:30.

Entry from R30

Hike at your own risk. Trail conditions change — weather, fire damage, water crossings and rockfalls can make a route unsafe with little or no notice. Distance, difficulty and other details here are compiled from public sources and may be outdated. Always verify current conditions with the relevant park or reserve authority before setting out, and hike within your own ability.