How hard is Nursery Ravine?

Nursery Ravine is graded hard. 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 Nursery Ravine?

Dogs are not allowed at Nursery Ravine.

What does Nursery Ravine cost?

Entry is listed from R110. Confirm current pricing with the reserve or operator, as fees change.

When is Nursery Ravine open?

08:00–19:00 September–March. 08:00–18:00 April–August.

Where do you park for Nursery Ravine?

Free parking at Kirstenbosch Gates 1, 2 and 3, per SANBI’s visitor information page.

Constantia, Cape Town · Western Cape

Nursery Ravine hike

Gradehard
FeeR110
Hours08:00–19:00 September–March. 08:00–18:00 April–August.
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

SANBI describes Nursery Ravine as a steep, strenuous climb up Table Mountain. Most of the path is stepped. At the top, the south face of Castle Rock is a sheer cliff. Reach the base via the Silvertree Trail, or a short cut from the top of the Protea Garden. Nursery Stream is often dry in summer. Combined with Skeleton Gorge (Smuts Track) it is one of the two routes SANBI calls safe up and down the mountain behind Kirstenbosch. The start is on the Kirstenbosch estate. Official visitor page (2026–27): South African and SADC adults R110 with ID; garden open 08:00–19:00 September–March and 08:00–18:00 April–August. Cash is not accepted. Confirm the live tariff on the official page — international and African-national rates differ.

Questions

How hard is Nursery Ravine?: Nursery Ravine is graded hard. 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 Nursery Ravine?: Dogs are not allowed at Nursery Ravine.
What does Nursery Ravine cost?: Entry is listed from R110. Confirm current pricing with the reserve or operator, as fees change.
When is Nursery Ravine open?: 08:00–19:00 September–March. 08:00–18:00 April–August.
Where do you park for Nursery Ravine?: Free parking at Kirstenbosch Gates 1, 2 and 3, per SANBI’s visitor information page.

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: Kirstenbosch Picnic Lawns (same gate); Skeleton Gorge (same gate); Cecilia Forest Waterfall Trail 2.1 km; Constantia Nek - De Villiers Dam Circuit 3.6 km.

Kirstenbosch Picnic Lawns

Constantia, Cape Town · same gate

Open lawns below the botanical gardens' Boomslang canopy walkway, with mountain views and shaded picnic spots.

Picnic
No dogs
08:00–19:00 September–March. 08:00–18:00 April–August.

Entry from R110

Skeleton Gorge

Constantia, Cape Town · same gate · hard

SANBI’s Smuts Track from the Kirstenbosch Fragrance Garden — about 5.5 hours up and down, ladders and a stream-bed scramble.

No dogs
08:00–19:00 September–March. 08:00–18:00 April–August.

Entry from R110

Cecilia Forest Waterfall Trail

Constantia, Cape Town · 2.1 km away

TMNP forest walk from the Rhodes Drive car park to seasonal Cecilia Waterfall — My Activity for dogs, no SANParks-published kilometre figure.

Dogs OK

Constantia Nek - De Villiers Dam Circuit

Constantia, Cape Town · 3.6 km away

A busier, relatively safe loop from Constantia Nek past a mountain dam.

Dogs OK

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.