The trail starts on the left of the bridge.

Crystal Pools Hiking Trail, Steenbras Nature Reserve

Location : Gordon's Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Distance : 8km
Duration : 5 hours (1 day)
Difficulty : easy
Present : William Sandenbergh, Rudolf du Toit

The Steenbras River Valley trail, or Crystal Pools as it is also known, starts about 5km East of Gordon's Bay along the coast. There is a parking area near the bridge at the river mouth and the entrance to the trail is opposite.

We started the hike at 11:30. The trail follows the Steenbras river up into a gorge. The payoff is a nice big pool with a couple of waterfalls. In some areas, the footpath can be a bit wet. The trail is marked with yellow "footprints" painted on the rocks. The first part of the trail is fairly rocky, with some minimal clambering here and there.

Water in the footpath in some areas. Trail markers. The first stage of the trail is very rocky.

After about 2 hours you will reach the waterfalls and the pool. In August you should also find Arum lilies in the area.

This is the main waterfall. Streams. Arum Lily.

We had lunch by the waterfall. Afterwards we continued with the trail towards the top of the main waterfall (below right).

Interesting patterns in the water. Rocky pool. Top view of the main waterfall.

You can get a nice view of the main pool from there. As most people, we only hiked to the pool and did not continue with the Steenbras River Valley trail. On the way down I took another picture of the main waterfall.

This is the main pool. The small waterfall at the top. Another view of the main waterfall.

The trail finishes at the bridge again.

The Crystal Pools hiking trail is a nice short walk suitable for just about everyone. I have hiked to the pool many times and will probably do so again in the future.