Nursery Ravine

Know before you go

• One of the most beautiful gorge hikes on the eastern slopes — rare indigenous forest throughout.
• Most hikers do a circuit: up Skeleton Gorge, down Nursery Ravine (or vice versa).
• Shade throughout the gorge — a good option on hot summer days.
• Cable car descent available if you reach the summit plateau.

If you need help

Consistent call-outs for exhausted hikers who underestimate the unrelenting step-climb. Slippery conditions in winter cause falls. Hikers frequently turn back mid-route and become stranded.

Emergency exit

At the top, turn left to reach Hely-Hutchinson Reservoir and the jeep track back to Constantia Nek (45 min). Descending mid-route is slower and harder than pushing to the summit.

Cell reception

Poor. Signal unreliable in the gorge and on the upper mountain.

Start point

Parking: Cecilia Forest parking on Rhodes Drive. Free roadside.

Elevation profile

Best time of year

Shaded gorge — kindest in summer. Steps are slippery in winter wet.

Treat or filter before drinking — never trust a stream raw.

• Nursery stream

  Year-round

  Reliable forest stream. Treat before drinking.

Tell someone where you are going

Share your plan with a friend or family member before you set off.