Nursery Ravine

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Nursery Ravine does not have the ladders and rock scrambling of Skeleton Gorge, so the descent is better training for trail running. If you are going to do both, I would suggest up Skeleton Gorge and down Nursery Ravine.

This trail follows a beautiful ravine running from Newlands Forest to the top of Table Mountain. The trail is mostly shaded, making it pleasant for summer months. It is not as technical as Skeleton Gorge.
Nursery Ravine is named for the small valley at the top that was used as a nursery for exotic trees by Forrester J Lister in 1892.

Start from the Contour Path above Kirstenbosch. There is a clear signpost indicating the start of Nursery Ravine. Most of the route is dirt singletrack with log steps. At the very top is a short series of wooden steps.

As the trail is further from the water (Nursery Stream) than that in Skeleton Gorge, it is unlikely that you'll see red disa. Nevertheless, the indigenous trees (Milkwood, Red Alder, Yellowwood, Assegaaibos and others) in the lower part of the ravine and the fynbos towards the top are fantastic.