Description

Once again some determined scouting by locals has paid off, this time unearthing several boulders within the Cecilia Forest. While there are only four boulders each offering an alternate style of climbing, and atmosphere below the tall canopies alone is enough to warrant a visit. If you only have an hour or two to spare for a quick session, or looking to blow off a little steam within the city limits, then the Cecilia boulders are a perfect choice.

The 'Follow the River Boulder' is positioned alongside a river where rough slopers are the order of the day. It's great during the summer when a cool breeze is blowing through the woods and the rest of the city is feeling the heat.

Movin' on up… to a square-shaped block directly on the path. While strictly speaking 'Ike's Boulder' has no true eliminates most of the problems do follow specific lines, characterised by crimps and edges.

Higher still... definitely the top find in the forest - The Den consists of harder steep lines on the right side of utilising several cracks and edged rock, while the front takes a tall featured slab.

With a short easy walk the Beginner Boulder and the surrounding smaller boulders are perfect for children to learn on, or to pop in on the way to The Den.

History

The Follow the River Boulder was discovered close to the parking by Donovan Burls in 2003. Venturing further up, Ike's boulder was the next obvious one situated right next to the path. The Den was encompassed by tall pine trees and so took a little more scouting to find. The Beginner Boulder has probably been climbed on since the dawn of time.

Routes on Cecilia Forest
32 boulder 2 Likes
Browse topos
Photos
Premium topo by Cape Town Bouldering
Scott Noy
S. Noy
from Freiburg
Stewart Noy
S. Noy
from Cape Town
Other Premium topos by Cape Town Bouldering 8
Cecilia Forest

The area is access sensitive!

RULES
Important Note: Do NOT enter Orange Kloof entrance if parking at the Upper Parking. All boulders are off limits, and even hiking, is by permit only. Please obey the rules!
The Cecilia Forest boulders are on SanParks land and access is not guaranteed and everyone's actions could be the reason access to these boulders could be restricted!

DRIVE
There are two parking areas for Cecilia Forest, the Lower and Upper Parking. You can access all the boulders from either parking.
From Cape Town, get onto the N2. Follow this keeping to the right as the road becomes the M3 at a bridge intersection and you want to follow the M3 right and avoid turning left with the N2. Continue on the M3 for +- 3.9km until you reach the first set of traffic lights. Turn right here onto Rhodes Avenue (M63) and follow this for +- 2.5km to a T-junction and take a right. Continue on for +- 1.5km until reaching the Cecilia Forest Lower Parking on the right hand side of the road.
To reach the Upper Parking simply continue on Rhodes Avenue (M63) from the Lower Parking for +- 3.1km until reaching the Constantia Nek circle. Just before reaching the circle, take a right up a hard to spot tared jeep track and park at the top of this road.

APPROACH
Click on the MAP and you will find Trails displayed on the map in different colours leading to each of the boulders starting at both the Lower and Upper Parking. Zoom in for a closer look.
In addition to that click on a boulder called "Paths Map". It has paths, path numbers and areas laid out. Once you have that you will easily be able to follow the walk-in instructions given below in conjunction with the Trails.

Follow the River Boulder - Lower Parking: 5 minutes
Walk back along the M63 for a minute or so until you reach a little stream. Turn left and follow the river up for 100m or so to reach the boulder. When starting out keep left of several tall gum trees, and stick close to the river and the climbers path will soon become obvious. If you head away from the river it gets messy.

Ike's Boulder - Lower Parking: 10 minutes
Follow 1 up, take a left onto 2 at a bend in the road. You can't miss the boulder, it's directly on the path on the right about a minute or so up next to the river.

The Den - Lower Parking: 25 minutes
Follow 1 up and take a left onto 2 at a bend in the road. Continue up 2 until converging with a gravel road and 3 higher. Take a left on 3 and walk until you're able to spot the boulder down the hill - keep to the left side of the road to ensure you don't miss it.

The Den - Upper parking: 20 minutes
From the parking head up past the boom taking the main track (3) and follow this keeping left at the first fork (Beginner Boulder is found here). Continue on past a dedication plaque on your right until you reach The Den down on the slopes to your right. Keep an eye out.

Beginner Boulder - Upper Parking: 5 minutes
From the parking head up past the boom taking the main track (3) and follow this until reaching the Beginner Boulder on the right side of the track where the road forks.