A Challenging Morning on the Cecilia Waterfall Hiking Trail

On Saturday, Angelique and I decided to take on the Cecilia Waterfall Hiking Trail. We had a slow start, thanks to a tiring week, but we set off in good spirits, hoping for a peaceful walk in nature.

Confusing Directions and the First Detour

Right from the beginning, it was clear the trail might not be as straightforward as expected. Although the first few hundred meters were easy, we quickly reached a fork in the road. Unfortunately, Table Mountain National Parks does not always provide clear signage. We weren’t the only ones confused—even a couple hiking with their baby was unsure which direction to follow.

We took the right-hand path, keeping the stream on our right, as I vaguely remembered from some online reviews. However, we mistakenly crossed the stream, and the path led us downhill. That’s when I realized we were off-course and needed to turn back.

Pushing Through With a Knee Injury

Once we found the correct path again, we noticed other hikers keeping to the right side of the stream and climbing higher. According to the Google listing for the Cecilia Waterfall Hiking Trail, it’s described as a fairly easy route. That description led me to choose it, especially since I’ve been struggling with a worsening knee injury. I wasn’t looking for anything intense—certainly nothing that involved climbing over rocks.

Despite the trail being tougher than expected, I was determined to keep going. The forest around us added to the sense of calm and beauty, even as my knee protested with each step. Adding to the challenge, a group of rangers nearby was using paintball guns to deter baboons, which left the animals agitated and made us a bit nervous.

Almost at the Waterfall—but Not Quite

Eventually, the sound of the waterfall came into earshot, lifting our spirits. The last stretch included a mix of wooden stairs and rocks, which were manageable at first. Feeling motivated, I hoped we could reach the top so I could go live on TikTok.

But about 100 meters from the waterfall, we ran into a problem: a large boulder blocked the path with no way around it. Just as we were figuring out how to get over it, a group of hikers returning from the top offered help. They warned us that there were more rocks ahead and reminded us we’d have to come back down the same way.

At that point, considering my injury and the tough terrain, Angelique and I made the difficult decision to turn around. It was disappointing to come so close and not reach the waterfall, but safety had to come first—especially with an MRI scan in my near future.

A Risky Shortcut and Unwanted Company

Back at the point where we had earlier stopped for water, we opted to take the biking route down. Unfortunately, that choice didn’t work out well either. We got lost again and, to make things worse, encountered a troop of clearly irritated baboons.

We stood frozen for ten long minutes. Thankfully, a woman who hikes the Cecilia Waterfall Hiking Trail every month came along. Unfazed by the baboons, she guided us past them and helped us reconnect with the trail that led back to the entrance.

Reflecting on the Experience

By the time we reached the trailhead, we were exhausted but still managed to laugh at the day’s chaos. While the hike didn’t go as planned, it gave us plenty to remember—and a strong reminder to prepare better next time.

If you’re planning to hike the Cecilia Waterfall Hiking Trail, keep in mind that it may be more demanding than advertised. Good shoes, a hiking partner, and clear directions are essential.

Also, if you’re interested in reading about our previous adventures, be sure to check out our earlier blog post here.

We haven’t made plans for the upcoming weekend just yet, especially with no rugby on, but we’ll keep you posted. You can expect a fresh blog post by Monday. In the meantime, don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and YouTube, and subscribe to our website for more updates.

Have a fantastic day and a peaceful week ahead!