This is a fairly steep route from Newlands Forest directly up to the Saddle. Though not as steep as Nursery Ravine or Skeleton Gorge, it is slightly higher.
Getting there: Park in the parking lot at the Newlands Forest Fire station.
Walk up the jeep track for about 50 metres, and you will come to another jeep track. In front of you is signboard with a map of paths in the area. You need to get up to the Upper Contour Path. Take a left along the jeep track, and after about 100 metres you will come to a bridge crossing a stream. On the far side of the bridge you will find the path that leads upwards. Follow the stream up, staying on the same bank.
Newlands Ravine stream
Once you reach the Upper Contour path, take a right (heading towards Town) and walk about 1km. You will come to a circular picnic bench on the right of the path — on the left is the path heading up Newlands Ravine — there is a sign on a rock to the left of the path [S 33°57.796′, E 18°26.315′]. From here on it is a simple matter of following the clear path to the summit [S 33°57.602′, E 18°25.938′].
Much of the route is shaded and comfortable cool. The vegetation changes significantly once you reach the final slope in the Ravine: on the upper slopes you should see some Proteas, Cape Everlasting, and plenty of Ericas.
You can either return the same way, or you could hike down into the Saddle and return around Devil’s Peak.
The Saddle
This is one for: shorts, sturdy shoes
This is not one for: the unfit
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Alternatively, once on the saddle you can head down the zig zags, meet up with the contour path and follow it towards the cable way. Once under the cable car head down the path and phone your friend to come fetch you