M2KB #2: St James Walkway - Subway
This is the 2nd of a series of 10 caches on a wonderful coastal walk along the False Bay coast from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay (M2KB) - or vice-versa. The easiest way to do the whole series is to park at or near either station and get the train back from the other end (see train times here).
Otherwise the caches can be done in groups from and back to a convenient starting/parking place, or individually – several as park ‘n’ grabs.
The caches in the series are:
GC82N4H M2KB #1: Bailey's Cottage Short Multi
GC8349F M2KB #2: St James Walkway - Subway
GC8349J M2KB #3: St James Walkway - The Spring
GC8349J M2KB #4: St James Walkway - Ferocious Bush
GC8349K M2KB #5: St James Beach Short Multi
GC8349M M2KB #6: Danger Beach
GC8349Q M2KB #7: Metro and Mussels
GC8349V M2KB #8: Dalebrook Short Multi
GC8349W M2KB #9: The Old Tea Room?!
GC8349Z M2KB #10: Kalk Bay Short Multi
The cache, a magnetic screw-capped camo-taped sample tube, is hidden at one of the several subways accessing the walkway.
***Look out for muggles when undertaking your caching operations and
please replace the cache correctly and securely in its hiding place***
To reach the cache location: a) By road: park at the Surfer’s Corner parking area, anywhere conveniently close to the start of the walkway which is @ S 34 6.599 E 18 28.078. Then follow the walkway south to the cache location passing the location of GC82N4H M2KB #1: Bailey's Cottage Short Multi along the way.
b) By rail: take the train to Muizenberg Station, exit the station on the seaward side @ S 34 6.568 E 18 28.087 either directly or via the subway (depending on the direction of arrival) into the Surfer’s Corner parking area then continue as above.
c) If doing individually, as a Park ‘n’ Grab: park in the lay-by on the main road (M4) @ S 34 6.877 E 18 27.848 then make your way the short distance south to the walk way subway and cache location.
This level concrete shoreline walkway along the north-western False Bay coast - also known as the Muizenberg Catwalk or the Muizenberg to St James Walkway - is a refreshing, easy walk frequented by walkers, hikers and runners of all ages, shapes and sizes.
It is approximately 2km long and takes around 30-40 minutes to do + additional time for geocaching, photos, pausing to take in the stunning sea and mountain views or – especially for kids – exploring the fascinating sea-life in the numerous rock pools left by a retreating tide.
It starts on the seaward side of Muizenberg station at the southern end of Surfers’ Corner beach, where there is plenty of parking, and then winds along the coast above the broad wave-cut platform and dramatic orange sandstone boulders that are so typical of this section of coast. It terminates at St James Tidal Pool but you can continue further down the coast to access additional geocaches following coastal/trackside trails and crossing beaches as far as the Dalebrook Tidal Pool at the northern end of Kalk Bay.
It is flanked on the west by the Cape Town Metrorail Southern Line which runs from Cape Town through the southern suburbs to Muizenberg and then on along the coast to Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and finally Simon’s Town. You can use this train to get you (at low cost) to or from either end of this series of coastal caches. See here for train times.
Beyond the rail track is the M4 Main Road which, along this stretch between Muizenberg and St James, passes numerous historical buildings and is known as the Muizenberg Historical Mile or Cape Town Millionaires Mile. See GC230Y2: Muizenberg Multi #1: Historical Mile for more info on this.
So, your walk will be accompanied by a sound track of crashing waves, sea-bird calls and the periodic passing train.
Also, as an amazing bonus – you may even see a huge Southern Right Whale close to shore! Every year, any time between July-December (but especially Aug-Oct), these whales skirt the South African coastline as they migrate from their alternative icy Antarctic habitat for calving and mating in warmer waters.
They frequently come very close to the shore, delighting onlookers as they breach, spyhop and lobtail, often peeping out from the sea to catch a glimpse of their human audience.
At high tides and with rough seas, waves or spray can splash onto the walkway – so check weather forecasts (see here) and tide-tables (see here) to ensure that conditions are good.