#7 Beauty & the Burn
A steep, scrambly climb up Blackburn Ravine to Sentinel View, with easy contour kilometres and a shady forest pool along the way.
Route information
Last verified · September 2026
Why it made the challenge
Why we chose it
Beauty & the Burn made the challenge because it packs a lot of mountain into a relatively short loop. You get a long, runnable contour with incredible views above Chapman’s Peak Drive, a proper climb through Blackburn Ravine and some of the best viewpoints on this side of the mountain. It’s scenic, varied and just technical enough to keep things interesting.
Scenic highlights
- Fairly flat, runnable contour section with huge views above Chapman’s Peak Drive
- Atlas’ Pool and its little pocket of forest
- Sentinel View and the picnic bench overlooking Hout Bay and the surrounding peaks
- Long stretches of incredible mountain and coastal views
Key challenges
- Blackburn Ravine gets rocky, steep and exposed in places
- Some scrambly, technical climbing, including ladder sections
- Exposure may not suit anyone uncomfortable with heights
Step-by-step navigation guide
- 0.0 km
Start
Here we go
Start your tracker at the trail board and head up the path. There's no gentle warm-up on this one, but the views kick in quickly and only get better from here.
- 0.75 km
750 to 780 m
Keep left, then left again
At 750 m, you'll reach a cairn. Keep left.
Just a few metres later, at 780 m, take another left onto the contour path.
- 0.78 km
Contour path
Enjoy the easy kilometres
Now this is lovely. Fairly flat, runnable and with stunning views. Cruise along the contour for about 3 km and enjoy it.
The Burn is coming.
- 3.8 km
Atlas' Pool
Into the trees
Welcome to Atlas' Pool, your little patch of shade in the forest. Enjoy the shade, have a sip and cross the creek.
Once across, you'll see the path ahead of you heading up to the right. Take it and start climbing.
- 4.3 km
Blackburn Ravine
Into the Burn
At the T-junction, turn right onto Blackburn Ravine.
This is the spicy bit. It gets steep and scrambly, with a few exposed sections along the way. Take your time, use your hands when you need to and occasionally turn around. The views behind you are ridiculous.
- 5.3 km
Sentinel View
You made it!
Welcome to Sentinel View. Catch your breath, take in the views and make use of the new picnic bench if you need a little break.
When you're ready, continue along the path towards Silvermine. The hard climbing is behind you for now.
- 6.0 km
Gravel road
Turn right towards Noordhoek Peak
Hit the white gravel road and turn right towards Noordhoek Peak.
After Blackburn, this almost feels like a road run. It's still a gradual uphill, but you've definitely done worse today.
- 8.2 km
Descent turn
Right, and back down
Once you've passed the turn-off to Noordhoek Peak, continue downhill for another 100 m. You'll see a wide-ish gravel path on your right. Take it.
It quickly turns into a beautiful sandy single track that will take you all the way back down to the cairn.
The descent gets rocky and technical in places, but there are some beautifully runnable bits too. And those views? They just don't get old.
Once you reach the cairn, retrace your steps back down to your car the same way you came up.
Stop your watch where you started. Don’t forget to publish your result to the Cape Trail leaderboard, and if you got some good photos out there, share them on Instagram or add them to the community photo folder below.
Route Highlights
A few more reasons to add this route to your list.
Important
- Route information is provided as a guide only.
- Conditions may change without notice.
- Always assess weather, trail conditions, route suitability, and your own abilities before setting out.
- Participants are responsible for their own safety and decisions at all times.
The record board for this route.
Verified completions only, one row per athlete using their best accepted attempt. Climb the board by returning and improving your time.
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Before you go
Practical details to help you complete the route safely.
Park in the dedicated parking bay at the trailhead on Chapman's Peak Drive. Don't leave valuables visible in your car. If you come from Noordhoek there is no toll. If you come from Hout Bay you pay the Chapman's Peak Drive toll.
Exposed mountain route. Blackburn Ravine includes steep scrambling and exposed sections and is not suitable if you are uncomfortable with heights. Weather can change quickly. Avoid in poor visibility, strong wind or wet conditions. Run or hike with others, tell someone your route and carry enough water, layers and a charged phone.
No reliable drinking water on the route. Carry everything you need, especially in summer. You cross water near Atlas' Pool, but it may be dry.
Patchy, especially around the Silvermine area.
Dogs are allowed with an activity permit, but not recommended. Blackburn Ravine is a steep scramble with a wooden ladder section that dogs won't manage.
Daylight hours only. Check Chapman's Peak Drive status before heading out.
SANParks Emergency: 086 110 6417
From the Trail
A little glimpse of the route through the eyes of the Cape Trail community.
Got a good one? Share your photos with us and we might add our favourites to the gallery.
Your photos will open in our shared Google Drive folder. By uploading them, you're happy for Cape Trail to select and feature them on this website and our social channels, with credit where possible.
Safety & responsible trail use
Cape Trail provides guidance, not guarantees. Please read before heading out.
Water sources shown on routes are seasonal and may be dry. Never rely on natural water sources, always carry sufficient water.
Trail conditions may change due to weather, erosion, maintenance work, fire, flooding, or other environmental factors.
Route descriptions and photographs are provided as guidance only. Users remain responsible for navigation and route-finding decisions.
Mountain weather can change rapidly. Users are responsible for checking conditions before starting.
Users participate entirely at their own risk.
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