Now that Wally’s Cave has been ripped from Cape Town’s Instagram roster, the social network has been largely devoid of artsy cliff-side yoga.
This December, though, we predict that hunting for the new, hip Instagram rock or beachfront will be an adventure many a Cape Town clique will be enjoying.
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But no fear.
If you have no clue where to begin, we take a look at five spots that could take Wally’s Cave’s place atop the hashtag charts in South Africa’s trendiest city.
Muizenberg Window
With only nine images hashtagged on Instagram — and a view to kill your hamstrings for — Muizenberg Window could be the latest Wally’s Cave rival.
Snaps of the spot were first published to the social network in July by local snapper Francis Moult (@FrancFinds).
The spot is “a quick 30 minute walk from the sharkspotters on Boys Drive; to an awesome view over Muizenberg and across the Cape flats,” Moult explains.
The “window” itself may not be a cave in the true sense of the word, but rather a natural frame created by an overhanging rock. Considering its also on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula it makes for an incredible sunrise snap location.
Elephant’s Eye Cave
Constantiaberg (the large domed mountain with a massive radio mast on its back) resembles an elephant from certain angles. It’s made even more apt by a cave located where its “eye” would be. Said cave is known as, you guessed it, Elephant’s Eye.
Elephant’s Eye cave has long been a favourite hiking spot for Capetonians in the Southern Suburbs, but has only recently become an Instagram darling.
The view from Elephant’s Eye Cave. Nice one, Cape Town, you old seductress, you!
A post shared by Amelia Jane Smith (@small_creature) on
With just over 670 photographs tagged, it’s not as popular as Wally’s Cave, but it offers views across the Cape Flats and Deep South, stretching across False Bay and along Strandfontein’s sprawling sands.
Even better? Thanks to its relatively gentle gradient, it’s the perfect spot for an extended family selfie.
Dias Beach
Located in the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park, Dias Beach is one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets; largely because you’ll have to pay to access it.
But don’t let that deter you.
Straddling a cove between Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, Dias Beach is a white, sandy haven kissed by turquoise Atlantic Ocean water, bordered by baboons.
A post shared by Bente Bøther (@bentienti) on
Sure, the water’s cold, but with more than 1000 photographs already tagged on Instagram, it’s just waiting to become the new destination for footprints-in-the-sand shots this summer.
Klein-Leeukoppie
Lion’s Head is one of Cape Town’s most Instagrammed locations with more than 280 000 photographs of the city peak. But did you know that there’s a “Little” Lion’s Head a few kilometres south?
Known officially as Klein-Leeukoppie, the tiny but proud peak towers over the coastal suburb of Llandudno on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. From the top, visitors can see as far north as Lion’s Head proper, while Hout Bay and stretches of the south peninsula can also be seen in the eastern distance.
If Instagram ever allows 360-degree image uploads, expect Little Lion’s Head to be as firm favourite as its big brother.
Blinkwater Needle
Just 17 photographs are tagged #BlinkwaterNeedle, but each are awe-inspiring.
The oddly-named Blinkwater Needle is a rocky pinnacle located near the top of Blinkwater Ridge on Cape Town’s Twelve Apostles mountain range.
It’s not the most draining climb up the Table Mountain chain — in fact, it’s only around two-thirds the height of the summit of the Apostles — but the views it offers are mesmerising.
It should be noted, thought, that this particular adventure comes with a warning: it’s fairly tough to access.
Blind Gully is the only demarcated route to the Needle, and it’s heavy going, complete with loose rocks and uncomfortable scrambles at rather scary heights.
We’d suggest heading up with a known guide if you’re interested. But then again, how can you not be?
Feature image: FLASHPACKER TRAVELGUIDE via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0, resized)
