Devil's+Peak

Devil's Peak is part of the mountainous backdrop to Cape Town, South Africa. Standing 3,281 feet high, slightly shorter than Table Mountain, it is located in Western Cape, South Africa. This mountain was once know as a home to the Dutch East India Company. The central districts of Cape Town are nestled within this natural amphitheatre. The city grew out of a settlement founded on the shore below the mountains in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck. Some of the first farms in the Cape were established on the slopes of Devils Peak, along the Liesbeek River. On the Eastern slopes of Devil's Peak you will find the Rhodes Memorial, to Cecil Rhodes, and the University of Cape Town.

There is also the plane crash of 1971. On 26 May 1971, three South African Air Force aircraft crashed into Devil's Peak, killing all 11 on board. The aircraft were flying in close to the mountain, practicing for a fly pass during the upcoming 10th anniversary Republic Day celebrations on May 31. The marks in the ground from the impact of the planes can still be seen today and it was a tragic event.

Devil's Peak is a great mountain to hike up too. Many people do it year round for the beauty and the exercise. One can walk to the top (western slopes provide the easiest approach) but the ascent is more pleasant and safer outside of the cold, wet, winter months of May to August. The mountain is prone to fog and mist, so hikers must take extra precautions on their hiking trip. Also, the ground can be very steep on some areas of the mountain where the mountain tends to drop off.