Hiking Table Mountain
Hiking up Table Mountain
Table Mountain is an absolutely phenomenal hikers paradise. There is something magical about the mountain and it’s unbelievable presence on everybody’s doorstep. You will never run out of new and exciting hiking trails and there is something for everyone, all age groups and levels of difficulties.
If you have limited time the best option for climbling Table mountain is to take the main route up Patteklip Gorge which is the big cleft you can see in mountain to the left of the cable car station.
Start
Platteklip Gorge is accessed from the same road that feeds the Cableway by driving up Kloofnek Road from the city. At the top of the hill there is a turn (left if you are coming from the city) towards the mountain (Cableway signs). Platteklip starts about 1km past the cable station. There is a little parking area. The route starts at the parking lot 2km past the lower cable station.
End
10 minutes walk from the upper cable car station
Distance
3 km distance from bottom to top.
Duration
2-3 hours
Rating
Moderate to tough
Permit
No permit required
Features
Fynbos, rocky, steep gorges
Take With
You will need the following:
- sunglasses,
- good walking shoes,
- insect repellent,
- refreshments and water,
- camera,
- binoculars
Please Note
You will find that the hike is suitable for older children but they need to be in peak physical condition. The path is easy to negotiate but it is quite steep and should be tackled at an easy pace allowing you to enjoy the scenic views on the way up.
Description
The route is very steep so do be warned but despite that, it is extremely popular and you will see many people along the way. In the afternoon you will find lots of shade but the gorge is exposed to hot sun earlier in the day. Coming down is harder than going up because the route is very rocky and quite a challenge. Most of the route involves rock steps which can be challenging so don’t underestimate the time and energy needed for the downward section otherwise there is always the cable car to come down in.
Highlights
Populations of Rock Hyrax, commonly known as dassies, are plentiful on the mountain. You may also see porcupines, the odd mongoose is you are lucky, lizards, snakes and butterflies.
If you are looking for something more leisurely there are plenty of walks all over the mountain. If you drive up to Constantian Nek you can walk in almost any direction with forests all around you. You will find gravel and cement roads to walk along or you may choose to take some of the little shortcuts where you walk on single track and stairs for a part of the way. You will cross paths with many other hikers, dog walkers and joggers who are absorbing the beautiful surroundings of this very special mountain.
You can pick up leaflets of all the different hiking trails at XXXX with maps and details.