Hiking trails Table Mountain and surrounding areas

Lion’s Head 

This hike takes you on a journey of one of the best hiking trails in Cape Town. There are two choices for hiking trails up Lion’s Head. The first hiking trail up Lion’s Head is the Lion’s Head Chains. This route is a steep section of vertical rock for about 12 meters supported by chains. It is a route that is possible for beginners and advanced hikers. The second, easier route up Lion’s Head is the Spiral Route. This route has excellent view of the beaches and city alike. Both routes are possible. At the top of Lion’s Head summit, you will enjoy marvelous views of Table Mountain and the City. 

Reason to choose this hike:

It’s a shorter hike distance than Table Mountain and Lion’s Head is only 1-2 hours to reach the summit. Return 2 - 3 hours.

Platteklip Gorge

It is the oldest, quickest and easiest hiking route up Table Mountain, but also the least scenic and exciting. That doesn’t mean it’s NOT scenic and exciting – just the least compared to other routes. Also, it doesn’t mean it’s easy, just the easiest compared to other routes; it’s still strenuous. The route leads up a deep ravine, pretty along its lower sections (especially in winter, with a stream cascading) and imposing along its upper sections, where the ravine’s beetling sidewalls converge. The hike itself consists of big rock steps with a tiny bit of scrambling low down the route.  Most people who hike Table Mountain opt for Platteklip Gorge, not because it’s such a great route, but because it’s the easiest to complete and easiest to find.

Reason to choose this route:  

If you’re out of shape, not so fit, afraid of heights and have little interest in nature or adventure, or you’re under a time-constraint, then Platteklip Gorge is the best route for you. If you’ve never been on a mountain before, it will still leave you enraptured.

Time : 2.5 to 3 hours

Kasteelpoort 

This route starts by heading up the jeep track from the stunning Camps Bay or Atlantic Ocean side of Table Mountain. It connects to the historical Pipe Track and Kasteelspoort which is a steady climb up a beautiful ravine with massive buttresses flanking both sides of the ravine. Halfway up is a nice break spot called ‘Breakfast Rock’ which is a perfect photo opportunity with views of Lions Head and the Atlantic Ocean below. Once you reach the top of Kasteelspoort you’ll make your way to view the remnants of the historical Old Cableway. Here there is an opportunity for the brave to go out onto ‘Diving Board Rock’ for the incredible picture to show others back home. From the Old Cableway, you’ll hike up part of the Valley of the Red Gods & into the Valley of Isolation which has interesting rock formations creating a bowl-like valley. From there, the descent is into Echo Valley and up the backside of Table Mountain up 3 ladders. Here you’ll enjoy views overlooking your starting point down below and you’ll see how far you’ve come. We make our way to the Cableway and descend down weather permitting. At the bottom we taxi back to our vehicle at the starting point.

Reason to choose this route:  

You’ll experience three sides of the mountain in one hike & beautiful views all around.

Time : 5 hours. 

Alternative route down:

If the cable car is not operational or if you want to cross over Table Mountain an alternative route down is to walk via the dams and down Skeleton Gorge. I quite like this route.

Time: 6 - 7 hours including stops. Duration varies according to fitness levels of group.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/nNLuiJm94zb

India Venster to Cable Way 

This adventurous route takes its name from India Ravine which resembles the shape of India on a map when seen from the city, and Venster (meaning: window in Afrikaans) which is a natural window in the rocks offering views of Devil’s Peak. This hike includes some rock scrambling and exposed terrain and is not suitable for those afraid of heights or uncomfortable on exposed areas. The city is visible from all sections of this hike but one can often feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle below. The last part of this hike we round onto Fountain Ledge and then up the quiet Fountain Ravine on the backside of Table Mountain which offers spectacular views over the 12 Apostles and the Atlantic Ocean. We descend down via the Cableway weather permitting.

Reason to choose this route: If you’re looking for adventure !

Time: 3-4 hour ascent

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Tranquility Cracks: 

Starting on the beautiful Camps Bay side of Table Mountain you’ll wind your way onto the historical Pipe Track around a couple of the 12 Apostle buttresses with views of Lions Head & the Atlantic Ocean below. This route takes us through some of the rare, afromontane forest on Table Mountain and ascends one of the gentlest ravines to the top of the Apostles. This is a good ‘get away from it all’ hike because typically the trails up the far south-western side of Table Mountain are less populated as it is no where near the Cableway. The fynbos surrounds you and you feel a million miles away from the city below. Once you reach the top you’ll be overlooking the backside of the mountain and will soon discover a quiet place called Tranquility Cracks. These are narrow cracks through ancient rock that have formed from wind, rain and erosion. It is a beautiful spot to explore and then relax on the rocks with one of the best views on Earth. You’ll then make your way back out of the cracks and along the tops of the 12 Apostles to view the remnants of the historical Old Cableway. Here is a great photo opportunity for the brave to go out onto ‘Diving Board Rock’. you’ll finish by hiking down Kasteelspoort which is +/- 1.5 hours walking down a beautiful ravine. In winter the sounds of the water coming down the ravine accompany you along the way.

Reason to choose this hike: To experience a lesser known gem on a more off the beaten track.

Time : +/-5 hours

 

Missing/Magic link Trail

This iconic contour trail runs from Campsbay to Llandudno below the 12 Apostles and above the Atlantic coastline is a handbuilt wonder of Cape Town!

The missing/magic link to riding around table mountain off-road but also a delight for hikers and trail runners alike! 

The Magic Link is the same trail as The Missing Link, depending from which side you ride or hike from. From Campsbay towards Llandudno it is called the Missing Link. From Llandudno side towards Camps Bay it is The Magic Link.

Scenic views of the Atlantic Coastline. 

Watch out and make way for mountain bikers and trail runners since they also enjoy this path. 

This side of the mountain is exposed to the sun the whole day and not too much shade. Best to do this hike in the cooler months or go early. Take enough water. 

Not a circular route. Return on same route which enables you to see the same route from a different angle. 

Reason to choose this hike: It is a contour trail therefore not too strenuous. Approximately 12km.

Return Time : +/- 4 - 5 hours

Kloof Corner

Kloof Corner is by far the easiest hike on Table Mountain. It’s short, simple, and offers amazing views, especially considering how little you have to climb! It’s fantastic for sunsets, overlooking Lion’s Head and the whole of Table Bay. Drive toward the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, but park at the bottom of Tafelberg Road. From here, you can take the signposted path the Kloof Corner. 

Not a circular route. Return on same route which enables you to see the same route from a different angle.

Reason to choose this hike:

It’s under a kilometre up, so it is suitable for people of any level and age. The path is quite steep, but it’s only 20 minutes to the top (one way) 

Wood Buttress or also called Not-Woody Butress 

The Wood Buttress is on the Atlantic side. It is a thrilling route with a fair amount of moderately easy scrambling. In other words, climbing up rocks using both arms and feet.

The route is not very exposed. Above all, the rocks are made for climbing with plenty available hand- and foot holds. Therefore it is an ideal trail for those inexperienced in scrambling. If you do not want to scramble at all, Kasteelspoort is the trail for you.

The altitude at the start of this trail, is 330 m. Consequently, the elevation gain to the top of Wood Buttress is only 400 m, ending at 730 m. However, the top of Table Mountain, at the Cableway, will take you to 1060 m

Only a few know the route over the Wood Buttress. Therefore you are likely to walk alone and really experience nature.

It takes +/-3 hours to hike to the top of Wood Buttress at a comfortable pace, including photo stops and rest stops. The size of the group as well as fitness levels will largely determine the duration. During the hike, stop at the Old Cableway, with the iconic sufboard rock in the background.

The descent

Descend the mountain either by Kasteelspoort or Woody Ravine, which add +/-2 more hours to the hike.

Reason to choose this hike:

If you enjoy scrambling, are reasonably fit and wants an exciting, beautiful hike. You must have no fear of heights! Fear will not only prevent you from having fun, but it will also put you in danger, as a large part of this trail involves scrambling.

Silvermine Panorama/ Skyline Route,  this circular route,  provides stunning views of both False Bay on the one side and Hout Bay on the other. 

The trail starts at the Silvermine Dam, at the end of the tarred road that leads in to the reserve, with the first part of the walk along the edge of the dam, before a short winding path leads off a jeep track to the plateaux above.  Eventually the path leads to the viewing platform at the top of Blackburn Ravine, with a much photographed view over Hout Bay.

The circular route branches off shortly before the platform, leading up to the ridge above. It is a walk of about an hour from here to the highest point at Noordhoek Peak. The views over the Atlantic coast are quite spectacular and include a designated viewing sight of the nesting place of a pair of black eagles (the nest can only be seen, not reached).

From Noordhoek Peak the path follows the jeep track for while before the path branches to Silvermine Ridge and back to the dam and car park. The hike takes about 3½ to 4 hours.

Three Tunnels Table Mountain/ Right Front Arrow face Table Mountain. 

This fabulous route follows a spectacular traverse on the face of Table Mountain. Absolutely fantastic but not  for the faint-hearted!

Start at Platteklip Gorge. Ascend via Union Ravine and Yellowstone Gully to reach the start of the traverse, which contains some unique cave passages. The cave passages are a tight squeeze. Descend via India Venster

The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours including stops

Smitswinkel via Swartkop to Simonstown 

This hike takes you up the mountain at Smitswinkel close to the Cape Point. (The walk was a section of the SANParks Hoerikwaggo trail route.)

The path go along the Swartkop Ridges, up to the peak and then down pass the Blockhouse onto the Old Mule Trail into Simonstown. 

The views are spectacular and an abundance of Fynbos. One the most beautiful hikes in Cape Town to my opinion. Take enough water & food for a full day hike.

You will need someone to drop you off and pick you up on the other side, or go in two cars. Leave one car in Simon’s Town and drive together to start of hike. Leave one car inside Cape of Good Hope National Park. The hike end of the dirt road off Jan Smuts Road. 

The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours including stops.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/F6Hq7oY84zb

The Cape of Good Hope Overnight Trail is a two-day, one-night trail that follows a circular route through the reserve. The trail begins and ends at the Cape Point entrance. The total distance of the hike ± 33 km (you can add 10-12km extra by walking around Cape Point and taking longer routes and loops). The trail can be done either clock or anticlockwise. 

Day one, ± 23km, or longer day of the trail takes hikers through some of the most pristine wilderness of the reserve, cutting through vast plains of fynbos and over isolated beaches, populated only by ostrich, baboons, bontebok, eland and klipspringer. Wildlife, though skittish, is often seen on the route, and dynamic plant and birdlife abound. 

The overnight Hut is perfectly situated with breath-taking views. Very special! 

The second day, or shorter day, 1 ± 13km, is very rocky and included a lot of ups and downhills but very scenic. For most of the hike you are walking near the edge of the cliffs, with stunning views of the ocean and the rest of the reserve. 

Longer day ±23 km:

Shorter day ± 15 km:

Table Mountain’-Kirstenbosch Excursion (2 Days / 1 night)

Overnight at the Overseers Cottage, located high above Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Southern Suburbs of the city, overlooking False Bay. By the evening all the day walkers have left, the experience of the tranquility is great.

Description

Day 1

Enjoy a leisurely walk through the Gardens until you reach the contour path, where the mountain hike begins. From here your mountain guide will select the route to be taken to the top, according to the group’s ability and the weather. The walk to Overseers Cottage is approximately 2 – 3 hours.

However it is great to first explore around the Back of Table Mountain and enjoy lunch somewhere on the back table before heading to the Overseers Cottage in the late afternoon. Visit the railway museum and the old reservoirs. On to Kasteelspoort for the vital photograph of ‘the diving board’ that overlooks Camps Bay and the Atlantic Coastline, far below. In the evening enjoy the fire place, the stars and tranquility on Table Mountain.

Day 2

Set off along the historic Smuts Track towards Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine and Echo Valley, on your way to Maclears Beacon and the highest point of the mountain. Enjoy the interesting rock formations, the spectacular views and the wide variety of fynbos species, including proteas, ericas, restios and many others. Enjoy lunch on the way to the top of Platteklip Gorge and the Western Table en route to the cable station. The final challenge is the walk off the Table, down the steep, but well defined Platteklip Gorge route. Weather permitting, there is an optional alternative of taking the easy way down with a ride in the cable car. 

Disas : The Table Mountain National Park is a treasure trove of wildflowers. Plan your trip to see the beautiful Disas on Table Mountain. Three of the disa orchids  generally flower between mid-January and the end of March in bloom and they can be found along some of the routes. In November chance are good to spot the Drip Disas in the Aquaduct.

Disa uniflora, the red disa or pride of Table Mountain, is a South African species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae.

The Drip Disa, Longicornu (Orchid family) is listed as Vulnerable and is declining at all of its known localities. Disa Graminifolia (Blue Disa) is not easy to find. Disa Ferruginea (Orange Cluster Disa) is quite common and can very easily be found. Take special care when identifying this flower, since the Tritoniopisis Triticea (Summer Snowflake Iris) is also in bloom at the same time , and the two are often mistaken.

Around Table Mountain Camino 

Walk around Table Mountain, approximately 100km of pure delight! 

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3 

Day 4

The route