The ultimate guide to hiking Table Mountain: 22 trails

Climbing desk mountain is extra than simply ascending it through Platteklip Gorge. Actually, there are an array of trials, which you’ll be able to combine collectively to go on an final journey as Getaway did on a multiday hike.

Whatever the journey, you may dwell in Cape City your complete life and nonetheless have a plethora of trails on Desk Mountain you hadn’t even thought of.

@getawaymagazine Are you the hike or cable-car-up Desk Mountain sort? Both manner there’s a lot to get pleasure from while you land on the enduring desk high #TableMountain ♬ unique sound – GetawayMagazine

Bear in mind, earlier than embarking on a hike to correctly put together, so learn our hikers information to arriving in a single piece in addition to Mountain Search and Rescue’s security suggestions.

Feeling prepared? Effectively then take a look at our information to mountaineering Desk Mountain with these 22 trails

Climbing Desk Mountain: The Classics

1. Platteklip

Image: Getaway Gallery/ Dané van den Heever.

Have you ever ever been to Cape City in the event you haven’t hiked Platteklip? Some of the in style routes relating to mountaineering Desk Mountain. Contemplate beginning early in summer season, the uncovered slopes have little or no shade and no respite from the warmth.

Begin: Tafelberg Highway, Cape City
Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
Length: 2-3 hours
Size: 3 kilometres (one technique to Cable Cart station)
Issue: Average to strenuous
Canine Pleasant: No
Must Know: Be ready for a steep ascent and rocky terrain. Carry sufficient water and put on correct mountaineering footwear.

2. Indian Venster

Not far off from Platteklip Gorge and taking you alongside the ledge just under the higher cable cart station, India Venster makes for a extra exhilarating hike, however not really helpful in case you are afraid of heights.

The route just isn’t clearly marked on some components with a couple of scrambling sections that require some climbing. It’s not too hectic, however the steep ascent and jaw-dropping views will be intimidating, so it’s really helpful to hike with somebody who is aware of the route.

Begin: Tafelberg Highway, Cape City
Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
Length: 3-4 hours
Size: 4 kilometres (One technique to cable cart)
Issue: Average to strenuous
Canine Pleasant: No
Must Know: This path includes scrambling and uncovered sections. Use warning and guarantee you’ve gotten an excellent degree of health.

3. Skeleton Gorge

This route is an effective different for these sizzling, sunny days as you may be largely protected by the forest cover within the gorge and the ice-cold water from the streams a welcome respite from the warmth.

Image: Getaway Gallery

Begin: Kirstenbosch Nationwide Botanical Backyard
Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
Length: 4-5 hours
Size: 6 kilometres
Issue: Average to strenuous
Canine Pleasant: No
Must Know: Put together for a steep ascent via lush forested areas and be cautious of slippery sections.

4. Satan’s Peak

Begin: Tafelberg Highway, Cape City (on town aspect)
Finish: Satan’s Peak Summit
Length: 3-4 hours
Size: 7 kilometres
Issue: Average to strenuous
Canine Pleasant: Sure
Must Know: Take pleasure in panoramic views of Cape City, however be ready for a difficult hike with some rocky and uncovered sections. Anticipate some scrambling.

A well-marked route that begins on the finish of Tafelberg Highway simply past the decrease cable cart station. You’ll attain the Satan’s Peak Saddle after following the zigzagging path, the place you’ll hit a T-junction.  From there, Observe the stream within the route of Newlands Ravine till reaching the signal for the height. From right here, the ascent turns into extremely steep and tough to remain on the proper path.

5. Pipetrack

Image: David Henning

Begin: Tafelberg Highway & Kloof Nek Junction (Simply above the car parking zone)
Finish: Kloof Nek Parking Space
Length: 2-3 hours
Size: 6 kilometres
Issue: Straightforward to reasonable
Canine Pleasant: Sure

Following the previous pipeline that hugs the Western slopes of Desk Mountain for round 6 km till it reaches the beginning of Hall Ravine. The proper hike for novices, with little elevation.

6. Kasteelpoort

Image: David Henning

Begin: Pipe Monitor, Camps Bay
Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
Length: 4-5 hours
Size: 7 kilometers
Issue: Average to strenuous
Canine Pleasant: No
Must Know: Be ready for a steep ascent with rocky sections. Take sufficient water and be cautious of fixing climate circumstances.

Ensure that you already know the place this route begins (obtain a map in your cellphone) as its straightforward to overlook the flip off from the Pipetrack. When you’ve taken the flip, the clear path will take you to the highest.

7. Lion’s head

Image: David Henning

Begin: Sign Hill Highway, Cape City
Finish: Lion’s Head Summit
Length: 2-3 hours
Size: 5 kilometres
Issue: Average
Canine Pleasant: Sure
Must Know: The path includes some steep sections and chains. Keep away from mountaineering throughout robust winds.

We all know that this doesn’t technically rely as mountaineering Desk Mountain, however is arguably one of the iconic hikes within the mom metropolis, particularly on a full moon.

Climbing Desk Mountain: others value making an attempt

8. Oppelskop through Saddle Path

Begin: Constantia Nek Parking Space
Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
Length: 3-4 hours
Size: 5 kilometres
Issue: Average
Canine Pleasant: No
Must Know: Take pleasure in a scenic hike via indigenous fynbos. The path will be rocky and steep in sections.

A reasonable path ranging from Tafelberg Highway. It includes steep ascents and rocky terrain, taking roughly 4-5 hours to achieve the summit of Oppelskop. From the top of Tafelberg Highway, simply after the Eucalyptus bushes, look out for an indication and path, that is the beginning of the hike.

9. Porcupine Ravine

Image: David Henning

Begin: Cecilia Forest, Constantia
Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
Length: 5-6 hours
Size: 7 kilometres
Issue: Average to strenuous
Must Know: Be ready for steep ascents, unfastened rocks, and difficult terrain. Carry sufficient water and be cautious of fixing climate.
Canine Pleasant: No

A very good different to Kasteelpoort. the path begins close to the Pipe Monitor, simply above Theresa Avenue, and winds its manner up via the ravine. As you ascend, you’ll encounter sections of scrambling, so take heed to whether or not or not it rained lately as a result of it may be slippery.

10. Newlands Forest through Contour Path

Begin: Newlands Forest
Length: 3 hours
Size: 6km
Issue: Average
Canine pleasant: Sure
Must Know: Path can turn out to be very slippery

Beginning on the Newlands Forest Hearth Station, the path takes you as much as a wood walkway, underneath the quilt of lush forests.

11. Orange Kloof

Canine Pleasant: No
Begin: Newlands Forest, Cape City
Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
Length: 4-5 hours
Size: 8 kilometers
Issue: Average to strenuous
Must Know: The path will be steep and difficult, with some rocky and slippery sections. Carry sufficient water and be ready for altering climate.

Begin: Tafelberg Highway, Cape City/ Rhodes Memorial
Finish: Woodstock Cave
Length: 2-3 hours
Size: 3.5 kilometers
Issue: Average
Canine Pleasant: Sure

From the Tafelberg Highway aspect, stroll till the top of the tarred part. A 100 m additional, you’ll see a metallic gate with stone pillars, the path begins simply bore the gate. From Rhodes Memorial, comply with the trail to the Blockhouse. From there, comply with the trail across the mountain within the route of Cape City

13. Kloof Nook Ridge

Image: Getaway Gallery

Canine Pleasant: No
Begin: Kloof Nek Parking Space
Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
Length: 2-3 hours
Size: 4 kilometres
Issue: tough
Must Know: The path provides gorgeous views of Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles. Be aware of some steep sections, this can be a difficult route and it’s suggested you do it with a information or somebody who is aware of the path.

Providing gorgeous views of Camps Bay, this path requires the usage of chains and shouldn’t be tried you probably have a worry of heights. Observe the path from Kloof Nook (the steps by the final bend on Tafelberg Highway earlier than the cable cart) and make your manner up in direction of the cable cart and search for a set of chains hanging from the rock face to your proper (+-  40 m from the beacon) and that is the place the enjoyable begins.

14. Myburgh Waterfall Ravine – Llandudno Ravine  

Begin: Farrier’s Means, Hout Bay
Length: 4-5 hours
Size: 7 .5kilometres
Issue: Strenuous
Must Know: Be ready for some scrambling sections, should be comparatively match.

From Farriers Means there’s a footpath that leads up the mountain. Head there in Winter if you wish to see the waterfall, however be cautious of slipping. When you attain the highest of Myburgh Waterfall Ravine, the hike turns into much less strenuous. You possibly can detour to Judas Peak or proceed your hike in direction of Llandudno.

16. Hall Ravine

Begin: Theresa Avanue/ Kloof Nek Nook
Length: 3-4 hours
Size: 7-8 km (out and again)
Issue: Average to strenuous
Canine Pleasant: sure
Must Know:

The path takes you up the western slopes of Desk Mountain, giving technique to nice views of Camps Bay and Llandudno. A path that begins on the Pipe Monitor, and follows till the top on the high. Contemplate persevering with onto Tranquility Cracks and coming down Woody Ravine

18. Woody Ravine

The descent down Woody Ravine from the Apostles Backbone. Image: David Henning

Begin: Theresa Avanue
Length: 3 hours
Size: 5.3 km
Issue: Strenuous
Canine Pleasant: sure
Must Know: A steep ascent, so should be reasonably match to hike up this route.

Woody Ravine descent. Image: David Henning

One of many better-marked trails on Desk Mountain, the ascent begins from the Pipe Monitor when the path enters a lush forest in a gorge and an indication factors to the path up the mountain which takes you to the Apostles Backbone on the highest.

19. Woody Buttress

Begin: Theresa Avanue/ Kloof Nek Nook
Length: 3 hours
Size: 7-8 km (out and again)
Issue: Average to strenuous
Canine Pleasant: sure
Must Know: Observe the gravel highway up and round to the fitting, till you attain a small stone water tank. Simply behind it, flip left onto a steep, slender path. Observe this as much as the primary band of rock and skirt round it to the left. Begin scrambling up the ridge, taking care to comply with the cairns as they lead backwards and forwards throughout the buttress alongside the road of least resistance.

Learn: Hike Woody Buttress, Desk Mountain

As a substitute of a plod up the within of a ravine, Woody Buttress is a pleasant hop, skip and bounce up the backbone of one of many Apostles. The views could provide you with vertigo, but it surely’s laborious to beat the pleasure of gripping stable jugs on sandstone monkey stairs as you haul your self increased or bounding over boulders.

20. Constantia Nek to Woodhead Reservoir

Climbing Desk Mountain: exploring the desk high

17. Tranquility Cracks

@getawaymagazineThere are many hidden gems in Desk Mountain. One among which is a collection of interlinking deep and slender slits and fractures between rocks known as the Tranquility Cracks. The Tranquility Cracks are thought of certainly one of Cape City’s best-kept secrets and techniques. This labyrinth of corridors full of indigenous Yellowwood bushes just isn’t seen from the surface, making it harder to seek out. However as soon as inside, you may have enjoyable squeezing via the slender corridors. There are a number of passages and attention-grabbing viewpoints to seek out. Many individuals attempt to discover the cracks, however few handle to seek out them.♬ unique sound – GetawayMagazine

Begin: Theresa Avanue
Length: 4-5 hours
Size: 7-8 km (out and again)
Issue: Average to strenuous
Canine Pleasant: sure
Must Know: Discovering the entry to Tranquillity Cracks will be extraordinarily tough, so it’s in all probability finest to do it with somebody who’s been there earlier than or with a information.

The best technique to discover the entry to the cracks is through Hall Ravine. Strolling in direction of the Cable Cart alongside the primary Apostles Path, you’ll discover a discrete path veering to the left no apparent vacation spot. That is the trail to the cracks, however discovering the cracks nonetheless stays tough from there.

21. 12 Apostles Backbone

Begin: Theresa Avenue, Cable Cart or Farrier’s Means (Hout Bay)
Length: 4-7 hours (is dependent upon route)
Size: 7 kilometres (is dependent upon route)
Issue: Average to strenuous (Depends upon route selection.

The 12 Apostles Backbone path runs atop the buttresses, from Llandudno to the primary plateau. It takes you thru the Valley of the Purple Gods (see beneath) earlier than reaching the Cable Cart. The size of the hike is dependent upon your ascent on one of many western slopes talked about above. It additionally takes you previous the previous Cable Cart and diving board, in addition to Tranquility Cracks.

22. Valley of the Purple Gods

Image: David Henning

Begin: Theresa Avenue (through one of many hikes talked about above) or Cable Cart
Length: 4-5 hours (is dependent upon route)
Size: 7 kilometres (is dependent upon route)
Issue: Average to strenuous

An exquisite, secluded part of Desk Mountain with Fynbos in full bloom. From the cable cart, head South from the cable cart station in direction of Kasteelpoort and also you’ll end up strolling via the valley. From Kasteelpoort or one of many different ascents from the Pipe Monitor, simply head in direction of the cable cart.

Additionally Learn: The Different ‘Die Hel’: Climbing the Groot Winterhoek