These are not long hikes mostly on boardwalks near the cable car station. Both routes finish just 700 m away from the upper cable car station. If you walk up following the Diagonal or Kasteelspoort trail you’ll end up on the other side of the mountain, about 5 km away from the Upper Cable Car Station which means there are pretty much no facilities nearby. If you’re planning to use the cable car check for the wind it sometimes gets very windy in summer and it doesn’t operate on very windy days. That hike is easy, well sign posted and regularly used. The trail up this mountain is interesting and fun. Breathtaking views over Cape Town and False Bay. Lions Head Hike. From any of these places, Table Mountain does look as flat as a table. In fact, few … Terrain – rocks, boulders, occasional chains and ladders, footpath at the very end of the trail. Difficulty – 3 out of 5* Nice views of Cape Town city center and its surroundings. The trail follows the cable car line almost from the start except for the last bit where it goes around the mountain before ascending to the top. There is no shortage of routes up Table Mountain – about 35 ranging from unfrequented to … Soon after that, you’ll see another split the right route goes down on the Kasteelspoort trail. Finishing point (on the top) – 100 m away from Hely Hutchinson Reservoir. On a nice day, you can see False Bay and the mountain range along the coast. People throw a lot of general words around on the topic of difficulty levels when hiking Table Mountain, such as moderate, challenging, difficult and easy. Yes, it is true that you will need upper body strength and good coordination to scramble effectively. The answer to that common question is yes, quite frankly, you do. Table Mountain is Mother city’s most famous attraction and a must-visit place in Cape Town. Although these scrambles have grades determining the route difficulty level, it ultimately boils down to individual ability. There is no admission fee for Table Mountain except if you walk up from Kirstenbosch (on the Skeleton Gorge trail), then you pay ZAR 75/US$5 entrance fee to the Botanical garden. Out of the four trails we’ve done this route has the best views of Lion’s Head (better from Table Mountain itself), Camps Bay, and Cape Peninsula, and the cable car. The route starts at Skeleton Gorge, about 700 m from Upper Table Car Station. The top of basically level and three sided. This is very much true and meaningful with the Table Mountain hiking routes. Some people deal well with bush and loose rock; most don’t. This route is suitable for families with children and doesn’t involve any scrambling or climbing. The beautiful landscape on the top of Table Mountain, The only challenge is the heat, it gets scorching in summer, there is no shade, Finishing point – the top of Skeleton Gorge near Hely Hutchinson Reservoir, Starting point – the top of Skeleton Gorge, Finishing point – Upper Cable Car station, Terrain – boardwalks, boulders, rocky parts. If you wish to hike the routes on Table Mountain with difficult navigation levels alone, then tackle them with a guide or experienced hiker a few times first. The technical routes are a whole other ball game. It’s important to bring enough water and maybe some snacks for this route. The Constantia Wine Farms, Winetasting in Cape Town. With years of industry experience, we have become experts in the local tourism industry. Bear to the left and walk along the western flank until you reach a point of the triangle on the north. The walk back is more difficult for more details read the description below. Known as the "Whiskey" route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. Thank You! Clouds are another thing to watch for. The landscape along the trail is quite amazing with wired rock formations, narrow passages between two rocks, etc. You could do the Table Mountain walk in around 2 hours, keeping a steady pace. One of the most scenic and technically challenging trails in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, this 4.3-mile hike runs from Caesars Head State Park to Jones Gap State Park. HIKING IN TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK. Table Mountain hiking in wet weather and on slick terrain is problematic, increasing the difficulty of the hike considerably. Get advice from a source you can trust. https://www.alltrails.com/.../western-cape/table-mountain-national-park A 2-day ticket includes 2 walking tours, a seal & harbor boat cruise, and a sunset bus. There are over 350 trails that lead to the top for all types of hikers, from casual strollers to the more experienced ones. If you walk on any other trail up and down (Platteklip Gorge, India Venster, or Kasteelspoort) you don’t have to pay anything. This trail can be walked as a loop starting and finishing on the Pipe Track. Table Mountain hike difficulty levels explained Table Mountain hike difficulty levels and hiking information. Learn how your comment data is processed. India Venster is difficult to navigate and can be dangerous if you don’t know the way. If you’d been hiking on Table Mountain up above Camps Bay in 1870 you may have spotted a dismantled steam train being laboriously pulled up Kasteel Poort, a ravine that runs from the top to the bottom of the mountain. A steep climb over rocks and boulders on the Diagonal trail. Renting a car is the easiest way of moving around Cape Town. The route is not hard, however, as it features only a 68-foot gain in elevation. Beautiful landscape and bizarre-shaped rocks on the top of Table Mountain. That is why it’s important to research routes carefully and pay attention when reading the hike description. The climb itself can be quite demanding with a lot of large steps over the Camel's Hump and a scramble just before the summit. Stunning views of Cape Point, Hout Bay, Muizenberg, Strand, Gordons Bay, etc. The next split is at 4,5 km, the left route is the Diagonal trail, the right route is the Kasteelspoort trail. You do, of course, get very technical routes that involve climbing and exposure to big, dangerous drops. If you’d like to do this route but don’t feel confident enough to go on your own you can join a guided tour up Table Mountain on the India Venster trail. If you walk up Table Mountain following the Platteklip Gorge or India Venster trails you’ll end up about 700 m away from the Upper Cable Car Station. Going down you get pretty much to the same place where you start the walk. It’s much faster than walking down, a cable car ride takes about 5 minutes. a guided tour up Table Mountain on the India Venster trail, Table Mountain guest cottage with private garden, If you’re planning to use the hop-on-hop-off bus you can. As an easier alternative, you can walk around Table Mountain following the Pipe Track without climbing to the top. On this trail, you get some of the best views of Lion’s Head, Camps Bay, and Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most scenic drives in Cape Town. The Cape mountain is rather steep, and though some Table Mountain hiking routes are not as abrupt as others, you still need to be at least moderately fit to enjoy a hike to the top. Beautiful Kirstenbosch Garden; the sky bridge is not to miss here. Difficulty – 5 out of 5, it’s the most challenging and dangerous route up Table Mountain, not suitable for children or elderly people. This way it’s more challenging than the other way around due to the long and sometimes steep ascent from Skeleton Gorge to Maclear’s Beacon. Stunning views of Camps Bay and Lion’s Head from a look-out point on the Diagonal route. To be honest, I have been surprised at how frightened some individuals can get on hikes. The last bit is on a footpath with stairs. At 2,7 km there is the first split, the left trail (Diagonal) climbs up the mountain, the left continues on the Pipe track. It’s definitely one of our favorite hiking trails in Cape Town. The shortest hikes up the front face of the landmark mountain are the steepest, and therefore, not the easiest. Both routes summit near the cableway and many people choose to hike up and then ride the cable car back down. One uses the Nairobi-Nakuru route but branches at a place called Flyover towards Njambini. The route takes 3.5 hours and although difficult, promises breathtaking views and the likelihood of having the mountain all to yourself. At the same time, you don’t want to miss out on something that you could possibly love. Want to know more ABOUT US ? It outlines the most key factors to consider before, during and after an upcoming hike. Overall hiking trails up Table Mountain are more difficult than Lion’s Head hike. On hikes, scrambles are graded and indicate Table Mountain hike difficulty levels, but on frequently hiked routes how one handles heights is often a significant factor. In cooler months (April – October) you can walk pretty much any time just make sure you won’t get a lot of rain. About India Venster hike up Table Mountain. The ascent starts from the beginning first you go up wooden stairs, then on a footpath with occasional rocky steps. The route is pretty straightforward, there is a sign at the start of the trail. “Wouldn't you know, it's a bit difficult to rate this from 1 to 48. You can pretty much combine all Table Mountain hiking trails with each other. The way down is quite easy; you just follow the Kasteelspoort trail all the way to the Pipe track and from there continue walking back to Kloof Nek parking. They do take less time to hike, though. Parking – along Tafelberg road (on the left) past the Lower Cable Car station there is a parking spot right at the start of the trail but it’s often full. We can recommend using World Nomads insurance company, They specialize in covering adventure activities like hiking and diving. Table Mountain hike difficulty levels and Table Mountain hiking. A steep descent down to the Pipe Track from the top. You can start going down but before check out the Diving board, it’s about 400 m ahead at the Old Cable Car station. The beacon is about halfway. If you walk up the Skeleton Gorge or Kasteelspoort trails you’ll have to walk 5 km on the top of Table Mountain to get to the cable car station first. *all trail data including elevation profiles and maps for the post we got from our Garmin Fenix GPS watch. Get an instant quote right now! It’s a nice route that offers very different from the cable car side views. There are free guided walks on the top of Table Mountain that anybody can join. This route has the best views of Cape Town, Lion’s Head, and Camps Bay, and many other city attractions. Start: Pipe Track above Camps Bay, Cape Town Finish: back down on the pipe, or at the cableway car park Duration: five hours or so Fitness: moderate to difficult Our tip: the path lies between Kasteelspoort and the city (about 500m before the Kasteelpoort turn off), so you can start from either end of the Pipe Track – Kloof Nek or Theresa Avenue Important note Table Mountain National Park was reopened to the public under Lockdown Level 3 on 1 June 2020. Platteklip Gorge Trail. 1. Many a hiker has found the 2.5 kilometre hike putting their fitness, and their fear of heights, to the test You can do a guided hike up Table Mountain in this case the price depends on the chosen tour. If you’re planning to go up or down with the cable car you can buy a combined ticket that includes the bus, the cable car, and a free city walking tour. When climbing Table Mountain, one of the seven New Wonders of Nature, you’re always in for a thrilling but tough walk. Hike Addicts is a local owner operated Cape Town Tour Company. Aerial view of Cape Town from a hiking trail on Table Mountain. Be cautious. However, if you can contend with the difficult terrain and are an excellent climber then you’re in for one of the most spectacular routes. I wouldn’t recommend it for inexperienced hikers, people with a fear of heights, or not very fit people. Finishing point (on the top) – 700 m away from the cable car station. There are four different sightseeing routes including one that goes to the Lower Cable Car Station (the red route) and one that goes to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (the blue route). You can buy tickets at the upper cable car station on the top. At the station, you can find bathrooms, a coffee shop, a souvenir shop, several look-out points with benches, and a drinking fountain (at the exit of the cable car). If you’re a couple of people sharing a smallish car it won’t be expensive to rent a car for a couple of days. Somewhere in the middle when you reach the rocky walls of Table Mountain you start scrambling over rocks and ladders. So, then, do you need to be fit to hike up the famous Table Mountain? Their insurance policy is very flexible it can cover the entire trip or only a specific day. We earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The easier Table Mountain routes, such as Platteklip Gorge, can become more technical and challenging if mist or rain happen to come in. However, there are plenty of hikes around the foot of the mountain and along Table Mountain National Park that do not reach the summit. Both routes end about 500 m away from the Diving board, a popular cliff for taking thrilling photos. Hikers must proceed with care. If you come up here on a clear day you won’t be disappointed. Perhaps the most difficult and interesting of all the hiking trails in Georgia, the Arkaquah Trail at Brasstown Bald will take you on both a challenging hike and a journey through time. Hiking Table Mountain is one of the most exciting things to do in Cape Town. The Watkin Path: another hard route to the top. Many very steep climbs over rocks using ladders and chains. The route is not physically easy (as mentioned, all routes to the top are challenging) but it’s not very technical. It’s the best route to walk on a hot summer day. The trail is exposed to the sun for the most part of the day there is no shade to hide. The walk to Skeleton Gorge and back to the cable car is about 10 km. As the saying goes, “The best reward comes after the hardest climb”. Hiking across rugged terrain are much more strenuous than along a well-defined trail. The entire trail is marked with yellow footprints/arrows on rocks, it’s easy to follow. The views from the top are truly spectacular you can see pretty much the entire city and some of its surroundings. The trail starts inside the garden and there are several signs at different parts of Kirstenbosch indicating the way to Skeleton Gorge. Despite being the most popular route the views on the Platteklip Gorge are the least impressive out of the four different trails up Table Mountain described in this post. I’ve learned a lot about people and their fear of heights from guiding tours on Table Mountain. Regular scrambling routes on Table Mountain vary from minor scrambling along the rocky river bed on Skeleton Gorge to more advanced scrambling up India Venster using staples and chains. Parking – there are two quite big parking areas inside Kirstenbosch Garden. This route travels directly beneath the cable car for much of the hike. The cable car operates daily from 8am (first car up) to 3pm (last car up)/4pm (last car down). If you’re looking for more places to hike in Cape Town have a look at Cape Point hiking trails – breathtaking scenery and incredible hiking experience. 3 hours (3 1/2 hours) Tackle this exciting and spectacular route … You pass the cable car parking, and about 1km up is another parking spot, with the launch point for a walk with a little building and a map (the name now alludes me, but it was something like flat canyon). The views from the top of Table Mountain are truly spectacular. We experienced everything on this blog and wrote every word. It allows you to … Most tourists stick to the viewing platform near the cable station. This trail is the ultimate route for adventure lovers and adrenaline seekers. A slippery rocky path that is a bit tricky for walking down. After all, you don’t want to commit to something that you will not enjoy or cannot do. We’ve done this trail many times, we used to come here once a week to run up and down a couple of times preparing for trekking in Nepal. Just like hiking up Lion’s Head to walk up Table Mountain is free. A steeper and a bit more difficult climb in the second part of the hike. Don’t worry about skipping the hiking part if you take the cable car there are a couple of very nice trails on the top of the mountain. Posted on Published: November 27, 2020 Categories HIKING, South Africa. But the reward at the top, with a circuit all the way around, provides a spectacular vista. Going up following the Diagonal route and down Kasteelspoort or the other way around though Kasteelspoort is a nicer one for going down. The rocks can get incredibly slippery. You don’t have to go all the way to the gorge you can just walk a little bit and turn around. There you’ll see a sign indicating the India Venster trail and the first yellow footprints (behind the sign). On the top don’t miss a water reservoir with a beautiful white-sand beach, it’s just 50 m from the end of the trail. This was the work of Thomas Stewart, a young hydraulic engineer from Scotland, who had been given the task of building a reservoir on top of Table Mountain. While various full day hikes up Table Mountain may be a little more gradual, they take longer but are typically more enjoyable for hikers on the ascend. It’s the longest route as well for both distance and time it takes to complete. It’s a popular route and it gets quite busy on weekends. Starting point – Kloof Nek parking at the turn-off to Tafelberg Road, Finishing point (on the top) – 200 m away from the Diving board, Terrain – rocky/gravel footpath, rocks, and boulders, rocky stairs. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You can join a guided walk on the Pipe Track that return transportation from your hotel in Cape Town, a guide, snacks and water. Depending on what side of Table Mountain you’re on from the top you can see pretty much everything. Right after Maclear’s Beacon, it’s a steady downhill all the way to Skeleton Gorge.