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Known as one of the natural wonders of the world, Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain stands proud of the city as it dominates its skyline. The views from all sides are breathtaking and the guided walks on offer will present you with the opportunity to explore the numerous ravines, the contour paths or be part of a select few people who have the privilege to spend a night in the Scout Mountain Club hut on the Back Table. Sunsets will knock your breath away, ones that you’ll remember for a long time.

Our guides are equipped for any of the mountain’s routes and are eager to show you the surrounding beauty of the route you choose. We will recommend a route for you based on your level of fitness.

Grades & Difficulty

There are so many hiking options available on Table Mountain that we can cater for all age groups and all levels of fitness and experience. Although we have 6 listed walks on Table Mountain, the itinerary is flexible and we will tailor make any route and consult with you about the various options before choosing a final route.

Hikes are graded as follows:

Table Mountain offers a route for everyone!

• Kloof Nek – Pipe Track – Corridor Ravine – Kasteelspoort - return
• A – Grade: Easy, no exposure to heights with mild exertion
• Hiking Time: Approximately 5 – 6 hours at a leisurely pace

For a long time this was one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets. Not easily recognised from the air, let alone the path, it is a fascinating art of nature. Yellowwood trees reach for the sky above through these gaping cracks in the rock.
Starting at Kloof Nek, the walk starts on the flat and easy Pipe Track. Breathtaking views of the sea and areas like Bakoven, Camps Bay add to the surrounding splendour as you head toward Corridor Ravine. The end of the Pipe Track signals your ascent – Corridor Ravine. A relatively simple uphill of 30 minutes will take you to the Twelve Apostle Path.

The customary lunch break will be within the bowels of Tranquillity Cracks where you can enjoy the variety of goods provided with your packed lunch in a pristine, tranquil & serene environment.

Once back on the trail, hikers can also see the Back Table where the historical Table Mountain drinking water reservoirs are situated.

The trail back goes past the remains of the old aerial runway that was used to ferry all building supplies to the Back Table during the construction period of the water reservoirs. Kasteelspoort is the return leg to the Pipe Track, the valley used to cart all the material up to the awaiting construction workers.

A flat rock, known by many locals as breakfast rock, still has anchor pins strutting from it – the last bit of evidence of the building activity over 100 years ago.

• Lower Cable Station – India Venster – Kasteelspoort – Pipe Track • B – C Grade: Moderate exposure to heights, tiring • Total Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours depending on fitness, at a leisurely pace

Without a person in the know, this route can be considered as a dangerous ascent as higher up the path can be rather deceiving as it appears to lead off the main path into treacherous terrain which often enough has had unpleasant consequences.

Starting at the Lower Cable Station, the walk starts with a few stairs before becoming a steeper rock step until you reach the Contour Path. A little breather at the junction will be taken before the path heads up India Venster Route. So called because viewing from the city the ravine looks like the shape of India. A picturesque venster (window) is seen in the rocks some 15 minutes after leaving the Contour Path. Waving at people coming up and down the easier way with the Cable Car is customary and reaching the base of mild rock scrambling gives you the opportunity to look at life below you as you have vast sweeping views of the city bowl below. A short rock scramble awaits you before you reach a spot just below the Upper Cable Station.

A sharp turn to the right takes you along Fountain Ledge giving you sweeping views all along the coast toward Llandudno, starting at Camps Bay. As the path heads “inland” a little more rock scrambling awaits you before the path continues to the junction where one either has a choice of going down Platteklip Gorge, walking toward the Upper Cable Station, take the Table Top route to Maclear’s Beacon or a right into the Valley of the Red Gods.

Valley of the Red Gods is the route to be taken if heading to the Scout Mountain Club Hut, the overnight facility.
The trail back goes past the remains of the old aerial runway that was used to ferry all building supplies to the Back Table during the construction period of the water reservoirs.

Kasteelspoort is the return leg to the Pipe Track, the valley used to cart all the material up to the awaiting construction workers. A flat rock, known by many locals as breakfast rock, still has anchor pins strutting from it – the last bit of evidence of the building activity over 100 years ago.

• Constantia Nek – Ash Valley – Smuts Track – Maclear’s Beacon
• A to B – Grade: Easy, mild exposure to heights with minimum exertion
• Hiking Time: Approximately 5 hours at a fair pace

Starting at the renowned Constantia Nek Restaurant, the path starts along a very short tar stretch before ascending up a well-cut log step path. At the top of this path you come onto a gravel road, which, after 15 minutes becomes a cement road. A gradual ascent gives you un-interrupted views of the Cape Town flats, picturesque at the best of times.

A mild 40 – 50 minute walk will take you past the old Wynberg overseers hut. An upgraded water fountain provides much appreciated cold water at this point and approximately 5 minutes after this stop the road is left to head into Ash Valley. Cape Indigenous fynbos surrounds you as you head toward the top of Nursery Ravine and then Skeleton Gorge, where in the shade of a mixture of indigenous and exotic forest trees a welcome lunch can be enjoyed.
Heading out from here takes you along Smuts Track, named after a famous politician in the 1930’s for this was one of his most favourite routes to the top of Table Mountain. The path takes you past the old aqueduct, a water channel built at the turn of the 1900’s and it is here that you are privileged to see the rare Disa, blooming from mid December toward the end of February and weather dependant a little into March.

A relatively mild uphill, interspersed with the odd mild rock scramble will bring you to the top of Table Mountain, more precisely Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point of Table Mountain at 1086m. A fantastic and most rewarding view of the city bowl greets you from here and as you cast your eye into the distance you take in the splendid views of the Cape flats to the Hottentots Holland Mountains on the right and Robben Island to the left.

A choice of two paths will lead you to the upper Cable Way station, the path right on the ledge of the Table will offer continuous views of the city below. Approximately 45 minutes from Maclear’s Beacon, along a flat path, will take you to the upper Cable Way station where you have the opportunity to relax in the well stocked restaurant, walk around and take in the views from all angles of the Peninsula before heading down Table Mountain via the Cable Way

• Kirstenbosch Gardens to the Back Table • Descend via Nursery Ravine or descend via Cable Car • B - Grade; Mostly moderate uphill hiking with some wooden ladders to climb • Hiking Time: 4½ – 5½ hours (depending on route choice)

Departing from internationally famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens this route follows a magical forest gorge up to the Back Table and the historical reservoirs. Regarded as one of the most popular routes, this route involves some adventurous climbing on a number of wooden ladders to get over exposed and rocky areas. As an excellent half-day option this route can be combined with a return hike down Nursery Ravine or, for full-day options, with a hike to Maclear’s Beacon and to the upper Cable Way station with a Cable Car descent. View the writing of the Constantia Nek to Maclear’s Beacon walk for the remaining route description once at the top of Skeleton Gorge

For most visitors to the city, this is the first choice route as it offers the fastest and most direct way to the top of Table Mountain, unless taking the easier option of using the Cable Car.

In the summer months it is best tackled early in the morning or late in the afternoon as the scorching sun at its height will take its toll on most people venturing on this steep path, especially those with very little water as there is none to be had on the way up.

Stone steps appear to have been made for giants and will tire you out very quickly if you try and take them too fast. Starting at Tafelberg Road you reach the Contour Path after 15 minutes where a stream (the only water on the way up) is overhung by shady bushes & trees. This will be the only shade for the remainder of the way up.

A small shady rocky outcrop signals the top of the gorge and the realisation that you have reached the top. From here you have the choice of heading off right toward the upper Cable Way station and in doing so spending time on the top taking in the views from above, the best vantage point Cape Town has to offer or adding an additional 1½ hours for a return leg to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on Table Mountain.

Should you choose to do this leg you’ll soon notice that the vegetation is remarkably different to that which you experienced in the gorge as poor soil and the force of the wind act as a bush cutter and keep the fynbos very low. Numerous birds can be observed in this area and if you are lucky enough you may well see the malachite sunbird, its metallic green plumage and long tail flashing in the sunlight.

Hikers choosing this leg have a further choice of walking down the gorge again or making the easier and much faster way down with the Cable Car. The relaxing restaurant offers a perfect setting on a warm summers day before the descent.

• Circular route from Suikerbossie Restaurant • Ascend Myburgh Ravine, descend via Llandudno Ravine • B – C Grade: Odd bit of C Grade in Myburgh Ravine • Hiking Time: 6 hours

Starting just below the Suikerbossie Restaurant on the “nek” between Llandudno and Hout Bay, the path contours below Geelklip Buttress offering splendid views of the surrounding rural areas of Hout Bay and the fishing harbour with the backdrop of the Sentinel.

The ascent is up Myburgh Waterfall Ravine where only 2 small sections warrant a C grade, the first being a short climb around the actual waterfall and higher up a three tier cascade. In winter the water cascade is obviously much stronger but still manageable.

Yellowwoods and other indigenous trees reach for the sky in this narrow valley as you head to the top of the cascade, particularly beautiful from mid December to end of February when the Disa is in bloom.

Once out of the forest canopy you are treated to majestic views of the Hout Bay Valley looking back where you came from and around the other side you have Judas Peak in front of you. A perfect place to stop for refreshments before heading on to the top of Llandudno Ravine from where the Atlantic Ocean will glisten in your eyes. Take the time to look back at the Apostle chain of the Table Mountain Range, Lions Head in the distance and beyond that Robben Island.

The descent is relatively steep on a well maintained path before levelling out and back to the waiting transport. Part of the old Apostle Battery, closed down in 1943, can be seen from the top of the ravine. These guns never fired a shot in anger but it is known that during its one and only practice shoot, all the house windows of small Llandudno below were broken.

This circular route offers the best of all in terms of terrain variety and the views around the Peninsula.

Half-day, Full-day and 2 day Hikes

The various options on Table Mountain will cater for your needs and requirements on half day, full day and overnight hikes. Most half-day walks will involve a walk to the top of the mountain, a light lunch and snacks before descending with the Cable Car. Its revolving floor ensures uninterrupted views of the mountain and views below.

Full-day hikes cater for more parts of the mountain and most will involve hiking up and down, in some cases a descent with the Cable Car. The overnight option gives you the opportunity to watch the sun set in the Southern sky, casting an array of colour over the mountain and then relax in front of a roaring fire with a chilled glass of liquid refreshment before the coals are ready to treat you to a delicious BBQ.

Safety

Table Mountain is quite simple but yet so majestic. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security as the weather is very unpredictable all year round. Described as a Mediterranean climate, you can easily experience downpours with chilling winds a few hours after setting off in glorious sunshine. Table Mountain must not be under estimated and needs to be respected. African Outdoor Adventures will always make sure you are adequately prepared to have a memorable experience.

Your guide will be well equipped to take the quickest and safest route down in the case of an emergency. Emergency numbers will be on hand at all times and a First Aid kit will be available on all outings.
All guests will be briefed before any outing on the route and safety procedures to be taken.

Route Options

African Outdoor Adventures prides itself in offering a route to suit your fitness levels and what you want to get out of the experience. We offer catering en route, braai’s (BBQ’s) at the overnight facility and interesting information related to the route and much more. Should any of the advertised routes not be what you are looking for please contact us so that we can tailor make a route to suit your specific needs.