Hiking Table Mountain is not a walk in the park as one might expect. We share our tips to get to the top
Hiking Table Mountain is a rite of passage for visitors to Cape Town. The iconic giant defines the “Mother City” in the same way that Rio has a port, New York has a statue and San Francisco has a bridge family holidays.
It is said that this mountain is one of the oldest in the world. Its formation began about 280 million years ago and some of its rocks date back 600 million years (long before the Himalayas).
At 1,085 meters high, it is not the height of the mountain but its breadth is what is most impressive. The scarred north face stretches across the horizon, capped by a vast plateau stretching for three kilometres.
Two subsidiary peaks flank the main mountain: Cabeza de León (669m) to the northwest and Pico del Diablo (1,000m) to the northeast. Together with Signal Hill, these dramatic peaks form the natural harbor amphitheater of City Bowl and Table Bay.
Hiking Table Mountain is on most tourists’ bucket lists, but is often underrated given its proximity to the city. Here, we share 10 tips to help you reach the top.
- When in doubt, choose Platteklip Gorge
There are numerous routes available for hiking on Table Mountain. When in doubt, opt for the Platteklip Gorge, the easiest and shortest (but also the steepest) route up the mountain. It follows a well-maintained trail up a deep ravine on the front face of the mountain and is the route taken by António de Saldanha on the first recorded ascent of Table Mountain in 1503. For an alternative route with even better views, opt for Skeleton Gorge (6.2 km, 4 hours). - Start in the right place
Hiking Table Mountain through the Platteklip Gorge doesn’t start at the cable car parking lot. You can …start there, but it will add a long trek through the mountain. With this in mind, if you take a taxi, make sure you are dropped off at the Platteklip Gorge car park 2km further on.
Likewise, if you go down the Platteklip Gorge, you will end up 2 km from the cable car station. On your way down, look for a sign pointing to the lower cable station. At this point you may want to turn off Platteklip like we did and use the traverse trail across the mountain to the Lower Cable Station where you can catch a bus or find a taxi more easily.
- Don’t expect a walk in the park
According to Africa Check …there have been 251 deaths on Table Mountain, a number that would almost certainly be higher if not for the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) team. In 2018, WSAR completed 477 rescues or searches in the Western Cape and estimates that more than 80% of them were carried out in and around Table Mountain. (That makes an average of seven per week.)
WSAR spokesperson Johan Marais says “People underestimate Table Mountain. “They misjudge the size of the mountain and are not prepared.”
Even the so-called “easier” route of Platteklip Gorge can be a challenge if you are not up to speed, if the weather changes or if you start late on a hot day. Don’t expect a walk in the park.
- In fact, pack like you’re climbing a mountain.
Given Cape Town’s deep blue skies and postcard familiarity, it’s easy to forget that Table Mountain is a wild place.
Pack like you’re climbing a mountain. Bring sunscreen, snacks, decent walking shoes, a jacket or coat, and at least 1.5 liters of water per person. The weather can change quickly and even under summer skies, the summit can be stormy, so don’t give up the fleece. If you attempt one of the less traveled routes, be sure to bring a map.
- Don’t try it alone
Hiking Table Mountain can be done alone, but there have been several safety issues and reports of crime, so our advice is to hike with a friend or join a tour .
Keep the emergency numbers listed on the SANParks website handy, never show your valuables and, if approached, hand over your belongings without objection.
- Be patient.
In the height of summer, you may find yourself with plenty of company while hiking Table Mountain. At the top, you’re likely to see tourists hogging the best photo spots or generally causing a nuisance. - Explore the table
Most tourists stick to the viewing platform near the cable station. In fact, few are aware that they have not actually “finished” the mountain given that the highest point of Maclear Lighthouse is 2.5 km from the Upper Cable Station.
If you have time, go to the top station of the cable car to Maclear’s Beacon Walk… detailed here . Trails around the top of the mountain offer 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay and the rest of Table Mountain National Park.
- Don’t get complacent…
Climbing Table Mountain is exhausting, so it’s natural to feel a sense of relief on the way down. It would be a mistake, however, to be complacent. Steep steps and loose rocks make it easy to slip and fall if you’re not paying attention. - Pre-purchase tickets for the cable car
If you are hiking Table Mountain only in one direction, you will need to take the cable car in the other direction. Purchase tickets online beforehand, so your only wait will be for the cable car and not the ticket office as well.
Please note that you may have to queue for an hour or more to catch the cable car down the mountain, especially in high season. Leave plenty of time for the return trip, especially if you have plans for later in the day.
- Have a backup plan…
If you plan to take the cable car down after hiking Table Mountain, be aware that it may close in the middle of the day depending on high winds, bad weather, or thick cloud cover (known as a “tablecloth”).
After our descent, we met a lone traveler who had spent just a few minutes at the top because she wanted to catch the last car after it was announced that the cable car was closing due to high winds.
In the same situation, you may want to take your time at the summit and descend on foot instead of rushing to catch a cable car. Either way, leave plenty of time before nightfall to get back down the mountain.