During the first few months of the year, one of the greatest attractions of Table Mountain is the Red Disa Flower. Relatively rare, this bright flower is the floral emblem to the Western Cape, and always a pleasure to see.

The Disa is a South African Orchid, of which 131 species are present. The name Disa, originated in Swedish mythology!! This a result of being first described by a Swedish botanist in the 1700’s. The Disa of mythology, was a young woman, presented to the king wearing a fish net!

Disa uniflora, is the correct scientific name, for the more commonly named “red disa” or “Pride of Table Mountain” It is pollinated by the mountain pride butterfly, which is very strongly attracted to the colour red, and will be attracted to a red hiking bag, or socks, as much as to the flower.

Places to see the Disa on Table Mountain are in the perenial streams or permanently damp areas. Thus the Aquaduct, Window Gorge, and Myburghs Waterall offer some of the best viwing.

Red Disa in the Aquaduct. Table Mountain

An abundance of Red Disa's.

From sea level it can often appear that Table Mountain is only assailable by those skilled in mountain climbing. The sheer cliffs that tower over the city and Atlantic Ocean, seem dark and foreboding, with no evidence of foot paths, or routes for the casual walker and hiker.

However, looks can be deceiving. Anyone of moderate fitness, and even those with a fear of heights, can get to the top of Table Mountain under their own steam. 

From the city side, one of the most popular routes is Platteklip Gorge. To get to the start, you continue along Tafelberg Road, past the lower cable station, for about a kilometre. The route is a steep zig zag set of steps, which reaches the top, through a narrow steep sided gorge, only 15 minutes from the upper cableway station. The views over the city, and Table Bay are truly magnificent, and well worth the effort.

A view of Platteklip gorge, from Devils Peak

Another route on the city side, is India Venster. This route involves some easy climbing, (although no ropes are required) and should only be attempted, when in the company of someone who is entirely familiar with the route, and by those with no fear of heights. The path leads to a point almost directly below the cable car, from where is follows Fountain ledge around the mountain above Camps Bay.

Above Camps Bay, there are several routes onto the Back Table, leading off the historic Pipe Track. The most popular of these is Kasteelspoort which begins with a relatively gentle climb as it cuts diagonally accross the mountain, before becoming steeper and getting into the ravine itself. Like Platteklip this route, although steep, has no exposure and should be assailable by anyone of moderate fitness. Other routes on this section of the mountain include, Woody Ravine, Corridor Ravine and Diagonal Path. Of varying levels of difficulty, all have unbeatable views of the Atlantic Ocean, The Twelve Apostles, Lions Head, etc.

The Kasteelspoort look out point

On the other side of the mountain, above Kirstenbosch, again, there are several routes to choose from. What makes the effort even more worthwhile, is the differences between the different areas of the Mountain. Although covering a relatively small area, Table Mountain creates her own weather patterns, and the vegetation and character, of the wetter False Bay side of the mountain is totally different from the drier Western seaboard. Thus whilst above the city and camps Bay, the paths have little shade, and the vegetation is relatively sparse. Above Kirstenbosch, you ascend through thick indigenous forests, and follow river beds, which continue to flow as a small trickle, right through the summer. The most popular routes here include, Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine, or the easiest route of all, The concrete road which ascends the Back Table from Constantia Nek.

Skeleton Gorge

Whichever route you choose, once on top of Table Mountain, a new world awaits. Away from the cableway, you see few people, and feel yourself to be in a complete wilderness area. The streams are pure and clean. The fynbos thick and beautiful. The 5 reservoirs add beauty, and a visit to the small waterworks museum a wonderful addition to the day.

So to answer the title question. How do I climb Table Mountain? Easy. Find someone who knows the mountain well. Take plenty of water and be prepared for all weather conditions. Then lose yourself for a few hours, or even a whole day. A walk on Table Mountain offers not only excercise, but a while away from the stresses and strains of the modern world.

Hiking to the highest point on

Table Mountain

The Highest point on Table Mountain, is Maclears Beacon, which is found at a height of 1086m above sea level. (19m higher than the upper cable way station)

The plaque on Maclears Beacon

The beacon itself is 3m high, and was erected in 1865, by Sir Thomas Maclear. He built it as part of an experiment to measure the circumference of the earth. For his efforts towards this aim, Sir Thomas was awarded the Queens medal in 1869. He also has a crator on the moon, and the town of Maclear named after him.

A group of hikers celebrate reaching Maclears Beacon

To reach the highest point on Table Mountain, is the aim of many hikers, and there are several routes, that can be taken to this point. The easiest way is from the upper cableway. From here, a leisurely hours hike along the relatively flat top, will bring you to the cairn. For those feeling more energetic but still with limited time, the steep Platteklip gorge brings you to a point, 30 minutes from the beacon.

The best routes however, include a full days hike from anywhere on the Back Table. The most common route is from Kirstenbosch Gardens, and up Skeleton Gorge. This route is called Smuts Track, as it follows the regular footsteps, of Jan Smuts, one of South Africas great statesmen. But you could also ascend the mountain up Kasteelspoort and take the path through Echo Valley.

Whichever route you choose, the views from Maclears Beacon are magnificent.

The view at Maclears Beacon

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, which is found near the town of Stellenbosch (+/- 1 hours drive from Cape Town) has some of the greatest walking in the Western Cape. Two of the best, are the Panorama Trail, and the Swartboskloof Trail. Both are about 17km in length and take a good to 6 to 8 hours to complete.

They both lead off the dirt road that circles the reserve, beginning only 500 metres apart. However they lead up opposite slopes of the mountains, through pristine fynbos. The Panorama trail, has magnificent views of the entire reserve, which includes the smaller Assegaaibos reserve, on the other the side of the mountains. The Swartboskloof trail leads to a viewpoint of the entire Helderberg Valley, from where you can see, Gordons Bay and the Strand, as well as Cape Town in the distance. 

Jonkershoek valley from The Panorama Trail

Both trails meet again, for the steep descent back to the dirt road, from where they began. The descent down a kloof called Kurktrekkersnek, is steep and unrelenting. Anyone with bad knees be warned, this is a tough way down!!

Overlooking Gordons Bay and The Strand

For several years the highlight of a walk in Jonkershoek was the pristine and beautiful vegetation. However following the devastationg fires of 2009, the reserve was closed to hikers for 8 months, in order to allow the fynbos to regenerate. Fire is a natural part of the ecology of fynbos, but lots of stamping boots, (no matter how carefull the hiker) does not assist regeneration. The new growth is now developed enough to allow the trails to open again, and what a treat, to be able to see the recovery of the fynbos, over the next year.

The steep Kurktrekkersnek descent

One of the most enjoyable hiking routes up the Camps Bay side of Table Mountain, is the Diagonal route. This is an easy scramble route, that begins 500m, before the Kasteelpoort turn off the Pipe Track. The beginning is a steep climb up a well marked track, towards Blind Gully. Then at 500m, you turn right and follow the contour around Porcupine Buttress. Then another climb up Porcupine ravine before another right turn at 650m, takes you around Jubilee buttress. A final steep climb and you emerge at the top, meeting with the path to “Valley of the Red Gods”

Diagonal Path

Whilst the stretches along the contours offer a chance for the lungs and legs to recover from the steep sections. They also offer an opportunity to savour the views. This route is on the main table side of the 12 apostles, thus the view takes in all the apostles, the Atlantic Ocean and Camps Bay.

View of Camps Bay from the top of Diagonal Path

View of the back table from the top of Diagonal path

From the top, you can walk to main table via Valley of the Red gods and Echo Valley. Or follow the 12 apostles and descend via any of the routes descending onto the Pipe Track.