If you are looking for  not too strenuous walk on Table Mountain, with absolutely fantastic sea views, look no further than “The Pipe Track” The Pipe Track proper leads from Kloof Nek, to Slangholie Ravine, although it is well worth continuing along an extension to Corridor Ravine. The entire distance, from Kloof Nek, to the bottom of corridor ravine is just over 6km. The path generally stays on a contour of around 3oom reaching a maximum height of 500m, between Slangholie and Corridor Ravines.

Historically the Pipe Track is also interesting. It was constructed in 1887, to lay the pipeline from the reservoirs on Table Mountain, to Cape Town. The waterworks museum, found on top of the mountain, still has some wonderful old photographs of the path in the early 1900’s. It is amazing to think, that all the construction materials and tools, for the dams construction, were hauled by man or donkey power along this path. The actual pipe that was layed begins in Orange Kloof, where it goes through the mountain, to emerge  at Slangholie ravine. From here it follows the path to Kloof Nek. Although no longer in use, many sections of the pipe are still plainly visible.

A stretch of the Pipe Track, with some of the original pipe.

 However, the real joy of this route, are the views. Overlooking Camps Bay and the coastal road leading to Hout Bay, the sheer cliffs of the 12 apostels and the small band of land before the Atlantic Ocean form some of the best landscape in the world.

Some of the views taken from The Pipe Track

 

For the return journey, you have the choice, of gently retracing your steps. Or if you are feeling more energetic, there are numerous routes leading from the Pipe Track, up Table Mountain herself.