A walk with a view of Table

Mountain

Table Mountain, that famous natural wonder, that is visible from 150km away is one of the things that makes Cape Town such a special place. There are hundreds of walks all over the mountain with magnificent views all over the peninsula.

Of course the views of the mountain itself are better if you are not actually on the mountain! There are many wondeful places to get a good view of the mountain. The Robbin Island Ferry, The Waterfront, The city centre, to name a few. 

My favourite view is from the other side of Table Bay. ie. From the beach that runs from Milnerton to Blouberg and on up the West Coast. Here is a wonderful expanse of beach. You can walk all day if you like. And all the time, just the other side of the Bay, the most wonderful view of Table Mountain.

 See Table Mountain from all angles on a guided hike with Ridgway Ramblers

Assistant Table Mountain

Walking Guides

Ridgway Ramblers has 2 permanently employed assistant guides who will grab any opportunity to walk on Table Mountain. They are enthusiastic hikers with a real love for nature. Easy going and fun loving they are happy to go on any route and for any length of time.

If you would like Judy and Roderick to join you on your ramble. Please let us know when booking.

Judy, is five years old and of uncertain heritage. She especially enjoys the tougher routes, which involve a bit of scrambling.

What Roderick lacks in agility, he makes up for in enthusiasm.

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/about/

Walking up Table Mountain via

Dark Gorge

I have always found Dark Gorge to be one of the quickest and most rewarding walks up Table Mountain. It is one of the gorges on the Eastern side of  Table Mountain. It leads onto the saddle between Table Mountain itself and Devils Peak and is found almost directly above Newlands. To get there you get onto the contour path from Newlands forest and turn towards Rhodes Memorial. Dark Gorge is the gorge after Newlands Ravine. There is a small path leading up fromthe contour path and keep your eyes out for cairns to direct you. The first half is steep and takes you through quite dense indigenous forest with some enormous old Rooiels trees. Although the path is a bit crumbly under foot, this section is relatively easy. At about the half way stage you reach a large overhang on the right hand side. This is a good place to stop and have some tea. From here the route does become a bit more difficult.

The bottom section of Dark Gorge.

Although no more than a scramble and no ropes are required, I wouldn’t recommend going beyond this point if you are nervous of heights.  It is also important at this point to ensure that you keep to the left hand side of the gorge. The right takes you into Dark Gully which is a lot steeper and more dangerous.

The overhang found half way up Dark Gorge

Having decided to keep going, you follow the gorge up as it gets narrower and steeper. Turning around to look out over the suburbs the closing canyon walls remind you of the top of Platteklip gorge which also narrows at the top. The final 100m involves a scramble up a steep and crumbly bank with only small shrubs for handholds. Eventually emerging at the top onto the saddle just the other side of the pulpit from Newlands Ravine.

Dark Gorge as it narrows at the top

Hiking on Table Mountain on

rainy days

It isn’t often that Cape Town has a series of bad weather days. Usually after a day or two of rain the sun comes out and we have perfect hiking weather. Clear, windless and relatively cool.

However, occasionally, if you are an addicted hiker you just cannot avoid walking in the rain. Perhaps growing up in the UK acclimatised me to these conditions but lots of South Africans and visitors also take the opportunity to put on their raincoats, and get out there.

Table Mountain in the rain

And believe it or not. It is not only fun but the mountain has her own magic at these times. Have you ever stopped to look up at the mountain inbetween showers and noticed the waterfalls cascading down the slopes from several places? Even a relatively short walk, for example the contour path above Kirstenbosch harbours 3 magnificent waterfalls that very quickly slow to a trickle once the weather improves.  Skeleton gorge and Nursery Ravine both completely change character with water running everywhere. On the otherside of the mountain strolling along the Pipe Track becomes an adventure of a different sort as in several places a steady trickle pours onto the path.

So if you have wet weather gear, the next time it rains consider a walk on Table Mountain. You’ll be surprised how many crazy people you will see there!!

The Rameron Pigeon

 hiking Trail

 Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve

The Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve is found around 3.5 hours drive from Cape Town between the towns of Vanrhnsdorp and Nieuwoudtville. The Rameron Pigeon Trail is just one of the multi day hikes found here, and believe me, if you enjoy hiking this is a wonderful hike. Be warned however, don’t take someone who is not fit or who has never hiked before. This is a tough trail. Each day a number of surprises await, you may have to squeeze through a narrow gap between rocks, lower yourself down a chain, locate and clamber down a ladder, cross a river……..the list is endless. Crawling on all fours with a full pack on your back becomes quite normal. The trail is well marked by cairns  some extremely large. Somehow I imagine the people who designed this trail really enjoyed themselves!!

The trail leads through many narrow gaps

We followed this gap for a few hundred metres

One of the many ladders to negotiate

Of course, this being a South African hiking trail, the panoramic views are breathtaking whilst the natural beauty and solitude of the area make this an absolute world class trail. Historically there is also lots to see, from San paintings, to stone houses, graves and stone traps left by the early settlers.

A beautiful spot for lunch

A view of the Knersvlakte

View of the Oorlogskloof gorge

Hiking on Table Mountains Echo

Valley

Echo Valley is the path that seperates The Back Table and The Main Table. It is the path that runs from one side of Table Mountain to the other in a route that is parallel to the walk from the cable car to Maclears Beacon. Whilst the main table is 1000m high, this path is almost 200m lower at around 850m.

From the Main Table it can be reached via 3 paths. One directly behind Platteklip Gorge, one about half way towards Maclears Beacon, and the 3rd from Smuts track.  The first route has some ladders to negotiate as you drop that 150m very quickly. The 2nd route is very steep and the 3rd route, although it has no ladders does include some very minor scrambling.

Once on Echo Valley the path is generally on the level and clearly marked with quite a few boardwalks and small bridges as you cross quite a few rivers. An excellent path for the viewing of the Red Disa in February. Despite its close proximity to the main table it is generally very quiet and peaceful. Several paths lead from Echo Valley towards the Back Table.

A boardwalk section of Echo Valley Path.

Table Mountain as one of the seven

natural wonders of the world

Table Mountain, is one of the 28 natural sites worldwide, that are competing, to be one of the final 7 to be selected as finalists, in the competition to find the natural wonders of the world. The finalists will be announced in Zurich, on the 11 November 2011. (11/11/11)

The decision will be based on the number of online votes.

Whether you are a regular walker on Table Mountain, live in Cape Town the city that is shadowed by this wonderful natural feature, or have visited us, and witnessed the natural beauty of the area. You cannot fail to appreciate why this area deserves to be a finalist.

So please log in, and place your vote.

http://www.votefortablemountain.com/

A beautiful half day hike on Table

Mountain

The Cecelia Waterfall route on Table Mountain is one of the most beautiful and also quite short. A fit person can complete the full circuit in less than 2 hours. It is quite steep in places so still gives the feeling of a good workout. 

Leaving from Kirstenbosch gardens you need to head directly towards the mountain.  It is better to Park at Top Gate (Rycroft Gate) as the route takes you from the Gardens towards Constantia Nek. Just head straight up following signs to the contour path. Once on the contour path, follow the signs towards Constantia Nek. Look for a path leading up the mountain on your right, signposted Rooikat Ravine. This is your route.

Initially you head straight up. It is steep but keep going. The rewards are worth it! Here is is quite open and you enjoy wonderful views of the Gardens and right over False Bay. However, on reaching the top the path heads down and becomes surrounded by indigenous forest. It leads through one impressive little river gorge and up the other side. Again down, this time into the little gorge that holds Cecelia Waterfall. Here is a perennial stream that although small stretches over a wide area of cliff before falling 10m to the floor. The steady trickle ensures a green moss lining on the wall, and several trees cling precariously to the cliff face providing an altogether fairy like atmosphere to the area. In the summer it is wonderful to stand under the steadily dripping trickle and enjoy a short shower in the shade before moving on.

The moss lined walls of Cecelia Waterfall

From here the path climbs out of the gorge and meets a junction with another path. Go straight ahead and start a steep descent of the mountain back onto the contour path in Cecelia Forest. From here it is a 15 minute walk back into the Gardens and back to your car.

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a Table Mountain hike and discover the secret beauty that only the locals know

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/half-day-options/

Never to young to enjoy a hike on Table

 Mountain

On the 1st May I had one of my most enjoyable walks on The Table Mountain Chain. I always enjoy walking or hiking, wherever, and whoever I am with. But Mia and Robyn 2 nine year old girls from Cape Town, really made the whole day very special.

Mia and Robyn on the way up Lions Head

For their first mountain we chose Lions Head. An easier walk to start with. Especially as both girls claimed to have a fear of heights!! Full of excitment we set off. The girls running a skipping ahead. Luckily they stopped to admire the view over Camps Bay before they left me too far behind!

We continued around the path and had to decide whether to use the chains or take the easier route. After a little discussion we decided to try the chains first. The girls were both nervous but determined not to look down. Of course they both scrambled up with ease and bounded onto the next section. Again the final ladder filled them with trepidation, but having managed the chains, they went for it. Easy!!.. And before we knew it we were at the top.

Celebrating at the top of Lions Head

Next stop. Platteklip Gorge!!

Sleepover on Table Mountain

A 2 day 1 night hiking trail on Table Mountain

Imagine spending the night in a wilderness area right in the middle of a large cosmopolitan city! The only city in the world where an opportunity like this exists is Cape Town.

Watch the sunrise from the top of Table Mountain

The accommodation used for this trip is the overseers cottage which overlooks the Southern Suburbs of the city. This is an old stone cottage which has been tastefully decorated and kitted out to sleep up to up to 16 people in comfort.

 The hike into the accommodation can be via a number of routes. You can even avoid the steep climb up the mountain. Take the cable car and walk from there. This is still a good 4 hours walking, but on a level or even slightly down hill. Again for your second day, you can do another full days hiking or choose to have a relaxing morning and stroll down an easy route in the afternoon.

Once you arrive at the cottage. Relax and put your feet up with a sundowner. Ridgway Ramblers will transport your luggage to the cottage, and then prepare a sumptuous supper.

This beautiful stone cottage offers a wonderful overnight break on Table Mountain

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/spend-the-night-on-table-mountain/