One of the quieter hikes on Table

Mountain

Cecilea Ridge is one of the smaller and lesser known paths on Table Mountain. It leads from the Cecilia waterfall path directly up the mountain emerging onto the concrete road, just before the Overseers hut.

It is steep and there are a couple of places where you need to use your hands to climb up (or down), however, it is not what I would describe as a scramble route. So you can take the dogs, and anyone who may be scared of heights!! Despite being steep this is a much gentler route down the mountain than either Nursery or Skeleton especially for anyone with sore knees.

A steep section of Cecilia Ridge

To find the path at the top you need to keep an eye out on your left as soon as you have passed the Overseers cottage and the outcrop of rocks immediately following it. (this is if you are coming down the mountain) It is marked by a cairn but as the fynbos is about knee high here it is easy to miss it. The first 100 or so metres are flat and leads you to a rocky outcrop where the path seems to disappear.

The rocky outcrop at the beginning of the Cecilia Ridge path

Look to your right and you pick up the path leading straight down some rocky steps. From here the path is quite clear for most of the way down. The views of Kirstenbosch, Cecilia forest and the Southern suburbs are terrific. Unlike Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge there are no trees on this route to block the view.

The view of Kirstenbosch

The path emerges at the highest point of the waterfall path. Once on the waterfall path you can turn either left for Kirstenbosch, or right for Cecilia forest.

One of the most scenic hikes on

Table Mountain

If you are looking for a day hike on Table Mountain which is not too longand includes most of the spectacular and famous views. Then this is the hike for you. You can even take the cable car up and down the mountain if you want to to take it really easy.

We begin at the top of Platteklip Gorge. So you can either walk up the gorge. (steep but spectacular) or take the cable car and stroll from there. From the top of the gorge you go pretty much straight ahead. The path is easy to miss but is marked Echo Valley. (Don’t take the path signed India Venster which is found about 10m away.)

The first part of the path is flat with magnificent views

The path is relatively flat initially and after 100m you are met with the most outstanding view. Blinkwater Ravine falls steeply towards Camps Bay whilst the Atlanic dominates the background. After a stop to admire the view, the path turns to the left and begins to drop. There is an old wooden boardwalk in places which can be tretcherous when wet. The path turns again to the right and leads back to more magnificent views. After another view stop you come to the first of 3 ladders. These are very solid well placed ladders that mean the descent to Echo Valley is quick and easy. You join Echo Valley at the top of Blinkwater Ravine still right on the West side of Table Mountain. 

A ladder leading to Echo Valley

Turn left and follow Echo Valley and follow the path right accross to the other side of the mountain where it joins Smuts Track. Echo Valley is a relatively flat path that crosses a number of small streams and wetland areas. In February it has some of the best Disa viewing on the mountain. A number of paths lead off the Echo Valley path leading either back onto the main Table or through to the dams of the Back Table.

The Back Table from Smuts Track

Turn left onto Smuts Track, and follow the path, past “Dog Head” rock. ( a good place for a lunch spot) and onto Maclears Beacon. You climb 300m on this stretch but it is a gradual and easy climb. Here the views are of the Southern Suburbs and False Bay. Behind you are the Back Table the dams and the entire Table Mountain chain. Once at Maclears Beacon you add views over Table Bay and Robbin Island.

From Maclears Beacon take the Cliff Path towards the cableway. This is a well marked and spectacular path. (not recommended if wet or very windy) The views of Lions Head and the city are some of the best. This path leads you right back to the top of Platteklip, from where you can again choose…. The gorge or the cable car.

The different moods of Table

Mountain

One of the most amazing things about Cape Town is the variety of weather conditions that can occur at the same time in such a small area. This variety is of course caused by the great lump of rock called Table Mountain that dominates our skyline.

On Sunday on the Kirstenbosch (East) side of the mountain we awoke to a glorious day. Clear skies, bright sunshine and very little wind. Needing some exercise we set off for a walk in the Silvermine region of Table Mountain.

A beautiful day over False Bay.

 From the top of the Constantiaberg we looked over onto the Western side of the mountain, and saw a huge cloudbank moving ominously over the land.

The clouds moving in over Hout Bay

We continued our hike down Blackburn Ravine and along the contour to  Chapmans Peak. All the time with the shadow of the clouds getting closer. From Chapmans Peak we climbed back past Noordhoek Peak and back into Silvermine. On that side of the mountain you would still have no idea of the approaching rain.

Getting closer!

Yes! there was snow on Table

Mountain!

What a week for Cape Town. Not only did we host a couple of world cup soccer games. We also hosted quite a bit of snow on Table Mountain!! Although not totally unheard of it is nevertheless  unusual and a very special sight for anyone who saw it.

The snow on Table Mountain

In the early morning there was a thin carpet over the entire main table and even by 3pm there were large patches left. Enough to make a snow ball anyway!!  For those who hiked up, apart from the beauty there was the additional hazard of icy rocks. The top of Platteklip gorge in particular resembled an ice rink in places.

Elsewhere in the Western Cape a much thicker blanket of snow can be seen from Maclears Beacon.  The white tipped mountains of the winelands can clearly be seen from the top of Table Mountain.

Snow on the mountains of the Western Cape

Hiking rules for safety on

Table Mountain

With the world cup being based in South Africa, Cape Town has a sudden influx of visitors. Many of whom may want to climb Table Mountain. As a Cape Town resident and regular walker I definitely encourage tourists to do this. Table Mountain offers a multitude of wonderful walk and hikes, of a variety of length and difficulty.

Howver, although it is the middle of a large and cosmopolitan city. Table Mountain is still a mountain and needs to be respected as such. Weather conditions on the mountain can be totally different to those in the city and can change dramatically in just a couple of minutes. It is important that anyone planning a walk sticks to a couple of basic rules.

1.  Wear appropriate footwear. Even in summer it can be damp on top of the mountain and therefore slippery. At the very least hikers should be in comfortable takkies.  
2.  Do not walk alone.
3.  Take warm and wet weather gear with you. No matter what the conditions are in the city. A beannie to keep your head warm is a great asset.
4.  Make sure you know the route you plan to take. If you do not know the route take someone with you who does. Rather hire a guide who is familiar with the mountain if you are a visitor.
5.  Tell someone where you are going, and what time you are expected back.
6.  Take a cell phone with you and make sure you have the number of someone you can phone in the case of an emergency.
7. Water, a hat and sunblock are essential throughout the year.

Cape Town is a wonderful city. It must be the only city in the world with a true wilderness area slap bang in its middle. Once on the mountain you can escape the sounds and smells of the city, see rare fynbos, take in the magnificent scenery, and altogether have the best day of your holiday. But it is important that you take into consideration the very basic rules above in order to ensure that your day is safe and enjoyable.

Contact: Binny: 082 522 6056 to book a guided hike on Table Mountain.We can provide wet and warm weather gear if you have not brought with you.

Hiking in Newlands Forest at the

foot of Table Mountain

Today is an absolutely beautiful day in Cape Town. Clear skies, no wind, cool winter temperatures. Really perfect for a walk. But today is also the 11th June 2010. The opening day of the soccer world cup in South Africa. With the first game featuring our own Bafana Bafana. Even I wanted to be inside in front of the television in the afternoon!!

So I needed a morning walk. Newlands Forest offers the perfect choice. Parking at the forest station, you head straight up into the forest. Well maintained jeep tracks with plenty of smaller tracks leading off to explore the numerouus small rivers.

This morning I headed pretty  much straight up the mountain from the car park. Indigenous wild almond trees abound, with branches twisting across rivers and bending low to make you dip and turn along paths. All the time above you the steep cliffs of Table Mountain and Devils Peak tower over you. 

Table Mountain towering over Newlands Forest

 After criss crossing numerous paths all the time heading up hill you get to the contour path at the waterfall of Ascension gulley. A quick water stop here then head back towards Constantia Nek. The contour path is a mixture of boardwalks in sensitive areas, with a few rocky gorges and small streams to cross in places.

One of the numerous paths through Newlands Forest

After 30 minutes you turn off the contour path back into the forest. This time just keep following your nose down hill. You meet with a jeep track that will lead you back to the car park.   

The contour path above Newlands Forest

This walk took me 2 hours this morning. Enough to feel like I took some exercise, and to take in some good fresh air. But now I am in front of the TV for the afternoon.

Hiking up the Constantiaberg

The view of Constantiaberg from Table Mountain

The Constantiaberg is the large mountain that is clearly visible from the top of Table mountain as you look towards Cape Point. (between Table Mountain and Silvermine) On its top is a radio mast that reaches a height of 1120m and is thus the highest landed point on the Cape Peninsula. (Constantiaberg itself reaches a height of 928m).

There are a number of walks on and around the Constaniaberg. One of my favourites is a circular route beginning at the dam in Silvermine. From here you head up the jeep track and take the path for the Elephants eye cave. Just before heading up the final part of the path to the cave you take a right fork and head down a steep path for 50m to a small waterfall. The path levels out here and leads around the mountain on this contour. This is a beautiful path, just above the forests of Tokai.

The path above Tokai forest

After around 3km along this path it descends for a brief time onto the level 5 jeep track in the forest. Turn towards Cape Town and follow the track which becomes a small path again and leads into a patch of indigenous forest and up the steep Boekenhoutkloof. At the top you join the tar road that leads to the top of the mountain. You follow this road for 4km. Although the walking is easy and the views absolutely stupendous, be on the lookout for speeding mountain bikes. This a cycling route and many take the downhill as a good opportunity to test their nerves! (and brakes) If you have dogs with you rather keep them on a lead.

Magnificent views from the tar road

Just before the final right hand switchback look for a cairn on the left hand side of the road. This marks a path, that leads back into Silvermine coming past the Elephants eye cave on the otherside.

Explore the Table Mountain chain on foot on a guided Table Mountain hike with Ridgway Ramblers

An adventurous day trip, which

includes walking up Table

Mountain, and abseiling down.

Cape Town is a city that has so much to offer the energetic and adventurous tourist. Mountain biking, surfing, sailing, seas kayaking and many more, are all easily available within a very short distance from the city centre.

Of course, one of the main attractions of the city is Table Mountain itself. Ridgway Ramblers is offering an exciting day trip that combines hiking up the mountain with abseiling down it. The combination of these 2 activities give some of the best views of the city and surrounding area, and provide an adventure that requires no previous experience or skills.

There are several ways of reaching the top of Table Mountain, but for this adventure we recommend the India Venster route. This is a “scramble” path, which means it is an easy climb that requires no ropes or climbing equipment. The route pretty much goes under the cable car for the first half of the walk. For the second half of the walk it follows the Fountain ledge around the mountain overlooking Camps Bay. After the final scramble above Camps Bay you emerge at the very place where your abseil will deposit you a little later!! For now you continue around the mountain and emerge at the top about 10 minutes walk from the cable car.

The abseil takes place from the main Table area. At 110 metres it is the highest commercially run abseil in the world. Once you are harnessed up, and the rudiments of abseiling have been explained, you scramble to a rock ledge just behind the safety wall at the top of the mountain. From here you lean out and begin to lower yourself. After a few metres the cliff gives way to an overhang which leaves you dangling 1000m above Cape Town. Initially it is scary but you soon get the idea and gently lower yourself down to the waiting instructor on the ledge below.

The combination of climbing and abseiling leaves you with such a feeling of exhilaration and achievement. It takes a bit longer but is way more satisfying than taking the cable car up and down.

 http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/adventurous-scrambles/

A walk of no ordinary proportion

The Rim of Africa is South Africa’s first long distance hiking trail, and when I say long, I am not joking. This magnificent trail stretches from The Cederberg Mountains on the Capes West coast to the Outeniqua Mountains on the Garden route. The entire distance covered is 650km with a minimum of 48 days being recommended for the entire walk.

Of course, most people won’t have the time (or the legs) to do the whole distance. So you can do shorter stretches in whatever region you fancy. The first leg from Pakhuis Pass in the Cederberg  to Turret Peak in the Koue Bokkeveld is now open and you are able to book onto scheduled trips in October.

Doing a multiday hiking trail is an opportunity to really get away and commune with nature. Relax and reconnect with yourself and your friends. This hiking trail is an opportunity of a life time.

To learn more about the trail and to book go to www.rimofafrica.co.za

I won’t be able to make it this year but before I am 50, I will have completed the entire trail. (It is number 1 on my list)

Training for Kilimanjaro in Cape

Town

Kilimanjaro, which is found in Tanzania reaches 5898.7 m (19340 ft) and was first climbed in 1889. It is the highest mountain in Africa. Since first being summited it has become a magnet to thousands of visitors every year. All wanting to reach the top. 

Table Mountain, although certainly not reaching the lofty heights of Everest and thus not being able to assist with altitude training is however often used as a training base for those with Kilimanjaro in their sights. The steep gorges offer good training for the climbs, whilst longer walks offer endurance training par excellance.

2 Cape Town locals,  Kirsty and Roddy completed their first training walk on Table Mountain with me last weekend. For an introductory first walk we climbed Platteklip Gorge. This steep ascent gave them a chance to try out all their equipment. Day packs, hiking sticks, boots,  and hydration packs all passed the intial test. Next week we will be doing a longer walk to build up those endurance muscles.

Kirsty with all the kit

Roddy on Platteklip