What route was first climbed on

Table Mountain?

The first recorded ascent of Table Mountain was in 1503. It’s important to note the word “recorded” here. I am sure there were several of the original inhabitants of the Cape who hiked to the top long before any Europeans landed here! So, the first European to climb Table Mountain was in 1503. The adventurous person was Antonia Saldanha. He didn’t climb the mountain out of love for hiking but in order to find out where he was! The commander of a Portugese fleet sailing to India he had become disoriented and taken refuge in an unknown bay in the shelter of a large flat topped mountain. From then on the bay became known as “the Aquade de Saldanha (watering place of De Saldanha) and became a regular stop over for the Portugese fleets sailing to the Indies.

The first recording of a woman taking on the Table Mountain Challenge, was almost 300 years later. In the 1790′s Lady Anne Barnard organised a group of people that included 3 gentlemen and several slaves.  This group ascended the mountain and enjoyed a lavish picnic on the top.

Both Antonio De Saldanha and Lady Anne Barnard chose to ascend Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge. This is perhaps one of the most obvious routes up the mountain and really the only walkable route on the city side.

Platteklip Gorge is the clear deep gorge in the middle of the sheer cliffs on the city side of Table Mountain

A hike on the lower slopes of Table

Mountain

The contour path is a beautiful route that winds its way around the lower slopes of Table Mountain from Constantia Nek past the lower cable way station to the top of Kloof Nek. Covering a distance of around 15km. To do the whole path in one go is perfectly feasable but quite a long day. Generally is divided into 3 sections.

• 1) Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch Gardens
•  2) Kistenbosch to Rhodes Memorial
• 3) Rhodes memorial to Kloof Nek

The section from Rhodes Memorial to Kloof Nek is the least shaded of the sections as you leave the forests of the South and Easterly sides of the mountain and walk above Cape Town on the Northerly slopes.

You begin the hike at the parking area at Rhodes memorial and take the path up towards the Kings Blockhouse. This is a steep stepped path which is pretty tiring. Once at the Kings Blockhouse it is worth stopping to admire the view. Then follow the path that continues around the mountain and towards Cape Town. After about 10 minutes you pass a ravine and above you is Woodstock Cave. This is one of the largest caves on Table Mountain and is clearly visible from quite far below. Sadly it has been damaged with grafitti over the years.

Woodstock Cave from below

After you have passed the cave above you look out for a path that crosses the path you are on. This leads to the cave and it is worth following and taking a look.  The shade provided by this overhang offers a good place for a break. Return to the contour path the same way. (the detour should take you around half  an hour)

Once back on the contour path you continue for about half an hour. A  few paths leading off the main path and up onto a higher contour path and Devils Peak. Your route stays on the main path. After about half an hour you round a corner and Table Mountain herself suddenly fills your view. It is a magnificent sight.

Table Mountainherself suddenly fills your view

 The path leads you past Platteklip Gorge and to one of my favourite parts of the contour path. Here is lies almost directly under the towering cliffs of Table Mountain. You pass several gorges with small waterfalls in the winter.

The contour path past Platteklip gorge

The views down onto Tafelberg Rd and the city are terrific. Once you reach the path leading down to the lower cableway station you know you are nearly done. Carry on for about 15 minutes and as the path begins to head around to Camps Bay. Look for a path leading down to your right. (the contour path itself peters out if you continue along it.) The path leads steeply down to join Tafelberg Road just above the 1st switchback on the road.

The final part of the contour path leads down to Tafelberg Rd

Peace and tranquility on Table

Mountain

There are so many places on Table Mountain that you can reach in just a couple of hours walking that are able to transport you to a place far beyond the rush and hustle of the city. Be it a waterfall, a cave, or just a peaceful spot in the shade of an ancient yellow wood these are the places that make Table Mountain special. Up as a candidate for one of the seven wonders of the world this mountain surrounded by sea and city is truly one of the greatest places in the world.

Here are some photos of some of my favourite places on the Table Mountain.

The Diagonal hike up Table

 Mountain

The Diagonal hike up Table Mountain is on the Camps Bay side of the mountain leading off the Pipe Track. It does have a few easy scrambles on it but nothing difficult and very little exposure. As the name implies the route takes you across a number of buttresses thus giving virtually unparallelled views of the 12 Apostles, the Atlantic ocean and Camps Bay.

The view down Porcupine Buttress

If you park on Tafelberg Rd and join the Pipe track there, Diagonal path is the first signed path off this route once you are past Blinkwater Ravine. Initially the path is steep and straight up until it reaches the first rocky bands and the first little scramble.

One of the easy scrambles on the Diagonal path

Once here the path levels out a little and begins to head to the right and around Porcupine buttress. Once around here you go for quite some distance up Porcupine ravine. This is a steep section of the path with a few small scrambles. You basically follow the river here, which following rain will be running quite quickly. The path keeps to the left of the stream initially before crossing it and beginning to take you around the next buttress called Jubilee buttress.

Following the stream up Porcupine Ravine

 There are a few small scrambles here until the path begins to head straight up again. At the top the path levels out and then begins to lead slightly down hill to where it joins the path to Valley of the red gods. From here you can choose fom a multitude of routes down.

The view from the top of the Diagonal path

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A spectacular hike on Table

 Mountain

Right face arrow face is an amazing hike on Table Mountain. Although it doesn’t actually take you to the top of the mountain it is a remarkable walk with some severe exposure and some difficult scrambling. Not a hike for the dogs, kids or anyone who is even moderately afraid of heights.
The most straight forward way to the start of this hike is up the India Venster route until the point after the scrambling where the India Venster path is almost directly under the cable car.

Looking down onto the lower cable way station from the India Venster route

In front of you are the sheer cliffs of this part of Table Mountain. Before you follow the path to the right and up onto Fountain Ledge, you need to find a path leading slightly down and to the left. (ie. Towards the Devils Peak side of the mountain) Follow this steep path for about 5 minutes. Here the path appears to run into a sheer wall. You will notice a crack in the cliff. Squeeze behind here and walk behind the face of the mountain!

Squeeze into the crack in the rock face

After about 30 seconds you emerge from the tunnel and need to scramble up onto a ledge about 2 metres up. Follow this ledge for about 30 metres and you again need to squeeze into a narrow crack and follow a corridor behind the face of the mountain.

Follow the narrow corridor behind the rock face

Once again emerging into the sunlight you need to scramble down to a ledge about 3 metres below. Once on this ledge follow the path but keep an eye out for cairns leading down to the left. You drop steeply down to a lower path that will lead you to Yellowstone Gulley. For the rest of the route you need to keep a sharp eye out for cairns which will lead you straight down Yellowstone Gulley and into Union Ravine from where you join the contour path

The path traverses Table Mountain with some severe exposure

One of my favourite hikes on Table

 Mountain

The Bushmans Overhang hike is a route that takes you around the top of Orangekloof. It is not well known so the path can be difficult to find. However it offers some wonderful views that are not often seen. It is a Table Mountain path that actually starts and finishes on top of the mountain so you can take any number of routes up and down the mountain in order to get to it.

To get to the start of the walk you need to get to the far side of De Villiers Dam. There is a path leading from the dam wall to the Overseers hut. The Bushmans overhang path is a left turn off this path about 5 minutes after you leave the dam wall. ( walking away from the wall, heading towards the hut)

Bushmans Overhang Path with De Villiers reservoir in the background

The path is small and with waist high fynbos on either side.  After about 20 minutes the path becomes more rocky and in a couple of places you need to jump from rock to rock to get to where you need to go. The amphitheatre of Orange Kloof  spreads out ahead and to your left magnificent and untouched, whilst beyond that Hout Bay nestles in the valley.

The view of Orange Kloof and Hout Bay

The path continues around the rim of the Kloof. At places you need to bend down to get under overhangs or squeeze behind magnificent yellow woods clinging precariously to the cliff edge.

An overhung section of the path

At times there is a bit of exposure but nothing to really worry about. After about an hour the cliff begins to recede and the path leads you up and over the top. You find yourself beside the Victoria and Alenandra dams. A short walk will take you to the cement road from where you can choose your route down.

Do I need a guide to walk on Table

Mountain?

Many people ask if it is necessary to have a guide in order to hike on Table Mountain and as with so many things in life there is no simple foolproof answer that applies to everyone.

Although in the middle of a city, Table Mountain is a mountain and needs to be respected as such. Approximately 180 people are rescued from the mountain each year. Many of these didn’t have enough water,  had incorrect footwear or simply lost their way on the extensive network of paths or when the cloud cover came in unexpectedly.

So, if you are not an experienced hiker, I really do recommend you take a guide. If you are an experienced hiker, can read a map, and have all the right gear with you. You should be fine to hike without a guide. You might however enjoy the additional information and “hidden secrets” that only the locals know. For example: the location of the Tranquility crags and the Aquaduct or the identity of the Red Disa and King Protea. You might also like to do one of the more “off the beaten track paths” such as Diagonal or India Venster.

If you do decide to hire a guide. Please ensure they are properly qualified. A hiking guide should be qualified in that particular activity, and registered with the provincial registrar. ie. They should be able to show you a registration card which notes their qualification as a mountaineering or climbing guide.

Happy hiking!

Climb the 3 peaks of Table

Mountain

The 3 peaks of Table Mountain are Devils Peak, Table Mountain and Lions Head. Climbing all 3 in one day is a challenge but a little bit more practical than the 3 peaks of the UK as there is no driving required between peaks.

There are a couple of organised races up the 3 peaks. The most gruelling of these requires runners/hikers/plodders to return to Green Market square in the centre of Cape Town between each Peak. This adds a distance of about 30km onto the challenge.

To do the 3 peaks merely returning to Tafelberg Rd each time  is a distance of +/- 27km (depending on your route) The peaks can be bagged in any order but generally people aim for Devils Peak, Table Mountain and finally Lions Head.

The 3 peaks of Table Mountain.

The route up Devils Peak begins from the far end of Tafelberg Rd. The path is straightforward and initially not too steep as it takes a diagonal route up onto the saddle. However once at the saddle (at a height of 680m), the real climb begins. The final haul to the top of Devils Peak  (1001m) is up a path that seems to go almost directly up. The path is clear but is not stepped so your calves take severe straing especially if you are racing. Once at the top take a moment to enjoy the views before descending the same route.

From devils peak, looking accross to Table Mountain and Lions Head

Once back on the contour path, turn left and head to Platteklip Gorge. This is another steep route which I can only describe it as an unrelenting staircase. Obviously the steps were built by a man with long legs! Here the thighs take more strain. At the top of Platteklip Gorge you are at a height of 1000m. I’m afraid this is not the top of the mountain. You turn left and head a further 2km to Maclears Beacon which at 1085m is the highest point. Touch the beacon and then return to the head of Platteklip.

The flat section to Maclears Beacom

 This flattish section is quite a relief on the muscles and allows them to loosten up a bit before the downward journey. This is the toughest part of the challenge. The knees and legs take a huge pounding going down this route and a fall could really hurt. The best advise is to take it slowly and steadily. Sticks are also a huge bonus here.

Once back on Platteklip road you now need to jog to Lions Head. A distance of +/-4km. This is along the road and on a gentle decline initially which gets steeper as you approach Kloof Nek.

Tafelberg Rd along the base of Table Mountain

Once over Kloof Nek there is short climb to the beginning of Lions Head. At only 669m this is the smallest peak, but that doesn’t mean it is easy! Initially you follow a well marked jeep track around the base. This becomes a smaller path after the first circuit and climbs steadily to a height of 550m. Here you can climb quickly up a series of chains to 600m. The last climb is along the spine of the mountain and one ladder until eventually you reach the top. Head back down the same way.

Table Mountain and Devils Peak from the top of Lions Head

Once back on Tafelberg rd. Congratulations. You have completed one of the most gruelling hikes on Table Mountain. Whether you ran it or plodded. Finishing is an accomplishment !!

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a 3 peaks challenge of your own. We offer guided hikes up all the peaks in Cape Town.

Vote for Table Mountain

Table Mountain is one of 28 finalists in the New Wonders of Nature Competition. The final 7 are to be announced in Zurich on the 11 November 2011.

Add your vote for Table Mountain to ensure it is recognised as the wonder of Nature that it surely is.

http://www.votefortablemountain.com/

A circular route around

 Table Mountains dams

From the Camps Bay side the easiest route up  Table Mountain is Kasteelspoort. To get there park your car at the top of Kloof Nek and begin walking along the Pipe Track. This, the oldest trail in Cape Town offers astounding views of Lions Head and Camps Bay. As you walk you will notice the ageing pipe that transported the water from the dams on top of Table Mountain to Cape Town.

Along the path you still see sections of the old pipe which used to transport water from the top of the mountain to the city

After about an hour along this path you come to the bottom of Kasteelspoort. This is well marked with a trailhead. The first part of the gorge is steep but after about 15 minutes starts heading towards your right. It is still steep but less so. After another 20 minutes you pass an eroded area where the water floods down during the winter. People often take the wrong route here and start to head straight up this erosion gulley. The main path goes straight across and continues up at an angle. Another 20 minutes brings you to a large flat rock. Here you can see the remains of the old winch that was used to haul the material for the dams up the mountain. From here the path heads more directly up the side of the gorge.

At the top of Kasteelspoort

At the top you come to a T junction. Turn right here and after 5 minutes you come to another junction. It is well worth taking the right turn. This takes you to a lookout point and to the position of the old winch. Look down the way you have come and you can see the flat rock you passed earlier with the other end of the winch.

The view point overlooking Kasteelspoort

Spend a few minutes enjoying the view and then head back the way you came. Back at the junction go straight ahead. Here the path is wide. This is because it is the site of an old railway line. Whilst the dams were being built in the late 1800′s the materials were winched up Kasteelspoort and then a steam train took them to the actual building site. ( the steam train was also winched up Kasteelspoort in pieces and then reassembled at the top) The track reaches a huge old pine tree and joins a cement road. Go straight on here with the Helly-Hutchinson dam on your right. After about half an hour you come to a small building at the foot of another huge dam wall. This is the waterworks museum which contains much of the old machinary and tools used to construct the dam. (including that old steam train)

One of the dams on top of Table Mountain

Spend some time exploring the museum. Then continue along the bottom of the dam wall. Follow the road right around the Helly-Hutchinson dam and when back at the far end cross the dam wall. The view looking down into Disa Gorge is amazing. This gorge, and the area of Orange Kloof which runs down the mountain here to Hout Bay is the only restricted area of the mountain. This is due to the pristine forest found in here.

Once you have crossed the dam you return to the huge old pine tree. From here you can retrace your steps and head back down Kasteelspoort.