Hike up Table Mountain from

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Enjoy a guided hike on Table Mountain with Ridgway Ramblers

If you are in Kirstenbosch and look towards Table Mountain you will notice the square prominant block of rock almost directly above you. This is Castle rock. Nursery ravine is the path that takes you up the left side of Castle Rock.

Castle Rock above Kirstenbosch Gardens

The quickest way to the gorge is to park at top (Rycroft Gate) and enter the botanical gardens here. Then head straight up the path towards the mountain basically following your nose straight up. There are quite a number of paths leading down into the main part of the garden but as long as you keep going towards the mountain you will eventually hit the contour path. Once you get to the contour path turn right towards Newlands. You now get a 15 minute flat section along the contour path before getting into the gorge itself. Take a moment to enjoy the views over the gardens, Bishops Court and False Bay. The turn for Nursery Ravine is well signed. You can’t miss it.

The Nursery Ravine route is well sign posted

Now you begin a steady hours slog up the mountain. The first half of the path zig zags through beautiful Afromotane forest in a steady climb. There is a small river that runs on the left of the path most of the way up which through the lower half of the gorge has water throughout the year.

The path climbs steeply through the forest

After about half an hours steep climb you pass the last trees and can see the path zig zagging on up. This a good place for a break and to enjoy the view.

Enjoying a break at half way rock

The path continues to zig zag steeply up the hill through pristine fynbos. In February and March the King Proteas are flowering and quite magnificent.

The path continues through pristine fynbos

The last 1/4 of the path is quite broken up and rocky. If you choose this route down it is this first section which is the most difficult. Going up is not difficult but is a bit slower going than further down the path. The last few metres are up a ladder. Not as steep as the ladders in Skeleton Gorge and with a good handrail.

The ladder at the top of Nursery Ravine

From the top of Nursery Ravine you can turn right to go towards Skeleton Gorge and Smuts track. Or left towards Constantia Nek.

Table Mountain hikes

A walk on Table Mountain is an experience you will never forget. Enjoy a guided walk on Table Mountain with Ridgway Ramblers – your boots are made for walking!

Early 2011 has been a fantastic season for hiking on Table Mountain. The weather has been perfect and the fynbos in fine form. Over 100 people have enjoyed a guided hike on Table Mountain so far this year. Here are just a few of them.

Enjoying the view from India Venster path

Overlooking the Back Table from Smuts Track.

Looking for Disa's in Myburgh Ravine

On top of Chapmans Peak

Next time you are in Cape Town schedule a walk on Table Mountain. Whether you stroll along the Pipe Track, hike up India Venster, or tackle a full days hike from Kirstenbosch to the Table Top. It is an experience you will never forget.

Take a safe walk up Platteklip

Gorge

In the past month there have been numerous people rescued from Table Mountain due to dehydration and sunstroke. The most common area for rescues is Platteklip Gorge. You might think this is strange as it is the most common route for people to take up the mountain and is the shortest route to the cable car. However this route is one of the hottest routes on the mountain. It gets the full force of the morning sun, has no shade and heat is then reflected off the bare rocks. 

Luckily Cape Town does have a very skilled and good mountain rescue service. It is manned by volunteers only too keen to drop everything and rush to help. I witnessed one such rescue on Friday from the cliff path on top of the mountain. Although it is always exciting to see a rescue in action and a relief to know the lady was rescued successfully, I couldn’t help thinking that if people stuck to a few simple rules such a rescue might not be necessary. 

The rescue helecopter at work on Table Mountain

So if you are thinking of hiking up Table Mountain, here are some tips: 

Leave early, especially if going up Platteklip Gorge. By early I mean before 8am if not earlier. 

Take at least 2 litres of water per person. Although the mountain water is perfectly safe to drink during the summer most of the streams are dry so do not rely on being able to fill up on the mountain. 

Wear a hat and sunblock.   

Check the weather before you go. During the summer we do get days where the temperature soars in excess of 35 degrees C. If this is the forecast leave even earlier, choose a shadier route or postpone your hike. 

The cable car closes when the wind is strong. If you are planning to take the cablecar back down check that it is running before you leave. (also check the weather as if the wind picks up the cable car may close whilst you are walking) 

Table Mountain is the most wonderful place with some fantastic hiking and a multitude of beautiful and different routes. Do not be put off by the above, but do please plan your hike and make sure you have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable hike.

Enjoy a special day on Table

Mountain

Enjoy a day to remember with Ridgway Ramblers – your boots are made for walking

If you are a South African citizen did you know you are entitled to a free cablecar ride on Table Mountain on your birthday? All you need to do is pitch up with your id book!

For some South Africans a trip up Table Mountain on their birthday makes for the ideal day. But they would rather hike up under their own steam.

Here is Yvette enjoying her special day at the top of Nursery Ravine.

Hiking on Table Mountain with a

strong South Easter

If you are a regular hiker on Table Mountain, you will have hiked in a howling South East wind at some stage. The only reliable thing about the weather in Cape Town is that it is unreliable……and that the wind will blow for at least a couple of days a week. Of course the South East wind is our friend. Locally called the Cape Doctor this wind brings clean air to the city and clears out any lingering pollution.

You can certainly not allow the wind to put you off a walk but do need to be aware of it. If you are planning to take the cable car down the mountain this may be impossible in strong winds. (the cable car closes down once the wind reaches speeds of +/- 35km hour) Similarly the wind can bring cloud cover to the mountain in a couple of seconds. This obviously impacts on visibility and on temperature.

Clouds moving in on Table Mountain

Some routes such as India Venster are not advisable in gale force winds for the obvious reason that you don’t want to get blown off balance at other stage! Other routes such as those above Kirstenbosch can be pretty sheltered on the way up.

The Table cloth is a feature of the South East wind. Having blown across False Bay collecting evaporating water along the way. The air is forced to rise over Table Mountain, and bingo. The air condenses and forms clouds. It can beautiful sunny weather everywhere else but on the mountain.

The tablecloth of Table Mountain

Despite the cloud, hiking on Table Mountain in these conditions can be fun. It is cool and the cable car area is less crowded. The clouds are very mobile often opening for 30 seconds to reveal the wonderful views.

Maclears Beacon in the clouds

 For some reason the tip of the mountain right where the cable car station is often remains out of the clouds.

The cable car station clear of cloud

 Therefore you can still hike up Platteklip Gorge. Enjoying the cooling clouds for the last part of the climb. And then enjoy the views from the uncrowded view spots.

Looking up Platteklip gorge on a windy day

Table Mountain Hiking Trails

There is a Table Mountain walk to suit all ages and fitness levels.

Table Mountain found on the South Western tip of South Africa is surely one of the most recognisable natural features in the world, and what better way to explore this iconic beauty than on foot.

Within minutes of the centre of Cape Town are numerous walking trails just waiting to be explored. From a gentle stroll along the Pipe Track, to a quick steep hike up Platteklip Gorge, to a full days walk from Kirstenbosch Gardens. These are just a few of the available walks and hikes available to you on Table Mountain.  

Ridgway Ramblers offer a variety of guided hikes with qualified and registered mountain guides. We will tailor make a hike to suit you and your individual requirements.  Individual and group bookings are welcome.

Disa’s and King Protea’s on Table Mountain?

There are several places to view both Disa’s and King Proteas on Table Mountain. Whilst the King Proteas are relatively widespread over the whole mountain the Dis’a are found alongside water courses.

The best hike in order to view as many of both types of plants as possible would be to go up Nursery Ravine and to the Aquaduct.

Nursery Ravine during the months of February and March is a garden of Proteas. The buds start to arrive as early as November and the first ones were flowering this year in late January. Once you get above the tree line the slopes of the mountain here are full of the Protea in one of the best displays you will find on the mountain. Many close enough to the path for really close invistigation.

A king protea on Nursery Ravine

Once at the top of Nursery Ravine you follow Smuts Track past Skeleton and Window Gorge to the beginning of the Aquaduct. (you will see King Proteas along he path and some Disa’s in Window Gorge) Once on the Aquaduct Path however, you will be astounded with the numbers of Disa’s.

A Disa

Emerging from the Aquaduct at the Waterworks museum, you can choose how to return to you car.