Hike up Table Mountain

A hike on Table Mountain is the highlight of a visit to Cape Town.

Table Mountain is part and parcel of the city of Cape Town. It is this magnificent backdrop that makes the city such an internationally favourite destination. Wherever you are in the city Table Mountain dominates the scenery with its imposing and craggy cliffs. 

Table Mountain towering above the city of Cape Town

Away from the crowds on a hike on Table Mountain you can walk all day and not see another person. There are a number of totally different hikes to choose from depending on which side of the mountain you choose to climb. Each route is characterised by different plantlife, scenery and views. On the way up the different layers of rock are clearly visible whilst on top the weird and wonderful rock formations created by years of weathering create fun climbing spots. 

Climb on one of the weathered rock formations on Table Mountain

Many hikers are surprised at the size of the mountain behind the imposing cliffs above the city. The area of the Western Table top which is visited by several hundred people an hour (courtesy of the cable car)  is perhaps 500m sq. The area of the entire mountain is in excess of 50km sq. 

Escape from the crowds on a hike on Table Mountain

Some of the highlights of a hike on Table Mountain include:

• The 360 degree views from Maclears Beacon.
• Lunch in the beautiful Tranquility Crags
• A photo from the Kasteelspoort lookout point
•  A visit to the reservoirs built in the late 1800′s
• A visit to the waterworks museum
• A rare sighting of the shy clipspringers
• Hiking through the indigenous forests above Kirstenbosch Gardens
• Scrambling up the ladders in Skeleton Gorge.
• Pristine fynbos and clean streams and waterfalls

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a hike on Table Mountain and discover the real mountain away from the crowds.

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

Hike up Table Mountain on a

 Sunday morning

A hike on Table Mountain is the best way to spend a Sunday morning in Cape Town.

I have just returned from a hike up Table Mountain beginning and ending in Kirstenbosch Gardens. It is truly the best way to spend a weekend morning. You get some good exercise and fresh air, relax with friends and just get away from it all for a while.

We chose to go up Skeleton Gorge and down Nursery Ravine. Both these gorges take you up the mountain from the contour path above Kirstenbosch Gardens. Being on the South East and therefore the wetter side of Table Mountain both these gorges follow streams which trickle right through the summer and are lined with beautiful Afromotane forest filled with indigenous trees such as the Yellowwood, Milkwood, Rooiels and Assegaaibos. The steep sides of the gorge are lined with moss and home to a multitude of wild flowers and huge ferns.

Some of the greenery found in Skeleton Gorge

As these 2 routes up Table Mountain are among the most popular, on a weekend you will probably see at least 2 or 3 other groups. However the sense of nature and purity is never lost. Half way up Skeleton Gorge take a moment to stop and enjoy the peace surrounding you. The sounds of the city are lost and only the trickle of the stream and calling of birds remain.

Walking through the forest up Skeleton Gorge

The path up Skeleton Gorge is steep and in places is uneven and unclear. Good footwear is definitely a requirement. There are a series of 5 ladders about half way up where dogs (and some people) need a helping hand.

Dogs may need a hand up the ladders in Skeleton Gorge

For this reason large dogs and those with a fear of heights may not find this route much fun. It is also recommended that you go up this route rather than down it until you know the path and certainly in wet weather.

Once at the top of the gorge you emerge from the trees in pristine fynbos. To get to Nursery Ravine you follow the path around the top of Castle Rock. This involves a little bit more climbing but nothing like as steep as the gorge itself. Out of the trees you can now enjoy some wonderful views.

Enjoying the views from Table Mountain

The path drops down the otherside of Castle Rock and you turn left to head down Nursery Ravine. Like Skeleton Gorge this is a steep path and uneven in places. There is one ladder at the top but no more. In wet weather this is the recommended route down the mountain as although it also follows a stream it does not involve a section actually in the river bed.

The top of Nursery Ravine

The first half of Nursery Ravine is open with the sheer sides of Castle rock towering  above you.

Looking back up Nursery Ravine

 The 2nd half of the gorge again takes you through indigenous forest and back onto the contour path.

The entire circuit should take you around 3 hours. This is a wonderful hike on Table Mountain that is away from the crowded touristy main Table Top. If you are free one morning it is a wonderful way to start the day.

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

A hiking trail with a difference 

The Western Cape of South Africa has so many beautiful hiking trails. This is one of my favourites

The Western Cape of South Africa has so many beautiful hiking trails that it is almost impossible to choose a favourite. However this one is definitely among my top 5. It is a very isolated trail with absolutely no facilities. Therefore although most people take 5 days to complete the hike you may choose to rush through it in 3 or 4 days if you are limited for time.

The first section of this trail is up an incredibly steep trail outside Ceres. At this stage you are carrying your full pack with food and camping equipment for 5 days so it is a tough beginning. I recommend starting either very early or later in the afternoon so as to avoid climbing in the full heat of the day. If you start late you can sleep at the top and descend into the gorge the next day. I prefer to start early and drop down into the gorge all in one day. This is tough but worth it as the rest of the hike is then more relaxed for time.

Resting after the first climb.

Once into the gorge there is no path as such to follow. You follow the river! Hence a lot of rock hopping is required. With the full pack on your back this is tough and bear in mind the isolation. You do not want to twist an ankle in here! I usually start off very carefully but by the end of the hike have more confidence and am bounding from boulder to boulder.

The drop into the gorge

But the really outstanding feature of this hike is the places where there are no boulders and the gorge sides to steep to climb. These are the compulsory swims! I have tried a variety of ways to waterproof my backpack. From taking an inflatable childrens crocodile to wrapping the bag in a pvc bag specially made for the hike. The best method though is simple dry bags for all your gear inside the pack and just get the pack wet. Trying to keep the pack dry seems to be more effort that its worth and takes the pleasure out of the swims.

One of the many compulsory swims on the trail

Campsites are small sandy areas found along the rivers edge. You may sleep where ever you like but there are limited areas with space for more that one person so you do find most campsites used regularly by groups. As permits are limited and the trail only hikeable in the summer there is very little litter or mess.  

Campsites are small sandy patches on the rivers edge

The last day is a different kind of tough as the river has been inundated with alien vegetation so you have the choice of fighting your way along the bank or wading/paddling through the river. This section of the river is shallow and rocky so it is slow going if you choose the river.

This hiking trail is tough as there is no clear path and no facilities. However the natural beauty and pristine environment are truly magnificent. It runs through private land and the owners limit permits carfeully to ensure the integrity of the area is maintained. Of all hiking trails in the the Western Cape of South Africa this one definitely qualifies as one of the best.

One of the many waterfalls on this trail

Walking on Table Mountain in the rain

Whatever the weather a walk on Table Mountain is never disappointing

At long last it seems as if winter has arrived in Cape Town. I don’t know the statistics but suspect July was one of the driest on record. So I really mustn’t complain about the rain over the last few days. In fact on Sunday a few brave souls joined me on a walk on Table Mountain despite the weather and we actually had a fantastic walk.

We decided to stay low and look at as many waterfalls as possible. So we started at Kirstenbosch Gardens and headed towards Cecelia waterfall. This is one of my favourite places on the mountain and it is even more impressive in the rain. The waterfall reaches metres above your head and the greenery surrounding it just adds to the beauty.

The impressive Cecelia Waterall on Table Mountain

On the way to the waterfall the rainfall was light and the clouds quite low over the forest. Totally different from a sunny day today the mountain almost had a rainforest feel about it.

Looking along Table Mountain from the waterfall path

Once we rejoined the contour path we continued along it in the direction of Newlands Forest. In a couple of places we had to rock hop to cross small streams gushing across the path. Nothing too difficult, we all managed to keep our feet dry.

The next 2 streams to cross the path are at the bottoms of Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge respectively.

The bottom of Nursery Ravine

Whilst the Nursery stream offered a minor challenge to cross, the Skeleton stream pours down a huge slab of rock creating yet another beautiful waterfull filled with the pristine clean water from Table Mountain.

The Skeleton Gorge waterfall on Table Mountain

 Today we were keener on the flask of ginger rooibos we had with us. But it is still amazing to think that so close to the city the water coming off Table Mountain is completely clean and drinkable.  

From here we headed back to Kirstenbosch Gardens and home. The walk took 3 hours and we were pretty damp when we got home. However we had deserved our lunch and had really really enjoyed our wet walk on Table Mountain

The Newlands Forest hike on

Table Mountain

A group of Capetonians discover the pleasure in a Table Mountain walk

The run walk for life organisation specialises in starting people on a routine of fitness and excercise. Even people who have not excercised in years are welcomed and helped to begin with some gentle walking around a playing field.

Yesterday a group from the Cape Town run walk for life chapter took their walking a step further and went for a walk on Table Mountain. The group ranged in age from early 20′s to late 60′s and came from a variety of backgrounds. As an introductory walk we did a 5km circuit beginning and ending at the forestry station.

The first 2km of the hike follow a jeep track which winds its way through the forest up to a height of 400m where it joins the contour path. This first 2km is a steady climb through a number of switchbacks until the wide track becomes a small path for the last 200m. This early part of the walk passes through areas of plantation with tall pines reaching skywards.

The team takes a break on the way to the contour path

The last 200m before reaching the contour path the jeep track gives way to a small path which winds its way over some sometimes slippery rocks and into the indigenous forest of this Eastern side of Table Mountain.  On reaching the contour path we took a right turn and followed the boardwalk for 1km above Newlands. 

Here the path is wonderfully shaded by magnificent indigenous trees such as the yellowwood, assegaaibos, milkwood and red alder. Eventually the trees open out to reveal stunning views of the Southern suburbs on one side, whilst the sheer cliffs of Table Mountain rise up on the other side.

Looking up towards Devils Peak with the Southern suburbs behind

Before Ascension gullwy we took the path that leads off the contour path and back into Newlands forest. After a steep downhill we again joined a jeeptrack and took a liesurely stroll back down the hill to the carpark.

The jeeptrack through Newlands Forest with Table Mountain in the background

The transition from walking on the roads to walking on Table Mountain was not an difficult as some had expected. The main difference is the care needed when walking on slippery and uneven surfaces. Some were surprised the ease with which they managed the climbing. However we were probably walking at a slower and more relaxed pace than when walking along the road.

We will certainly be planning more mountain walks in the future. It seems a shame to walk on the roads when in Cape Town we have so much opportunity for walking in the peace and quiet of nature.

Is it worth climbing up Table Mountain if it

 is a cloudy day?

You can hike every day for 5 days on Table Mountain and see something different every time.

After a stunning week in Cape Town a big cold front is approaching for the weekend with quite a bit of rain expected. Although the forecast was for rain yesterday, the morning was sunny with clear blue skies and no rain. I picked up Ellen at 1pm in blazing sunshine and we set off for a quick hike up Table Mountain. By the time we reached Tafelberg Rd a few clouds were creeping around Lions Head and Signal Hill.

The cloud bank sneaking in past Lions Head

We set off up the gorge with the usual stunning views of the city and Table Bay behind us. However before we were half way up the city disappeared into the clouds.

The city disappearing in the clouds

Continuing up the gorge in the thick cloud is quite an eerie experience. The wind started to pick up about half way up, and as the steep cliffs of the gorge began to close in we got glimpses of the sunlight at the top attempting to burn through the cloud.

Looking up Platteklip Gorge

At the top it was chilly and quite windy, but still completely dry. As we walked towards the cableway station the clouds parted giving glimpses of the back Table and 12 Apostles. Once were at the main station a little bit of patience paid off and we were rewarded by the clouds parting and showing us the entire Atlantic seaboard and Camps Bay.

However, once the clouds returned over the sea the sunlight created the most marvellous reflections giving us the best view of the day.   

The sun and clouds created a fantastic sight

We opted to walk back down Platteklip Gorge and were rewarded with beautiful views the whole way down.

Easy Table Mountain Hikes

There is a hike on Table Mountain to suit all ages and fitness levels

One of my favourite hikes on Table Mountain is the Klipspringer walk. This is a very short and easy circuit of the West Table. I generally get there by hiking up either Platteklip Gorge or India Venster and then stroll around the top before heading back down the mountain. As the klipspringer Trail is found a stones throw from the cable car and is pretty flat it is a perfect hike for those members of the party who took the cable car to join the intrepid hikers who climbed Table Mountain.

Beginning at the top of Platteklip Gorge, turn right and climb the final haul up to the Table Top. Once on the flat turn right and walk along the top of Platteklip Gorge. Being very careful peer over the edge and see the way you came up. Its pretty impressive!

Looking down Platteklip Gorge from the Klipspringer Trail

The path leads you away from the very edge of the cliff for very obvious reasons. If Platteklip Gorge is impressive coming up it. Looking down it can cause even the strongest knees to quake.

The safest way to look over the edge of Table Mountain

A mere 10 minutes down the path brings you to the North side of the mountain. Here a number of paths lead to the edge of the mountain where you can overlook the city and Table Bay. Amazingly despite being so close to the cable car you can still escape the crowds here.

Overlooking Devils Peak and Cape Town

After a brief viewing and photo stop continue heading towards the cable car. The continuous views of the city, Lions Head, Table Bay and our wonderful new stadium get better with each stop.

Take some time to admire the views

 You will reach the cable station after about 15 minutes walking. Here the views change and you overlook Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles. Perhaps even a daring abseiler about to take the plunge.

An abseiler begins their descent

Here you turn again and crossing the Apostles Terrace begin to head back towards Platteklip Gorge. The views of the entire Table Mountain Chain are fantastic. The size of Table Mountain is often a surprise as it is a lot more than just the imposing cliffs you see from the city.

Looking down Table Mountain and over to False Bay

This final section of your easy Table Mountain walk will take you back to the top of Platteklip Gorge. The entire walk should take you around 40 minutes to complete and includes all the classic Table Mountain views you climbed up the mountain to see. Here those taking the cable car can leave those planning a longer hike to carry on, on any number of routes.

Table Mountain walks through

indigenous forests

Explore the indigenous forests of the Western Cape on a Table Mountain hike with Ridgway Ramblers

The Echo Valley and Spes Bona Forests which are found in Kalk Bay section of the Table Mountain National Park offer one of my favourite Table Mountain hikes. At the highest point of this trail you reach 450m so this is not a tough trail at all. More a gentle meander through an area which is reminicent of the magical forests seen in Walt Disney productions.

You begin this hike on Boyes drive and follow the path just above the Kalk Bay harbour. The path begins with a fairly steep haul up to the Weary Willies clearing. Here the path splits and the route to Echo Valley is clearly signed to the left.

The path continues to climb gradually through the fynbos. It is well worth stopping to admire the view over False Bay behind you. Although you have been hiking for less than an hour you are already high above the town and deep into the pristine wilderness of the Silvermine Nature Reserve.

Looking down Echo Valley towards False Bay

As you continue along the path the valley gets narrower with steep cliffs on your right and Cave Peak on your left.

The steep cliffs of Echo Valley

About 40 minutes after turning onto this path you enter the Echo Valley forest. Here a wooden boardwalk weaves its way between ancient yellow wood and mikwood trees. At times you are forced to bend down to get under the leaning branches. 

Echo Valley forest

All too soon you exit the magical forest and find yourself at another junction. Take the right fork and head towards the Amphitheatre. Here is an open sandy area ideal for a tea break.  Several paths lead out of the amphitheatre. Follow the path signed to the Spes Bona Valley. After a short climb you drop down into another much longer stretch of magical forest.

The boardwalk through the Spes Bona forest

The Spes Bona Forest follows a canyon that with a perpetually dripping cliff face which provides water for the trees. Weaving through the trees the canyon is filled with many small caves and rocks colourfully decorated with moss and lichen.

The Boomslang cave Table

Mountain hike 

Explore Table Mountain on a guided hike with Ridgway Ramblers

Many people may be unaware that the Kalk Bay area of the Table Mountain National Park is riddled with caves. In fact there are more than 6o caves with names ranging from Devils Pit to Surprise Grotto and Spookgrot.

The Boomslang Cave is one of the many that is easy to access and offers an opportunity for a bit of exploration. If you are planning to try a little caving it is best to go in summer (when its dry) wear old clothes and take a torch!

To get there park in Boyes Drive just before the road turns left and begins to head down into Kalk Bay. The path begins with some steep steps and over a couple of wooden bridges before arriving at a junction just before you cross a small stream. This small clearing called “Weary Willies”. You take the left hand fork signed “Echo Valley.

Weary Willies clearing is a good place to rest and refill waterbottles

Head up this path for 30 minutes until you reach a large clump of rocks. The path is quite steep but the steps are well maintained so you should make good time. Just past this clump of rocks look out for a small path leading off to the left. Although the path is quite clear it is quite easy to miss. Follow this path up towards Cave Peak.

Another half an hour will bring you to the entrance of Boomslang Cave. Next to it is the entrance to White Dome cave. The 2 caves are actually connected but by a very small tunnel.

The entrance to Boomslang cave

To get into the cave you have to do a short scramble over some boulders and then duck into the cave itself. You can follow this cave for +/- 150 metres through the mountain. There are places where in winter you can get pretty deep pools of water and in summer deep muddy patches. There is also an area where you a forced onto your hands and knees. Do not go in without a torch.

Inside Boomslang cave

You may well encounter bats whilst in the cave. Please don’t shine your torch directly onto them or bother them more than you have to. They will not suck your blood and merely want to be left in peace.

When exiting the cave simply follow the path back onto the Echo Valley Path.

The naming of Lions Head

Lions Head and Signal Hill are only part of the magnificent view from many of the paths leading up Table Mountain. Set against the backdrop of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean they must be one of the most photographed sights in the city.

Lions Head and Signal Hill seen from Table Mountain

One of the most common questions I am asked is “why is Lions Head called Lions Head?” I must admit its not clear. The shape of Signal Hill which is also called “The Lions Rump” can be seen to resemble the back end of a lion sitting on his haunches but I really cannot see a Lions Head in the shape of the main hill.  

The name Lyons Head has been around since the 17th century when the peak was named Leowen Kop (Lions Head) and Signal Hill was called Leowen Staart (Lions Tail) by the Dutch residents of the city. The English however prefurred to call the peak by the equally odd name of “sugar loaf”

It seems that there are 3 possible explanations for the name. The first and perhaps most obvious reason behind the naming of any peak is the shape. The second is the sound of the all too frequent winds in the area.

In 1673 when a doctor visiting the Cape wrote “Lyons mount is so named from the shape that resembles the beast not from the roaring winds as mercator would have it.” This then would seem to support the 1st reason. I have already pointed out that from Table Mountain even with a very active imagination it is difficult to see the head of a lion in the shape of the peak. However, as the Cape was originally seen by sailors approaching from the sea possibly the shape is more visible from the other side. This opinion would seem to be supported by the French philosopher Bernadin St Pierre who visited the Cape in 1771. He said ” at night we found ourselves behind the mountain which at a distance appears like a lion couchant. The head is formed by a great rock and detatched from the body”

A third possible reason for the name is mentioned by Peter Kolbe in 1705. He says that “The mount recieved its name from being formerly a great haunt of lions. About 30 years ago a grim one took residence and for a considerable time made woeful havoc among the cattle”  

Whatever the reason for the name, Lions Head remains one of the most important natural features in Cape Town.