A wonderful circular  hike on Table Mountain begins and ends at Suikerbossie restuarant in Hout Bay. This is a day hike that should take you about 6 hours to complete. There is some scrambling and especially in winter there may be some very slippery bits. However this is a wonderful hike. Really off the beaten track and with a wonderful variety of views. I recommend doing it in the anti clockwise direction as suggested below as Myburghs waterfall ravine is not a nice or safe route to descend the mountain.

Turn into the restuarant off the main road and park your car on the left before the road turn sharply to the left and up to the restaurant. You start your hike on a well marked path that leads up beside the fence of the Ruyterplaats housing development.

The path at the start of the hike is well marked

The path is steep to begin with and follows the bounday fence of the estate. As you get beyond the fence turn right and begin to follow the path as it contours around the base of the mountain. You will pass several paths leading up the mountain. Ignore these and continue around the mountain.  After about 30 minutes the path dips down into Myburghs ravine. Cross the stream and continue along the path to the next thickly wooded ravine. This is Myburghs waterfall and your route up the mountain.

The thickly wooded Myburghs ravine

The path up the Ravine follows the left hand side of the river to begin with. Although the path itself is not always clear, you just keep following the course of the stream. You need to boulder hop in a couple of places and especially when it is wet need to be very careful of slipping.   After about 15 minutes you come to a particularly dramatic and beautiful waterfall.

 

You reach the waterfall after about 15 minutes climbing up the gorge

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The path leads you up and away from the river to get around it. Here you need to scramble up a steep bank so need to be very careful not to dislodge rocks onto those below you. Once around the waterfall you continue to follow the river up. The gorge gets narrower and even more beautiful as you get higher.  At the top the path heads to the left and you must step over a drop. Although the path is narrow there are plenty of branches to provide good hand holds.

The gorge gets narrower as you get higher up

 Once at the top of the ravine the path levels out and leads through thick fynbos towards Llandudno. After about 20 minutes on this path it joins the main 12 Apostles path that leads from Llandudno to the cableway.

The path joins the main 12 Apostles path

 Turn left onto this path and pass Judas peak on your left as the path begins a gradual descent towards the sea. After about 10 minutes down this gradual slope look for a path leading off to your right. Follow this path as it leads steeply down Llandudno ravine. The ravine is steep and very loose underfoot. There are staples in sections to assist your descent but again, be aware of those on the path below you.

Llandudno ravine is steep and loose underfoot

After the scramble you get onto a contour path that takes you for 15 minutes along the contour towards Hout Bay before another couple of small scrambles take you down to a wooded area. Follow the path straight down hill until it joins up with your original path of the morning.

 

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a guided hike to explore those parts of the mountain that are off the beaten track

 

Cape Town

The Vlekkenberg trail  is really one of my favourite Cape Town hikes. It is however very exposed in summer and has few water stops. So if you are planning it for a summers day please start early and ensure everyone has enough water.

You start at the top of Constantia Nek but instead of heading up the jeep track and onto the back table you cross the road and head a little bit down the pass towards Hout Bay. After about 150m you see a gate on your left and a sign for Table Mountain National Park. Go through the pedestrian turnstyle and head up the road. 100m up the road you take a smaller path leading off to the left and through another gate. Follow this path. It leads you steeply up alongside vineyards. After a steep slog up the path turns to the right and begins to lead you more gently up the mountain.

The steep steps up the Vlakkenberg

Taking a break at the Vlakkenberg Nek

 

After a break you continue along the same path that leads you down the other side of the Vlakkenberg. You drop about 150m and cross a wetland area at the nek between the Vlakkenberg and Constantiaberg. Although quite a large area the water here is not usually drinkable. Once across the wetland you again head up hill until you join the tar road that leads to the Constantiaberg mast. Turn right and follow this road for 2 minutes. Here you take a path to the right that leads on a contour around the side of the mountain.

 

The view of Table Mountain from the Constantiaberg road

 

You should be at this point between 2 and 2.5 hours from starting the hike. You now follow this path which heads towards Hout Bay.

 

The path leads on a contour around the Constantiaberg

 

After 15 minutes you come to a small ravine where you cross a stream. In winter it is possible to get some water here. During the summer it may be possible to find water if you follow the stream for +/- 10m up the hill. Towards the end of summer even this is dry. This is also the only shade on offer for the rest of the hike. Its a good place for a lunch/snack stop.

 

The path then continues to lead you around the contour towards Hout Bay. After another half an hour the begins to lead in a steep downhill zig zag towards Chapmans Peak drive. After 15 minutes going down hill you come to a junction. Straight on will continue around the contour to Blackburn ravine. The right fork continues to lead you downhill to the parking area at East Fort.

 

 

 

 with overnight at Orangekloof

 tented camp

Many people do not have the full 5 days available for the entire Table Mountain hike. This is no problem as any of the tented camps can be booked individually allowing you to do 2 or even 1 days hiking. The most popular shortened hike would be to do the 2 days from Silvermine Nature Reserve to the cable car. Over these 2 days you experience wonderful sea views, beautiful fynbos and protected Afromotane forest as well as the opportunity to visit the Woodhead tunnel, the waterworks museum and the highest point on Table Mountain.

Day 1: Silvemine to Orange Kloof 

Todays hike begins on the Northern side of Silvermine Nature Reserve. Drive to the parking area right at the top and begin your hike here. Follow the path that leads out of the parking area signed towards Elephants eye cave. This path becomes a jeep track which you follow through several switchback turns (ignore further signs for the elephants eye) for 2km. After 2 km as the road swings to the left, follow a small path leading towards Hout Bay. It leads to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in cape Town.

Overlooking Hout Bay from Silvermine Nature Reserve

The path joins the road to the top of the Constantiaberg. From here you can see Table Mountain in the distance

 

Turn left onto the road and follow it for 10m taking a small path leading to the left. This path leads you down onto the shoulder and then a final climb up onto the Vlakkenberg. The last stage of today is a steep downhill towards Constantia Nek. Here you cross the road and enter the Orange Kloof Nature reserve where you find your overnight accomodation.

 

Ralaxing after a tough days hiking on Table Mountain

 

Day 2: Orangekloof to the Table top

Day 2 offers a real treat of a hike. You leave your accommodation to hike further into the kloof. Initially the going is quite gentle until after about an hours hike you turn up Disa Gorge. After about 30 minutes climbing take the small path to the left. This leads you down the original Woodhead Tunnel built in the 1800′s. A rare treat as this section of the mountain is protected with only very few hikers permitted in here.

 

Take a detour to see the entrance to the Woodhead tunnel

 

From here you resume your climb up Disa Gorge. The river to your left is load as it tumbles down and the forest gets more and more beautiful. Eventually you reach the dam wall and climb onto the Back of Table mountain via a path on the left of the wall.

 

Disa Gorge in Orange Kloof

 

From here there are a number of routes you can follow to the table top including the 12 Apostles path, The Aquaduct or Smuts Track.

 

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a 2 day hike on Table Mountain. We arrange fully catered hikes with luggage transfer to ensure you can relax and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/4-days-from-cape-point-to-table-mountain/

 

 

Chapmans Peak is the mountain peak around which the famous and outstanding scenic drive Chapmans Peak drive is built.  It was named 1n 1607 after a certain John Chapman, a British sailor sent ashore to check for fresh water in what is now Hout Bay.

The picturesque village of Hout Bay

At first glance it might seem impossible to climb the peak. Although only at a height of 593 metres at its highest point the steep cliffs falling into the sea seem unassailable. However there are 2 routes to the peak. One from the Noordhoek side of the peak and one from the Hout Bay side.

Climb up Chapmans Peak from Hout Bay

The hike up Chapmans Peak from the Hout Bay side is a relatively quick and easy hike with wonderful views as reward. The return journey should take you about 3 hours and is a hike children and the relatively unfit can easily undertake.

You start on the final corner of Chapmans Peak drive before the view Point. (from the Hout Bay side) Here there is a big parking area. The path is found in the lower end of the parking area and leads steeply up hill for around 30 minutes. The path is clear and well maintained and leads you to a cross roads on the plateau between Noordhoek and Chapmans Peak.

At the shoulder between Noordhoek and Chapman Peak

Turn right here and follow the path around the shoulder of Lower Chapmans Peak. The path is slightly less steep here than the first section of the hike and leads through a garden of pincuishion proteas. The views of Hout Bay and the sentinal are fantastic.

The views of Hout Bay and the sentinal are terrific

 After +/- 30 minutes you reach a small saddle that seperates lower and main Chapman Peak. The final scramble to the top of Chapmans Peak should take you a further 20 to 30 minutes. Now the views through to Fish Hoek and across the entire Noorhoek valley compete for attention with the views over Hout Bay.

The top of Chapmans Peak

At the top there are plenty of large flat areas to rest and enjoy the magnificent views. I rate this hike along with Lions Head, as marvellous “value for energy”

Climb Chapmans Peak from Noordhoek Beach

The hike up Chapmans Peak from Noordhoek beach is far more challenging but an extremely rewarding hike. The route up to the peak is a much longer route with some minor scrambling. The return journey up this route will take you +/- 4 hours.

The path leads from the far right hand side of the beach (facing the mountain) and leads steeply up hill for 10 minutes to the road. Cross the road and the path continues up the slope of the mountain.

The first section of the hike offers views of Noordhoek beach and Kommetjie

  Initially the path is quite gentle but after 15 minutes taking you to the left it reaches a shoulder and starts to lead more steeply up hill. From now on the path is steep and zig zags its way up the mountain. It eventually leads you right around the back o the peak so you ascend from the Fish Hoek side. The path is relatively clear although a little loose underfoot.

The path overlooks the famous road

Regular rests to enjoy the views are absolutely compulsory. In several places you appear to be right over the road and able to watch the steady stream of traffic winding their way around the peninsula.

Looking East over Fish Hoek and False Bay

Join RidgwayRamblers for a guided hike on Table Mountain. We will ensure you see the best that Table Mountin and the Cape Peninsula has to offer

 Mountain

If you want a hike on that includes as much of the best that Table Mountain has to offer, then the following could be perfect for you. It is a long hike but it is definitely worth the effort.

Up Kasteelspoort through the Aquaduct to Maclears Beacon

Take the Pipe Track from the top of Kloof Neck and ascend the mountain via Kasteelspoort. The Pipe Track offers such magnificent views of the Atlantic seaboard, Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles. It also serves as an introduction to the history of the reservoirs of Table Mountain.

Start this hike along the Pipe Track overlooking Camps Bay

Take a break at "springboard rock"

From here retrace your steps back to the 12 Apostles path but go straight over and towards the middle of the back of Table Mountain. Follow the wide path to a wide junction (with a tap if you need a water refill) Keep going straight on along the now cement road past the Woodhead reservoir to the small building that houses the waterworks museum. It should take you +/- 3 hours to reach here. It is a fascinating place for a snack stop.

 

From here you need to find the path that leads you past the Hely Hutchinson reservoir and into the Aquaduct. It is a small path that is difficult to find directly opposite the museum. Once you are on it, it is relatively clear, just the entrance is a bit obscured by overgrosn bush. This is an amazing path that leads you up the side of the Disa Rivr as it tumbles down a beautiful gorge into the dam. Although small the steep cliffs lined with trees and ferns are wonderful and a complete contrast to the rocky seascapes of the morning.

 

The greenery of the Aquaduct is a start constrast to the cliffs of the morning

The Aquaduct path leads up the side of the gorge and then to the right and towards the Eastern side of the mountain. It eventually joins with Smuts track from where the views of the Southern suburbs and False Bay again offer a totally different aspect of Table Mountain

 

Smuts Track offering yet more views of Cape Town

Turn left onto Smuts track and it leads you to Maclears Beacon. At 1085m this is the highest point of Table Mountain and about 300m higher than the top of Kasteelspoort. Much of this height is gained now when you join Smuts Track.

 

The views from Maclears Beacon are exceptional. Offering 360 degree view of the city. However this is not the end of your hike. You now follow the cliff path towards the cable way station. This remarkable path is pretty flat and follows the cliffs that overlook the city bowl.

 

Follow the cliff edge path along the cliffs that overlook Cape Town cbd

You now have the choice of descending via the cable car or Platteklip gorge.

 

As far as the cable car this hike should take you around 6 hours so including hiking down Platteklip and back to you car you will be looking at 8 to 9 hours hiking.

 Table Mountain

Orange Kloof is the area at the South end of Table Mountain which does not have open access. Everywhere else on Table Mountain (except for the botanical gardens) entry is free through open gates. The reason for the extra protection given to Orange Kloof is due to the Afromotane forest found there.

Orange Kloof. The only restricted area on Table Mountain

 Afromotane forest is found throughout South Africa in patches. Water is the limiting factor with these patches occurring mainly below 1000m in kloofs and gullies. Always beautiful, the protection afforded these isolated patches of forest are vital to the protection of the diversity of plant species found in South Africa.

The beautiful forest of Orange Kloof

Walking in Orange Kloof

A permit is given to 1 group of 12 people daily, and those who book into the tented camp in the kloof  are also permitted to hike there. Each group is required to take a registered mountain guide with them. Thus there is a maximum of 24 people in the area daily. There are a couple of hiking trails you can do. All beautiful and well worth the effort of obtaining a permit. The most popular is Disa Gorge. This is where the forest is at its most impressive.

About half way up you also have the opportunity to see the site of the old tunnel that was built in the 1800′s in order to divert the water to the Pipe Track and hence the Molteno reservoir in Cape Town.

Exploring the Woodhead Tunnel in Disa Gorge

At the top of the gorge you are met by the imposing wall of the Woodhead Dam, and steps up the side lead you onto the back table.

The dam wall at the top of Disa Gorge

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a guided hike in Orange Kloof. It will be a day you will never forget

and Fynbos

A walk in Cape Town is always special and always has something different that cannot be seen in many other places. Beaches, fynbos, shipwrecks, indigenous forest, wonderful views are all things which are found in plentiful supply in the area and all add up to make a walk here truly memorable.

A wonderful walk that combines as many of these sights as possible is divided into 2, with a short drive inbetween.  

 Beach walking in Cape Town

Section 1 takes you along Kommetjie beach to the Kakapo shipwreck. Kommetjie beach which is found on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula about 40 minutes drive from Cape Town is a classic white beach. Never crowded and always beautiful.

Long Beach. Kommetjie

The boiler sticking defiantly out of the sand

After a well deserved break at the wreck, you can either retrace your steps to Kommetjie or, if you have a driver, continue along the beach to Noordhoek. (The wreck is found pretty much half way between Noordhoek and Kommetjie so the return journey should take you +/- 1 hour in either direction. 

 

A short hike in the Silvermine Nature Reserve 

Part 2 of this combo hike is then in the Silvermine Nature Reserve found at the top of Ou Kaapse Weg. Drive to the top of the pass and turn left into Silvermine West. (From Kommetjie this is a 20 minute drive.) Immediately after the entrance turn left and park in the parking area. The fynbos part of the hike now takes you along the “river trail” This delightful path leads gently uphill to the Silvermine reservoir. Much of the path is in the shade of beautiful indigenous trees such as the Keurboom. A small stream wtih the characteristically brown fynbos water runs along side the path adding to the character and beauty of the path.

 

The shady path alongside the river

 

Inbetween the trees many of the typical plants of the Fynbos plant Kingdom are found. After about an hour you find yourself at the reservoir. Here you have several choices. Either continue on one of the many trails in the aresa, retrace your steps back to the car, take a swim in the dam etc.

 

Watsonias found alongside the river walk

 Reserve

Silvermine Nature Reserve offers a variety of wonderful hiking trails without the steep climbing that is often required on Table Mountain trails. One of my favourite routes is in Silvermine North. It is a circular trail that includes a variety of terrain and views.

Silvermine North is on the right of Ou Kaapse Weg if you are heading towards Cape Town. Enter the reserve (R25 entry fee if you don’t have a wild card) and park immediately on your right. You then head out of the car park down the trail away from the entrance gate.

The first section of the hike follows the river trail. This is wonderful shady path that follows the Silvermine River to the resevoir. The path is well maintained with a boardwalk in places. Slighty up hill you hardly break into a sweat so can just relax and enjoy the walk.

The shady boardwalk in Silvermine Nature Reserve

The reservoir in Silvermine Nature Reserve

 

The path you are on now cuts across the veld to rejoin the jeep track on the otherside of Noordhoek Peak. At its highest point on this path you will be at 680m, and at a wonderful lookout area where you can see both Noordhoek and Fishoek, as well as the Constantiaberg and Table Mountain. It should take you about 40 mins to reach this point from where you left the jeep track. You climb about 200m over this distance. This is the steepest part of your hike today.

 

Looking over onto Noordhoek Beach

A little further along the trail you come to a wonderfully sheltered tea spot. Reminicent of Tranquility Cracks with some tough and hardy trees having managed to grow here.

 

A perfect tea spot

Shortly after leaving here, you rejoin the jeep track. Turn right and head down the road. It winds steeply downwards for about half an hour before a junction. Take the right hand fork and you will be lead back to the reservoir. Once at the reservoir retrace your steps back down the river walk and back to your car.  

 

 

Mountain Walk

Table Mountain is home to many secrets that can only be discovered by hikers. Some obvious and some hidden these secrets vary from man made wonders to delicate flowers to natural phenomenon.  

Here are just some of the wonders you can visit on your Table Mountain walk

Caves and hidden rock crevices

All over Table Mountain often invisible from even a couple of metres are several hidden caves and crevices. Most well known of these is Tranquility Cracks found between Corridor and Slangholie Ravines. Not only are the caves themselves interesting, the amazing trees that have made their homes in these shady, damp areas are beautiful and awe inspiring.

Tranquility Cracks. Table Mountain

A sandy beach

There really is a beach right on top of Table Mountain. It is found at the top of Skeleton Gorge. The rock of Table Mountain is sand stone that when broken down creates sand. Here the sand has all been blown into one area creating quite a large sand dune.

The sandy beach on top of Table Mountain

A tunnel through the mountain

The Woodhead Tunnel was dug through the mountain in the 19th century in order to channel the water from the dams to the pipe track and then on to the city of Cape Town. Although no longer in use the tunnel itself is still in existance.

Squeezing into Woodhead Tunnel on Table Mountain

Amazing rock formations 

The sand stone of Table Mountain has been eroded through millions of years creating some pretty wonderful rok formations which offer the amateur climber some interesting challenges. The camel rock, found on the Constantia corner hike is just one of these.

Camel Rock is just one of the interesting rock formations on Table Mountain

Beautiful and rare flora

The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest and most diverse of the 6 floral kingdoms found on earth. Throughout the year many rare and beautiful flowers appear. Some of the best known are Orchids of the genus Disa.

A disa found on Table Mountain

 A museum on top of Table Mountain

The museum found on top of Table Mountain contains much of the machinary used in the 19th century to build the reservoirs. Inaccesable to anyone who is not prepared to climb Table Mountain this museum is not known to even many Cape Town residents.

The steam train found in the waterworks museum on Table Mountain

 wind blows

The wind in Cape Town is a vital componant of the character of the city and Table Mountain. The South Easterly wind is known as the Cape Doctor as it blows any pollution out of the city bowl and creates the famous Table Cloth on Table Mountain. 

The south Easterly wind creates a cloud that sits on Table Mountain

These conditions then are not perfect for a hike up Table Mountain if you have limited time. A full day hike on the back table is always magic whatever the conditions, but if you were planning a half day hike up either India Venster or Platteklip Gorge you may be disapponted. India Venster because it may be unsafe in extremely strong winds, and Platteklip Gorge because as the cable car is closed in extremely high winds you may also have to hike down, which if you have bad knees or less than 4 to 5 hours available, may be impossible. 

Plan B is a hike up Lions Head.

This smaller peak which is right beside Table Mountain has much the same views as you would get from the top of Table Mountain. In fact the 360 degree views are actually better as you can stand in one spot to see them all. It should take you about 3 hours to go up and down the mountain.

The peak of Lions Head is completely free from cloud

During the South Easter whilst the Table Cloth sits firmly on Table Mountain, the top of Lions Head is usually clear and unless the wind is extremely strong much of the hike up Lions Head is sheltered.

Thew view of Clifton beach from Lions Head

Thus when the wind is howling in Cape Town, one of the best hikes to do is up Lions Head. The views will be great, you’ll be able to work up an appetite and still be down in time for whatever you have planned for the afternoon.