The Cecelia Ridge hike up Table

Mountain

The Cecelia Ridge route up Table Mountain is a quick and fun route that takes you from Cecelia Forest to the cement road in about an hour and a half. It is steep with some very minor scrambling and is sometimes difficlut to find initially. However once you are on the path it is quite clear.

To get there park at either Cecelia Forest or top (Rycroft) gate at Kirstenbosch and make your way to the contour path. You then take the Rooikat ravine turn off the contour path. This path is well signposted and is found at the boundary between Kirstenbosch and Cecelia.

The path is well signed off the contour path

The path leads steeply up past a stand of bluegum trees for about 15 minutes. As it levels out you need to turn off the main path and up Cecelia Rodge. Look for a small path that leads up the mountain to the right. It is a little hidden and sometimes difficult to find.

Steep steps lead up the mountain at the beginning of the trail

Once you have found the path it leads almost directly up with a few small zig zags. As it is so steep the path is quite eroded and you do need to use your hands in places.

Sections of Cecelia Ridge require some minor scrambling

The views behind you of the Southern Suburbs and False Bay are great.

The views from Cecelia Ridge are fantastic

After about half an hour of steep climbing the path levels out and after 200m joins the cement road just before the Overseers cottage. From here you can choose from a number of ways down.

Moderate Table Mountain walks

To find a moderate walk up Table Mountain is not too easy. This despite the fact that Table Mountain is only 1080m at the highest point. The problem is that the mountain rises to that lofty height pretty much straight from sea level so most of the hikes actually up Table Mountain are steep and strenuous from a cardiovascular point of view.

However there are plenty of less strenuous and absolutely wonderful walks available on and the around the mountain without actually attempting to climb to the top in one go.

1. Constantia jeep track

The Constantia jeep track leads up onto the back of Table Mountain from the top of Constantia Nek. This is a cement road that gives access to Parks Board and the water board staff to the reservoirs. The road starts at a height of 200m and reaches the first of the reservoirs 3km later at a height of 600m. From here you can either rest at the De Villiers resevoir or follow the road for a further 3km to the waterworks museum. Over this distance is rises to a maximum height of 700m so is not completely flat but is relatively so. This then is still a long walk but the road puts less strain on the muscles than some of the steeper routes.

The jeep track from Constantia Nek offers a more gentle way up onto the back of Table Mountain

2. Hike to Maclears Beacon

If you are looking for a moderate hike on Table Mountain that offers all the classic views and are prepared to cheat a little, then the Maclears Beacon hike is the one for you. On this hike you take the cable car both up and down the mountain and enjoy a walk that is generally flat and should take you less than 2 hours to complete. One of the nice things about this hike is that you do get a chance to escape the crowds at the top of the cable car and really enjoy the nature and wildness of Table Mountain without too much excersion at all.

The hike from the upper cableway station to Maclears Beacon is relatively flat and allows you to escape the crowds.

3.The contour path

The contour path traverses the East and Northern faces of Table Mountain. As the name suggests this route is relatively flat although there are places where it climbs steeply but for very short distances. The entire contour path is around 16km long from Constantia Nek to the lower cable way station so to do the full length would probably not be considered too moderate.  Most people however, choose to do shorter sections as there are numerous access points from Kirstenbosch gardens, Newlands Forest, Rhodes Memorial and Tafelberg road. Much of the Eastern parts of the path offer a shady walk in delightful indigenous forest whilst the views on other sections are quite magnificent.

The contour path offers some wonderful views as well as shady walking

4. The Pipe Track

The Pipe Track is a relatively flat path that follows a contour around the Western facing slope of the mountain. It has the most breathtaking views of Camps Bay and the Atlantic ocean as well as the 12 apostles. The Pipe Track officially ends after 5km at Slangholie ravine although it is also wonderful to follow the continuation of the path for a further km to the bottom of Corridor ravine. This route is very similar to the contour path in that there are very short lived climbs along it, but in general the path is relatively flat. There are less access routes along it that there are on the contour path so in general you do need to do an out back route.

The Pipe Track offers some of the most magnificent views

 These then are just a few examples of some of the moderate hikes that are available on Table Mountain.  Contact Ridgway Ramblers for more information on any of the above hikes.

Hike the Woody Gorge route up

 Table Mountain

To describe any route on Table Mountain as steep is perhaps silly as all the routes are steep. However I really do believe that Woody gorge is one of the steepest. No fiddling around with zig zags as per Platteklip gorge here. This route really is pretty much straight up.

Woody gorge is found on the Atlantic side on Table Mountain between Kasteelspoort and Slangholie ravine. It is accessible from the Pipe track. Due to a rock fall a few years ago this route is officially closed however apart from a couple of exceedingly minor scrambles its a very straight forward route with no exposure.

Woody ravine is officially closed

The first part of Woody ravine takes you through indigenous afromotane forest

Once past the rockfall you begin to emerge from the forest. To your right the sheer cliffs of Slangholie buttress cannot help but take your breath away whilst behind the view of the ocean is equally awe inspiring.

 

Looking back down Woody ravine. The sheer cliffs of Slangholie buttress on the left are incredible

There are a couple of small scrambles (no more than big steps) to surmount before the steps even out and take you up the last section of the gorge.

 

Looking up the gorge

At the top you join the main 12 Apostles path. Right will take you South towards Corridor Ravine, Grootkop and Llandudno ravine whilst left will take you towards Kasteelspoort and the cable car.

 

Explore Tranquility cracks on a

 Table Mountain hike.

Tranquility Cracks are one of those strange and wonderful natural features of Table Mountain that I can visit again and again and never cease to enjoy the beauty of this wonder. Tranquility cracks is basically a labyrinth of corridors through a large section of the mountain with trees that grow in the shelter of the rocks reaching for the light.

Magnificent yellow woods mark the entrance to Tranquility Cracks

The cracks are found on Slangholie buttress. The best way to reach them is via Corridor ravine and the Pipe Track. At the top of corridor ravine turn left onto the 12 Apostles path and walk for less than 5 minutes. You’ll see a small but clear path leading off to your left. Take this and follow it for about 20 minutes. At times it is covered in the thick fynbos but is generally clear until after a sweeping turn to the right it seems to disappear. In front of you is the rocky outcrop where you will find the cracks.

To get into the cracks just follow your nose along the front of this outcrop. There is a couple of small scrambles over large rocks until you see a passage leading up into the rock past a couple of yellow woods.

Tranquility Cracks. A labyrinth of rock corridors

Once inside the labyrinth it is quite amazing and well worth the time exploring a bit. Sometimes you need to squeeze through small gaps and some of the corridors do come to a dead end.

Tranquility cracks

Eventually you come out the other side of the outcrop. Follow the path to where it meets another and turn left. This path will lead you back onto the main 12 Apostles path about 100m from where you left it.

Beware of exploring on a cloudy or misty day.

It is very easy to become disoriented inside the mountain and there are several possible exits so you could end up following a path leading you away from the cracks in entirely the wrong direction if you are not careful. When in doubt retrace your steps and leave the same way you got in.

A beautiful Table Mountain walk

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

.

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

 

The Vlakkenberg hiking trail in

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.

 

 

 

Hike from Silvermine to the cable car

 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/

 

 

Climb to the top of Chapmans Peak

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

One of the best hikes on Table

 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.

The Orange kloof hiking trail on

 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