Mountain cableway

Please note that the Table Mountain cable car will be closed for annual maintenance between July 23rd and August 5th 2012.

Please remember:

This does not mean that the mountain is closed!  Hiking is always the best way to see Table Mountain.

Mountain?

Cape Town is increasingly becoming known as a mecca for Adventure sports addicts and thrill seekers. To name  few activities you can do here: Abseiling, Kloofing, shark cage diving, mountain biking etc.

It seems that this year I have seen a lot of paragliders. I don’t know if the weather is more favourable or if I just havn’t noticed them before. The most popular take off point seems to be half way up Lions Head. The take off is actually remarkably undramatic with the pilots runnng down a steep slope and gently taking off.

The take off site on Lions Head

Once in the air the views must be absolutely awesome. The gliders seem to be in the air for ages circling above Camps Bay. The other day I counted 5 in the air at one time.

The passenger sits in front of the pilot and look quite comfortable. Flight time varies on wind conditions and the landing close to Camps Bay also looks very gentle.

Feel like adventure? Give paragliding a try. Its an amazing way to see Cape Town from on high

For more innformation contact stefsa@gmail.com. or look at www.parapax.com.

Mountain

“The Pride of Table Mountain” is one of the names given to the Disa Uniflora or Red Disa. This is a large and brilliant Orchid which is found in the Western Cape mountains during the months of February and March.

The Pride of Table Mountain

The Disa genus is a large group of African Orchids of which 114 occur in Southern Africa. The Disa Uniflora is particularly special due to its size and extremem beauty.

Join a hike on Table Mountain with Ridgway Ramblers who will take you to all the hidden places where the Disa hides away.

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

 

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/

 

 

With summer finally arriving in Cape Town and temperatures soaring into the 30′s this week it’s important to make sure that you are properly prepared for a hike. Dehydration and sunstroke can hit hard and unexpectedly and really ruin your day!!

 Some basic rules for hiking in the heat.

1.  Take plenty of water and don’t rely on there being water on the mountain.

      I  recommend at least 2 litres per person for a 4 to 5 hour hike.

2.  Start early. Early meaning before 8am. Until 11am the temperatures are

     still  relatively cool.

3.  Plan your hike well. Slopes on the Western side of the mountain

    (overlooking Camps Bay) are in the shade in the morning but in the full glare

      of the sun in the afternoon. Many of the gorges on this side have no shade so

      in the afternoon can be almost unbearably hot. Platteklip Gorge on the

      other hand gets the full force of the morning sun and also has no shade.

       Start very early if you plan to climb Platteklip.

4.   Wear a hat and sunblock.

5.   Wear long sleeves and a shirt with a collar.

 6.  Remember dogs cannot lose heat as effectively as us so you really need to

      be careful if planning to take your 4 legged friend on the mountain with you

       this week. Only walk very early and ensure your dog has plenty to drink.

      Keeping the coat wet also helps.

Hiking in the summer in Cape Town is fantastic and the heat is certainly no reason to stay off the mountain. However please plan ahead and make sure you are prepared for the conditions of the day.

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.

The Cape of Good Hope is found an hours drive from the centre of Cape Town at the tip of the Cape Peninsula. A wild and lonely area it holds some of the most magnificent hiking in the world. With ship wrecks, sheer cliffs and a variety of wildlife to add further interest to a walk,  it really is well worth getting off the beaten track and exploring some of the many trails found in the area.

The Cape Point 2 day trail  

The Cape Point 2 day hike is without a doubt the best way to explore the area. On day 1 you follow the False Bay side of the Cape and then on day 2 the Atlantic side. The 2 days are entirely different with day 1 being along cliff tops with steep drops into the sea below, whilst on day 2 much of the day is spent following the beach.

Day 1 follows the cliffs of the False Bay coast

Both days are quite strenuous. Day 1 is considerable shorter but the terrain much harder. On day 2 you travel 20km so don’t be fooled by the lack of gradient.

Hiking along the beach on day 2 of the Cape Point hike

The overnight huts are basic. But comfortable and well equipped. Nothing can beat watching the sun go down on one side of your hut and rising again on the other side the following morning.  

The False Bay scenic walk

For those without 2 days to spare the False Bay scenic walk is magnificent. This follows the overnight trail for the first 5km as far as Kanonkop. (This is an out and back route) The route is relatively demanding as the path meanders up and down quite steeply around the back of Judas and Paulsberg peaks.

False Bay scenic walk

The highlight of this walk is reaching Kanonkop itself. Here you will find a cannon perched on the hill that dates back to the early British occuption of the Cape and was used to signal Simons Town when ships arrived in False Bay.

Vasco Da Gama Peak

Staying on the False Bay side of Cape Point the hike along Vasco Da Gama peak is a short but extremely satisfying hike. It starts at the main parking area at Cape Point itself and heads back North. Initially the path is quite steep with some very easy scrambling. Once at the top the path leads around the back of the peak before descending to the Rooikrans parking area. This route takes an hour one way. So you can either retrace your route, or get someone to drive around and pick you up.

Vasco Da Gama Peak

Gifkometjie Beach

Th Atlantic side of the Cape Point Reserve is characerised by wide expanses of beautiful, harsh and deserted beaches. Gifkometjie beach is just one of these and is found about 6km from the entrance gate. From the parking area there are a couple of possible routes.

1. Gifkommetjie to Platboom beach

Platboom beach is found 3km South of Gifkommetjie beach. From the parking area you descend some steep steps and follow a clear path along a wetland area for about 15 minutes. At the end of the path you find yourself on a rocky beach with kelp beds and rock pools surrounding you. To find your way to Platboom you follow the coast to the beautiful Platboom beach recognisable by its vast expanse of empty white sand. (either retrace your steps or get someone to pick you up at the Platboom parking area)

Platboom Beach lookng towards Cape Point

2. Gifkommetjie to Hoek van Bobbejan

This trail takes you North from Gifkommetjie and along a clear path to Hoek Van Bobbejan. This is a +/-6km circular route. The path is hard to find at times as it leads through dense coastal thickets. After about 3km you come to a junction. Only those with permits can continue straight on as the area directly North is a restricted part of the reserve. You may however turn left towards the coast. The path takes you directly to the Hoek where you can see the wreck of the Phylissia where it ran aground in 1968.

Gifkommetjie beach

To return follow the path back to the juction and follow the 3rd path up the slope. This leads to a ridge and takes you directly to the car park.

Sirkelsvlei

Sirkelsvlei is the largest freshbody of water in the area covering some 6 hectares. It has a maximum depth of 1.6 metres so is generally quite warm for anyone wanting a dip. Although there is no obvious inflow to the vlei  rarely dries up as it is filled by underground aquafers.

The easiest route to Sirkelsvlei is from the link road to Olifantsbos. Park after +/- 2km where a small dirt road joins the link road. About .5km back towards he main road you find a small path leading off into the fynbos. Follow this path for about an hour and you will reach the vlei. (return the same way)

The largest freshwater body in Cape Point. Sirklesvlei

An alternative circular and longer route to the vlei starts in the Olifantsbos parking area. The hike starts on the road side of the boom. After a steep ascent the path leads through the fynbos and past some quite amazing rock formations for about 1.5 hours to the vlei itself. Once at the vlei take the left fork. The path now follows the Southern side of the vlei before heading back to the carpark. Parts of the path are quite stony and difficult to navigate in some areas.

http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/walks-at-cape-point/