What is the best hike on Table Mountain?

As a Table Mountain guide I am often asked which is my favourite route.

Of course this is a nearly impossible question to answer. It depends on so many variables. The time of year, who I am with, how energetic I am feeling etc. However, one walk that I always take immense pleasure in at any time of year, in any company and whatever my mood is the Rookat Ravine cecelia waterfall route

This walk, which you can begin either at Cecelia Forest or at Kirstenbosch can be done in 2 hours, with no stops and a good fast pace. It can also be stretched into a good half day hike with plenty of time to enjoy the beauty and peace of the perrenial waterfall that is the object of this walk.

I prefur to start at Cecelia Forest and follow the river up to the contour path. From here you carry on up into the indiginous forest of the lower slopes of the mountain. This initial part of the walk is a steady climb until 450m, where the path levels out and follows the contour along the mountain. The waterfall is reached after about 15 minutes along this path. A beautiful tranquil spot. The waterfall itself is about 18m high, and covered with green moss. Several trees grow out of the cliff and hang at perilous angles. During the winter the water falls in a continuous trickle forming a water curtain that is wonderful for the hot hiker. During the summer this stream slows to a continuous drip. Never drying up completely.

After spening some time in the shade and peace of this place. The path leads up and out. Down into another gorge, (dry this time) up again, and drops down to rejoin the contour path above Kirstenbosch.

roikat ravine