The Woody Ravine hike up Table Mountain
Woody Ravine is another route up the 12 Apostles side of Table Mountain. It is found between Kasteelspoort and Slangholie Ravine and reached by the Pipe Track. It is clearly marked at both the bottom and top as being closed and dangerous.
The sign at the bottom of Woody Ravine
Although a small section of the path has been washed away I find this route up Table Mountain one of the best on the Camps Bay side. There is shade at least half of the route and the majority of the path is more stable than either the Oedekraal or Corridor routes.
From the Pipe Track you begin with a steep climb through the trees. The path is clear with well maintained steps.
The bottom of Woody Ravine
After about 15 minutes you emerge above the trees and come to the section of path that has been washed away. Here you need to pick your way over some large boulders for about 50 metres before seeing the path again as it heads off to the left and continues up the gorge.
The section of path that has been washed away
From now on the path is fairly clear. It sticks to the left hand side of the gorge and apart from a couple of places where some easy scrambling is required is very straightforward. On the other side of the gorge the sheer cliffs are impressive. As you start getting to the top of the gorge it begins to narrow with the path being right under the cliffs of the left hand side.
The cliffs on the other side of the gorge are impressive
Eventually the path begins to be less steep and the trees give way to waist high fynbos. Here a stop to look back down the gorge is a must. 15 more minutes and the path levels out completely and meets the 12 Apostles path on the back Table.
