The Smuts Track Hiking Trail on Table
Mountain
One of the most popular hiking trails on Table Mountain takes you from Kirstenbosch Gardens to the highest point on the mountain and then to the main table top. It is a full day hike with most people taking 5 to 6 hours to complete. This time does of course allow for lots of view and snack stops along the way.
Beginning in the spectacular Kirstenbosch Gardens the route takes the Skeleton Gorge trail up the mountain. The gardens are of course beautiful with perfectly manicured lawns and a wide selection of indigenous plants planted in well maintained beds. Once out of the gardens and onto the contour path the path is smaller and shaded by huge indigenous trees such as the Rooiels and yellowwood.
Skeleton Gorge itself is steep initially and the path follows a small stream with some spectacular small waterfalls at the beginning. At about the half way mark it is necessary to climb a couple of easy ladders up some very steep areas.
After this you literally follow the river bed for about 100m. (This section can be slippery in the winter) On arrival at a huge old rooiels tree it is worth relaxing and taking stock. The gorge is still lined with trees some hanging on to walls of the gorge with precarious grip. Large tree ferns are also common and one can be excused for imagining you are in a tropical forest.
From here the path is much gentler and takes you out of the trees and to the top of the gorge. An amazing view unfolds before you. The Hottentot Holland Mountains and False Bay spread out below you with the Southern suburbs and Kirstenbosch now left far behind.
The top of Skeleton Gorge is at 700m so you have a further 300m to climb before you get to Maclears Beacon. The next section of the path though is far less steep with those last few hundred metres being climbed over the next couple of hours. Initially the path is relatively flat as it takes you past Window Gorge. Then it begins to climb in a series of steps. Each step is around 100m, and at the top of each step it is worth looking back over the mountain to see the views unfolding. Eventually you can see right down the peninsula to Simons Town in the South and across Table Mountain to Hout Bay in the West. The dams of the mountain and the 12 Apostles are clearly visible giving a very real perspective of the mountain and Cape Town.
Finally the path takes a flat course along the top of the mountain past Platteklip Gorge to the main table. Here the numbers of people can be overwhelming after the solitude of the mountain but the shop, restaurant and bathrooms are always a welcome sight.
Ridgway Ramblers take regular groups on the Smuts track trail. Join us on our next hike from Kirstenbosch gardens
https://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/full-day-options/