Hiking from Kirstenbosch

Gardens up Table Mountain

Kirstenbosch Gardens is a great place to start a Table Mountain Hike. Parking at either the main entrance or top gate you begin your day with a beautiful walk past the manicured lawns and impressive plants.( Entry to the gardens is R37 per adult R10 per under 18) Established in 1913 and the first botanical garden in the world devoted to indigenous flora, Kirstenbosch is truly a remarkable place and well worth a visit.

There are many paths leading in quite a maze around the gardens. However, as with all navigation in Cape Town, Table Mountain offers a fantastic point of reference and as your aim is to climb the mountain simply take the paths that lead you there. The climb is gentle initially but begins to get steeper the closer you get. Eventually you head up out of the gardens proper and towards the contour path. You are now in thick indigenous forest which in the summer provides wonderful shade.

Once on the contour path, there are 2 main routes to take you right to the top.

Nursery Ravine: Nursery Ravine is found closer to the Constantia End of the mountain. It leads from the contour path up a steep, rocky staircase beside the Nursery stream. The path continues steeply and stays beside the stream for most of the way. Even in hottest summer there are several pools of water for dogs or for cooling your face and hands. After about half an hours tough walking you emerge above the tree line. This is a great place to stop for a break.

Taking a break at half way rock. Above the tree line

Taking a break at half way rock. Above the tree line

From here the path continues to wind its way up the mountain in the open. The impressive castle rock towers over the right of the path offers some shade in the afternoons. After a further 30 minutes you reach a small copse of trees. Another good place for a break before tackling the final section.
 
Looking up Nursery Ravine

Looking up Nursery Ravine

Skeleton Gorge: Skeleton Gorge also leads steeply up the mountain from the contour path. Initially the path is a simple stairway however at about the half way point you need to negotiate a set of 3 ladders. Although quite easy large dogs that can’t be carried and those with a very severe fear of heights may have a problem here.
The first ladder on Skeleton Gorge

The first ladder on Skeleton Gorge

Once above the ladders the path follows the stream bed for a few hundred metres. Here the path is not clear and in the winter can be very slippery. (I would not recommend this route down after rain.)
After about 20 minutes of following the river bed the path leads away from the river and continues more gently up the gorge. After about 15 minutes you get above the tree line and then a further 10 minutes and you are at the top.
From either Nursery Ravine or Skelton Gorge you can follow a number of routes to all parts of the mountain.

Ridgway Ramblers offer both full and half day hikes beginning in Kirstenbosch gardens.