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