Walking the cliff path from
Maclears Beacon
There are 2 ways to walk from Maclears Beacon to Platteklip Gorge. Both take you across the Central Table area of Table Mountain. On a clear day the cliff path takes you right along the front of Table Mountain overlooking the city.
This is a wonderful path with unbeatable views of the cable car, Lions Head, the entire city and Table Bay. Although never too precipitous it is definitely not a route to take if it is very wet or windy. Just one mistep and you could fall all the way to Tafelberg rd below.
The view from the cliff path towards the cable car
To find the path walk from Maclears Beacon back towards the Southern Suburbs. After about 100m you reach a cross roads. Turn left towards Devils Peak. After another 1oom and a short scramble down you again turn left and head towards the cable car. Initially the path leads you along a boardwalk through a wetland filled with restio’s. Marshlike, and unable to see either the city or the cablecar you could be anywhere in the world. However after about 750m you reach the path along the cliff. This path leads you for about 1km. Several stops to admire the views are mandatory.
The path through the marshlands on the central table area
Finally the path heads back towards the top of Platteklip gorge and joins up with the main path. To keep going straight would lead you to the sheer cliffs that line the gorge making it such a spectacular climb. Once at the top of Platteklip gorge you can decide on a multitude of routes down the mountain.
The view of the city, from the cliff path
Maclears Beacon which is the highest point on Table Mountain can be part of an easy half day walk or a tough full days walk.
https://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/half-day-options/
https://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/full-day-options/
