Table Mountains waterfalls
along the contour path
One of the nicest shorter hikes on Table Mountain follows the contour path above Kirstenbosch gardens. It takes around 2 hours and takes you past 3 beautiful waterfalls. Just after, or even during the rain these waterfalls can be quite big and the path difficult to follow without getting your feet wet. However if you are not afraid of a bit of a paddle then this is a great walk.
To get there park at Kirstenbosch’s Rycroft (top gate) Gate. Go through the gate and head straight towards the mountain. The path goes pretty much straight up. After about 20 minutes you meet the contour path. Turn right here. Almost immediately you cross the first waterfall. For much of the year this stream is dry but during winter it can become a raging torrent. Although quite narrow it is not always possible to jump accross so you may have to get your feet wet here! Having crossed the stream continue along the path. Your next obstacle is the river that runs down Nursey Ravine. This is a fairly broad river, and usually quite easy to cross by jumping from rock to rock. (I do not count this river as a waterfall as upstream of the path it is not particularly steep.)
The contour path
Once across, again keep following the contour path. Next you come to Skeleton Gorge. Go past Smuts Track that leads up the mountain and follow the path around the corner. Here is dips down to meet the river. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on Table Mountain. A sheer cliff of several metres high falls straight onto the path. Lined with moss and with the indigenous forest above it, this spot is beautiful at any time of year. The path leads directly under the waterfall. However here the river is quite wide and the path quite broad so although you may get your feet wet you don’t feel in danger of being swept away.
The waterfall at Skeleton Gorge
The next and final waterfall is at window gorge. This is the steepest and when in spate has caused me to turn around on a couple of occasions. However, if you make it past here take the next right turn off the contour path, and back into Kirstenbosch gardens.
