The ultimate guide to hiking Table Mountain: 22 trails

Hiking table mountain is more than just ascending it via Platteklip Gorge. In fact, there are an array of trials, which you can mix together to go on an ultimate adventure as Getaway did on a multiday hike.

Regardless of the adventure, you could live in Cape Town your entire life and still have a plethora of trails on Table Mountain you hadn’t even considered.

@getawaymagazine Are you the hike or cable-car-up Table Mountain type? Either way there is so much to enjoy when you land on the iconic table top #TableMountain ♬ original sound – GetawayMagazine

Remember, before embarking on a hike to properly prepare, so read our hikers guide to arriving in one piece as well as Mountain Search and Rescue’s safety tips.

Feeling ready? Well then have a look at our guide to hiking Table Mountain with these 22 trails

Picture: Getaway Gallery

Hiking Table Mountain: The Classics

1. Platteklip

Picture: Getaway Gallery/ Dané van den Heever.

Have you ever been to Cape Town if you haven’t hiked Platteklip? One of the most popular routes when it comes to hiking Table Mountain. Consider starting early in summer, the exposed slopes have very little shade and no respite from the heat.

• Start: Tafelberg Road, Cape Town
• End: Table Mountain Summit
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Length: 3 kilometres (one way to Cable Cart station)
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Dog Friendly: No
• Need to Know: Be prepared for a steep ascent and rocky terrain. Carry enough water and wear proper hiking shoes.

2. Indian Venster

Not far off from Platteklip Gorge and taking you along the ledge just below the upper cable cart station, Indian Venster makes for a more exhilarating hike, but not recommended if you are afraid of heights.

The route is not clearly marked on some parts with a few scrambling sections that require some climbing. It’s not too hectic, but the steep ascent and jaw-dropping views can be intimidating, so it’s recommended to hike with someone who knows the route.

• Start: Tafelberg Road, Cape Town
• End: Table Mountain Summit
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Length: 4 kilometres (One way to cable cart)
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Dog Friendly: No
• Need to Know: This trail involves scrambling and exposed sections. Use caution and ensure you have a good level of fitness.

3. Skeleton Gorge

This route is a good alternative for those hot, sunny days as you will be mostly protected by the forest canopy in the gorge and the ice-cold water from the streams a welcome respite from the heat.

Picture: Getaway Gallery

• Start: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
• End: Table Mountain Summit
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Length: 6 kilometres
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Dog Friendly: No
• Need to Know: Prepare for a steep ascent through lush forested areas and be cautious of slippery sections.

4. Devil’s Peak

• Start: Tafelberg Road, Cape Town (on the city side)
• End: Devil’s Peak Summit
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Length: 7 kilometres
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Need to Know: Enjoy panoramic views of Cape Town, but be prepared for a challenging hike with some rocky and exposed sections. Expect some scrambling.

A well-marked route that starts at the end of Tafelberg Road just beyond the lower cable cart station. You’ll reach the Devil’s Peak Saddle after following the zigzagging trail, where you’ll hit a T-junction.  From there, Follow the stream in the direction of Newlands Ravine until reaching the sign for the peak. From here, the ascent becomes incredibly steep and tricky to stay on the correct path.

5. Pipetrack

Picture: David Henning

• Start: Tafelberg Road & Kloof Nek Junction (Just above the parking lot)
• End: Kloof Nek Parking Area
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Length: 6 kilometres
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes

Following the old pipeline that hugs the Western slopes of Table Mountain for around 6 km until it reaches the start of Corridor Ravine. The perfect hike for beginners, with little elevation.

6. Kasteelpoort

Picture: David Henning

• Start: Pipe Track, Camps Bay
• End: Table Mountain Summit
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Length: 7 kilometers
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Dog Friendly: No
• Need to Know: Be prepared for a steep ascent with rocky sections. Take enough water and be cautious of changing weather conditions.

Be sure that you know where this route begins (download a map on your phone) as its easy to miss the turn off from the Pipetrack. Once you’ve taken the turn, the clear trail will take you to the top.

7. Lion’s head

Picture: David Henning

• Start: Signal Hill Road, Cape Town
• End: Lion’s Head Summit
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Length: 5 kilometres
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Need to Know: The trail involves some steep sections and chains. Avoid hiking during strong winds.

We know that this doesn’t technically count as hiking Table Mountain, but is arguably one of the most iconic hikes in the mother city, especially on a full moon.

Hiking Table Mountain: others worth trying

8. Oppelskop via Saddle Path

• Start: Constantia Nek Parking Area
• End: Table Mountain Summit
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Length: 5 kilometres
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: No
• Need to Know: Enjoy a scenic hike through indigenous fynbos. The trail can be rocky and steep in sections.

A moderate trail starting from Tafelberg Road. It involves steep ascents and rocky terrain, taking approximately 4-5 hours to reach the summit of Oppelskop. From the end of Tafelberg Road, just after the Eucalyptus trees, look out for a sign and trail, this is the start of the hike.

9. Porcupine Ravine

Picture: David Henning

• Start: Cecilia Forest, Constantia
• End: Table Mountain Summit
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Length: 7 kilometres
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Need to Know: Be prepared for steep ascents, loose rocks, and challenging terrain. Carry enough water and be cautious of changing weather.
• Dog Friendly: No

A good alternative to Kasteelpoort. the trail begins near the Pipe Track, just above Theresa Avenue, and winds its way up through the ravine. As you ascend, you’ll encounter sections of scrambling, so be conscious of whether or not it rained recently because it can be slippery.

10. Newlands Forest via Contour Path

• Start: Newlands Forest
• Duration: 3 hours
• Length: 6km
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog friendly: Yes
• Need to Know: Trail can become very slippery

Starting at the Newlands Forest Fire Station, the trail takes you up to a wooden walkway, under the cover of lush forests.

11. Orange Kloof

• Dog Friendly: No
• Start: Newlands Forest, Cape Town
• End: Table Mountain Summit
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Length: 8 kilometers
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Need to Know: The trail can be steep and challenging, with some rocky and slippery sections. Carry enough water and be prepared for changing weather.

• Start: Tafelberg Road, Cape Town/ Rhodes Memorial
• End: Woodstock Cave
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Length: 3.5 kilometers
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes

From the Tafelberg Road side, walk until the end of the tarred section. A 100 m further, you’ll see a metal gate with stone pillars, the trail begins just bore the gate. From Rhodes Memorial, follow the path to the Blockhouse. From there, follow the path around the mountain in the direction of Cape Town

13. Kloof Corner Ridge

Picture: Getaway Gallery

• Dog Friendly: No
• Start: Kloof Nek Parking Area
• End: Table Mountain Summit
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Length: 4 kilometres
• Difficulty: difficult
• Need to Know: The trail offers stunning views of Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles. Take note of some steep sections, this is a challenging route and it is advised you do it with a guide or someone who knows the trail.

Offering stunning views of Camps Bay, this trail requires the use of chains and should not be attempted if you have a fear of heights. Follow the trail from Kloof Corner (the steps by the last bend on Tafelberg Road before the cable cart) and make your way up towards the cable cart and look for a set of chains hanging from the rock face to your right (+-  40 m from the beacon) and this is where the fun begins.

14. Myburgh Waterfall Ravine – Llandudno Ravine  

• Start: Farrier’s Way, Hout Bay
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Length: 7 .5kilometres
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Need to Know: Be prepared for some scrambling sections, need to be relatively fit.

From Farriers Way there is a footpath that leads up the mountain. Head there in Winter if you want to see the waterfall, but be wary of slipping. Once you reach the top of Myburgh Waterfall Ravine, the hike becomes less strenuous. You can detour to Judas Peak or continue your hike towards Llandudno.

16. Corridor Ravine

• Start: Theresa Avanue/ Kloof Nek Corner
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Length: 7-8 km (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Dog Friendly: yes
• Need to Know:

The trail takes you up the western slopes of Table Mountain, giving way to great views of Camps Bay and Llandudno. A trail that starts at the Pipe Track, and follows until the end at the top. Consider continuing onto Tranquility Cracks and coming down Woody Ravine

18. Woody Ravine

The descent down Woody Ravine from the Apostles Spine. Picture: David Henning

• Start: Theresa Avanue
• Duration: 3 hours
• Length: 5.3 km
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Dog Friendly: yes
• Need to Know: A steep ascent, so need to be moderately fit to hike up this route.

Woody Ravine descent. Picture: David Henning

One of the better-marked trails on Table Mountain, the ascent starts from the Pipe Track when the trail enters a lush forest in a gorge and a sign points to the trail up the mountain which takes you to the Apostles Spine on the top.

19. Woody Buttress

• Start: Theresa Avanue/ Kloof Nek Corner
• Duration: 3 hours
• Length: 7-8 km (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Dog Friendly: yes
• Need to Know: Follow the gravel road up and around to the right, until you reach a small stone water tank. Just behind it, turn left onto a steep, narrow path. Follow this up to the first band of rock and skirt around it to the left. Start scrambling up the ridge, taking care to follow the cairns as they lead back and forth across the buttress along the line of least resistance.

Read: Hike Woody Buttress, Table Mountain

Instead of a plod up the inside of a ravine, Woody Buttress is a delightful hop, skip and jump up the spine of one of the Apostles. The views may give you vertigo, but it’s hard to beat the pleasure of gripping solid jugs on sandstone monkey stairs as you haul yourself higher or bounding over boulders.

20. Constantia Nek to Woodhead Reservoir

Hiking Table Mountain: exploring the table top

17. Tranquility Cracks

@getawaymagazineThere are many hidden gems in Table Mountain. One of which is a series of interlinking deep and narrow slits and fractures between rocks called the Tranquility Cracks. The Tranquility Cracks are considered one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets. This labyrinth of corridors filled with indigenous Yellowwood trees is not visible from the outside, making it more difficult to find. But once inside, you can have fun squeezing through the narrow corridors. There are several passages and interesting viewpoints to find. Many people try to find the cracks, but few manage to find them.♬ original sound – GetawayMagazine

• Start: Theresa Avanue
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Length: 7-8 km (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Dog Friendly: yes
• Need to Know: Finding the entry to Tranquillity Cracks can be extremely tricky, so it’s probably best to do it with someone who’s been there before or with a guide.

The easiest way to find the entry to the cracks is via Corridor Ravine. Walking towards the Cable Cart along the main Apostles Path, you’ll notice a discrete path veering to the left no obvious destination. This is the path to the cracks, but finding the cracks still remains tricky from there.

21. 12 Apostles Spine

• Start: Theresa Avenue, Cable Cart or Farrier’s Way (Hout Bay)
• Duration: 4-7 hours (depends on route)
• Length: 7 kilometres (depends on route)
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (Depends on route choice.

The 12 Apostles Spine path runs atop the buttresses, from Llandudno to the main plateau. It takes you through the Valley of the Red Gods (see below) before reaching the Cable Cart. The length of the hike depends on your ascent on one of the western slopes mentioned above. It also takes you past the old Cable Cart and diving board, as well as Tranquility Cracks.

22. Valley of the Red Gods

Picture: David Henning

• Start: Theresa Avenue (via one of the hikes mentioned above) or Cable Cart
• Duration: 4-5 hours (depends on route)
• Length: 7 kilometres (depends on route)
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

A beautiful, secluded section of Table Mountain with Fynbos in full bloom. From the cable cart, head South from the cable cart station towards Kasteelpoort and you’ll find yourself walking through the valley. From Kasteelpoort or one of the other ascents from the Pipe Track, just head towards the cable cart.

Also Read: The Other ‘Die Hel’: Hiking the Groot Winterhoek

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