Hiking Table Mountain: 10 Tips to Get to the Top

Hiking Table Mountain: 10 Tips to Get to the Top

Hiking Table Mountain is not a walk in the park as one might hope. We share our tips to get to the top

Hiking Table Mountain is a rite of passage for visitors to Cape Town. The iconic giant defines the “Mother City” in the same way that Rio has a harbor, New York has a statue, and San Francisco has a bridge.

This mountain is considered one of the oldest in the world. Its formation began about 280 million years ago and some of its rocks date back 600 million years (long before the Himalayas).

At 1,085m, it is not the height of the mountain but its width that is most impressive. The bare, scarred north wall looms over the skyline, crowned by a huge plateau that stretches for three kilometers.

alt=“hiking the table mountain panorama”>Alexcpt_photography/ShutterstockHiking Table Mountain is a rite of passage for visitors

Two secondary peaks flank the main mountain: Lion's Head (669 m) in the northwest and Devil's Peak (1,000 m) in the northeast. Together with Signal Hill, these dramatic peaks form the natural amphitheater of City Bowl and Table Bay Harbour.

Hiking Table Mountain is on most tourist to-do lists, but is often underestimated due to its proximity to the city. Here we share 10 tips to help you get to the top.

1. When in doubt, choose Platteklip Gorge

Distance: 3 km Length: 2 hours (one way)

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There are numerous routes for hiking on Table Mountain. When in doubt, opt for the Platteklip Gorge, the easiest and shortest (but also the steepest) route up the mountain. It follows a well-maintained path that climbs a deep gorge on the mountain's iconic face, and is the route chosen by António de Saldanha in the first documented ascent of Table Mountain in 1503. For an alternative route with even better views, opt for Skeleton Gorge (6.2 km, 4 hours).

2. Start in the right place

The hike up Table Mountain via the Platteklip Gorge does not start at the cable car parking lot. You can start there, but it will add a long traverse across the mountain. So if you take a taxi, make sure you are dropped off at the Platteklip Gorge car park 2km further down the road.

alt="Hiking trails and routes on Table Mountain">SANParks/Fair UseStart at the 'Platteklip Gorge Parking'

If you hike down the Platteklip Gorge you will also end up 2 km from the cable car station. On the way down, look for a sign pointing to the Lower Cable Station. At this point you may want to leave Platteklip, as we did, and use the cross path over the mountain to Lower Cable Station, where you can more easily catch a bus or find a taxi.

3. Don't expect a walk in the park

According to Africa Check, there have been 251 deaths on Table Mountain, a number that would almost certainly be higher had it not been for the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) team. In 2018, WSAR conducted 477 rescue operations or searches in the Western Cape and estimates that over 80% of these were carried out in and around Table Mountain. (That's an average of seven per week.)

WSAR spokesman Johan Marais says: "People underestimate Table Mountain. They misjudge the size of the mountain and are unprepared."

Even the so-called “easiest” Platteklip Gorge route can be challenging if you're not fit, the weather turns bad or you get a late start on a hot day. Don't expect a walk in the park.

4. Actually pack like you're climbing a mountain

Given the deep blue skies and postcard familiarity of Cape Town, it's easy to forget that Table Mountain is a wild place.

alt="Table Mountain in the cold">Quality Master/ShutterstockGray skies remind us that Table Mountain is indeed a wild place

Pack like you're climbing a mountain. Bring sunscreen, snacks, decent hiking boots, a jacket or fleece and at least 1.5 liters of water per person. The weather can change quickly and even under summer skies it can be stormy at the summit, so don't forego the fleece. If you try one of the less-trodden routes, make sure you pack a map.

5. Don't try it alone

Hiking Table Mountain itself can be done alone, but there have been various safety concerns and reports of crime, so we recommend hiking with a buddy or joining a tour.

Have the emergency numbers listed on the SANParks website ready, never show your valuables and hand over your belongings when asked.

6. Be patient

In midsummer, you might find yourself with lots of company while hiking Table Mountain. Above, you'll probably see tourists hogging prime photo spots or generally causing trouble.

alt=“Crowds waiting for the cable car on Table Mountain”>Yorkshire Knight/ShutterstockCrowds of people wait for the cable car

Be patient and keep a cool head. Remember that you are also part of the crowd. Just take a deep breath and wait your turn.

7. Explore the tabletop

Most tourists stay on the observation deck near the cable car station. In fact, few are aware that they are not actually “topped” on the mountain, as the highest point of Maclear’s Beacon is 2.5km from the Upper Cable Station.

alt=“Maclear’s Beacon is the actual summit of Table Mountain”>Barry Ne/CC BY-SA 4.0Maclear’s Beacon is the actual summit of Table Mountain

If you have time, do the Upper Cableway Station for Maclear’s Beacon Walk, described here. The trails around the top of the mountain offer stunning 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay and the rest of Table Mountain National Park.

8. Don't become complacent

Hiking up Table Mountain is strenuous, so it's natural to feel a sense of relief on the way down. However, it would be a mistake to become complacent. Steep steps and loose rock make it easy to slip and fall if you're not careful.

9. Buy cable car tickets in advance

If you only climb Table Mountain in one direction, you have to take the cable car in the other direction. Buy tickets online in advance so that you only have to wait for the cable car and not at the ticket booth.

Keep in mind that you may have to wait in line for an hour or more to take the cable car down the mountain, especially in high season. Allow enough time for the return journey, especially if you plan to do something later in the day.

10. Have a backup plan

If you decide to take the cable car down after hiking Table Mountain, keep in mind that it may be closed halfway through the day depending on high winds, inclement weather, or heavy cloud cover (known as "tablecloth").

After our descent, we met a solo traveler who had barely spent minutes at the top because she wanted to catch the last car after it was announced that the cable car was closed due to strong winds.

alt="You can take the cable car one way when hiking Table Mountain">Daleen Loest/ShutterstockThe cable car may be closed due to strong winds

In the same situation, you may want to take your time at the summit and hike down rather than rushing your visit to take a cable car. In any case, allow enough time to climb back down the mountain before dark.

Hiking on Table Mountain: the essentials

What: Hiking Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

Where: We stayed at The Grand Daddy, a boutique hotel on Long Street, a 15-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront. The hotel is elegant with decidedly quirky touches: the reception is made from old suitcases, the roof has seven artfully renovated Airstream trailers, and the elevator is said to be the oldest still in operation in Cape Town.

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The grandfather

The on-site restaurant serves a great breakfast and the nearby Bombay Brasserie offers excellent fine dining at a reasonable price. The Grand Daddy is a great base, but note that the room on the "standard" floor has no natural daylight. We were moved upon request (after some wrangling with a receptionist). Book a “superior” or “luxury” room to avoid this.

When: The best time to travel to Cape Town is the warm summer months from October to April. Temperatures are highest between December and February and this is also the busiest time.

If you're combining Cape Town with a safari, keep in mind that game viewing is best in the dry winter (May-October), as animals congregate around waterholes and the lack of vegetation offers guests a clearer view. In spring (November to December) you can see many newborns.

How: You can take a MyCiti bus to Table Mountain. This stops at the Lower Cable Station, so you'll need to walk to the trailhead, 2km away, or take a long traverse along the mountain. Alternatively, you can request a taxi or order an Uber through your hotel reception. We organized logistics on the go with Travel SIM, which works in numerous countries with a single card and phone number.

We flew to Cape Town with South African Airways. Book flights at the best prices through Skyscanner.

If you have time, we recommend visiting Lesotho and Eswatini (Swaziland) during your trip to South Africa.

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Lonely Planet South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland is a comprehensive travel guide to South Africa, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

Main image: Ilonde van Hoolwerff/Shutterstock

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