Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors either using the cableway or hiking to the top. The mountain has 2,285 plant species, of which around 80% are fynbos.

I hiked Cape Town’s famed Table Mountain solo via the Platteklip Gorge trail in mid-May 2026. While the trail is a challenge, it is also incredibly rewarding with some of the most magnificent views I have seen. While the climb is pretty straightforward, having some information and properly preparing is key to having a pleasant and successful ascent up Table Mountain.

I put this guide together to help prepare you for what to expect from Table Mountain, how to get there, trail head options, and other insights and lessons from my experience.

How Difficult is Table Mountain?

This is not a beginner trail.

With an elevation of 3,792m above sea level, Table Mountain is approximately 185 flights of zig zagging stairs: the whole way. There are no “flat parts” and is a continuous ascent to the top and the descent to the bottom can be very rough on the knees.

Table Mountain is considered a high-altitude hike, so breathing can become difficult as you ascend. Be sure to go at a comfortable pace and take breaks as needed.

Depending on skill level, pace, and trail you choose, a one-way hike takes an average of 2-5 hours to complete.

🚠It was recommended to me, by pretty much everyone, to hike UP Table Mountain and take the cable car back down. This allows to have the experience of the hike as well as take in the views and experience of the cable car, while also preserving the knees. Within 15 minutes of the ascent, I immediately knew why everyone recommended this approach to Table Mountain, as the ascent would have been doable, it would have been difficult on my body.

What to Bring to Hike Table Mountain

While a full trekking pack isn’t necessary, there are some key things to bring with you when climbing Table Mountain.

Here is a list of things I am glad I brought with me, and wish I had had:

🥾 Good hiking boots. This is a proper hiking trail and proper hiking shoes or boots are strongly encouraged. Did I see people on the trail in sambas or Nike high-tops? Yes. Did I also see them slipping and sliding on the rocks? Yes.

I was very glad to have been in hiking boots, and especially glad they were waterproof as there were a couple of points where stepping through water was unavoidable.

do I need hiking boots for table mountain.jpg

💦Water, and lots of it. The recommended amount of water to climb Table Mountain is 1.5-2 liters, but I brought 3 liters and was glad for every drop.

☀️Sunscreen: The trail is quite open with very little shade, and the sun can be very strong.

🧢A hat to protect your head and face from the sun, as well as help manage sweat. ⭐If hiking in late Fall, Winter, or Early Spring: It is highly recommended to also bring a winter hat or headband as it can be very cold and windy at the top.

🍌Snacks: While the hike is typically under 4 hours, you will be exerting a lot of energy, so be sure to have heavy fuel with you.

❄️If you are climbing Table Mountain in cooler months: be sure to have a warm layer of clothes, wind breaker, and even gloves with you. As you ascend, it can get VERY windy and cold. I started my hike in a tank top and shorts and ended in hiking pants, a long sleeve shirt, and windbreaker… and was still cold.

📸A Camera: The views are photos from along the trail and the top of Table Mountain are breathtaking and memories you will want to capture.

Where is the Starting Point to Climb Table Mountain?

There are three marked trails that will take you to the summit of Table Mountain.

In order of difficulty, the Table Mountain hiking trail options are: Platteklip Gorge, Skeleton Gorge, and India Venster.

Here is how to find each of them, and a bit about each trail.

📍 Platteklip Gorge

The most direct, and commonly used, trail up to Table Mountain starts at Platteklip Gorge, which is about 1km from the bottom of the cable car.

⭐This is the route that I took, so the majority of information here will pertain to the Platteklip Gorge ascent.

📍Skeleton Gorge (via Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens)

For a bit more of a challenge, you can ascend Table Mountain from Skeleton Gorge. I hiked Skeleton Gorge the day before hiking Table Mountain (not the best plan) and it was absolutely incredible with it’s indigenous Afro-temperate forest resembling the Amazon.

Table Mountain Trail head from botanical garden.jpg

This section of the hike offers beautiful waterfalls, lush greenery, and a shaded natural canopy, but also adds approximately an hour and half to the summit of Table Mountain, as well as some more challenging terrain than Platteklip Gorge.

As an added note top of Skeleton Gorge does not take you directly the summit of Table Mountain. Getting there (where the cable car) is another 45–60-minute walk across the top of Table Mountain. While this does add additional time, it is mostly flat and offers views those who chose the Platteklip Gorge route don’t get.

📍India Venster

The most challenging of the Table Mountain hiking routes, the India Venster trail is a steep ascent with rock scrambles, chains, and ladders. I considered this route, but for my first climb up and doing it solo, opted for Platteklip Gorge.

I would absolutely love to take on the challenge of the India Venster trail next time I am in Cape Town though! It is said to offer the best views of all the Table Mountain hiking routes, as well as the most mixed terrain.

The ascent up this trail is 3.7km and on average takes 3-5 hours depending on fitness levels.

If you are looking to take on the more challenging route up Table Mountain and would prefer to do so with a local guide, this is a great option. ⬇️

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How to Get to the Table Mountain Trail Head?

📍Platteklip Gorge

The starting point of Table Mountain is easily accessed via Uber/Bolt and takes about 20 minutes from the city center and will cost approximately R65-80.

⭐Be sure your driver knows you are going to the Gorge or “Hike Starting Point” because they will oftern take you to the bottom of the cable car, with is another 1km from the trail starting point.

If you have a car, it is an easy drive from anywhere in the city and there is parking near the starting point, along the road.

🚌There is also a MyCiti bus stop neat the Table Mountain Cable Car lower station. This will add about a kilometer to your journey but is the most affordable option.

📍Skeleton Gorge

If you have limited time in Cape Town, or just want to combine activities, visiting Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens then trekking up Table Mountain via Skeleton Gorge is a great option.

🗺️Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town, 7735, South Africa

You can easily take a 20-25 minute Uber or Bolt to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, visit the gorgeous Gardens, enjoy the tree canopy walkway and then head up to Skeleton Gorge from there.

⭐Keep in mind if you drive to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, you will not return here if you take the cable care back down.

📍India Venster

🗺️Contour Path, Table Mountain (Nature Reserve), Cape Town, South Africa

Like Platteklip Gorge, the India Venster trail begins near the lower cable car. You can use “Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Cafe” in Google Maps or Uber/Bolt, the starting point is just to the left.

There is a parking lot near the lower cable car, as well as parking along the roadway.

🚌There is also a MyCiti bus stop neat the Table Mountain Cable Car lower station, which takes you within a 10-minute walk to the India Venster trailhead.

Is it Safe to Hike Table Mountain Solo?

While hiking solo in Cape Town has been ill-advised in the past, that seems to have shifted in recent times. My house sit house is an avid hiker and told me she has hiked solo without concern much more frequently in recent years. I heard from many other women that they felt confident and safe hiking solo in Cape Town.

I hiked Table Mountain solo and never once felt uncomfortable or unsafe. I passed a handful of other solo hikers (including two women) as well.

If you are not comfortable solo hiking or just prefer to hike with a guide or group, there are many options to do so when hiking Table Mountain. Ascending with a group of guide offers safety, as well as encouragement, people to pass time chatting with, and someone to snap those amazing photos!

If you are looking for a top-rated Table Mountain guided hike, these are great options ⬇️

Table Mountain Summit

Once you reach the trail summit, through the final gorge, you will come to an open space with amazing views. Take some time to wander around, take some photos, and pat yourself on the back! You made it!

Well almost!

The cable car is still about a 10–15-minute walk away. But there is no need to rush. Take your time and snap those amazing photos and just enjoy the views. There are so many different vantage points from the summit, offering different perspectives of the city and water below, as well as Lion’s Head Mountain.

At the summit, near the Table Mountain Cableway, you will also find bathrooms and a cafe where you can hot and cold drinks, beer and wine, light bites and well earned sweet treats. There is some indoor seating, but it is quite limited. *The line can look very daunting and a bit chaotic, but moves very quickly.

🚠Table Mount Cable Car

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is a great option to get to the summit of Table Mountain without the climb, or to take one way to get a mixed experience of the 360 cable car views and the adventure of the hike.

I opted to hike up Table Mountain and take the cable car back down and was glad to have the experience of both (as were my legs!)

The views from the cable car are breathtaking, and the rotating car truly offers 360 views from wherever you are inside.

How much is the table mountain cable car.jpg

🎟️R295 (approx $18) one way and R450 ($27) RT

Tickets can be purchased on-line in advance or on-site via self-service machines or live agent (all discounted tickets, such as student or senior, need to be purchased from a live agent).

🕐The first car up of the day is at 8:30a and last cable car down is at 6p

💨The cable car is weather dependent, and is often suspended in high winds (which are common in the winter months). Be sure to check weather conditions prior to starting an ascent if you plan to take the cable care back down.

🌐For more information, weather conditions, and advance tickets, click here

Cape Town’s Table Mountain is striking from afar, from the base and from atop other nearby peaks, but having the experience of climbing up Cape Town’s most iconic mountain is an unbeatable experience.

If you are up for the challenge, hiking Table Mountain should absolutely be on your Cape Town itinerary. It is one of the most rewarding day hikes I have done and one I will not soon forget!

With proper planning, and this live-it-learn it guide, you are also sure to have an epic experience conquering Table Mountain!

Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Table Mountain

How Difficult is Table Mountain?

What to Bring to Hike Table Mountain