Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Table Mountain
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.
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 and pace, a one-way hike takes an average of 2-4 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.
💦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 train 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?
📍 Platteklip Gorge
The most direct 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 care 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.
🎟️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
