Trekking & mountaineering  

  Table Mountain  

  hikes & scrambles    

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 Some route options  

The following Table Mountain routes are recommended based on previous client’s comments and popularity. Table Mountain, however, offers numerous route options – far too many to list – so if none of these routes appeal to you please contact us so that we can offer further suggestions.

Routes described can be joined together for full-day and overnight hikes!

 Route grading system 

  "A"-grade  

A-grade: Indicates an easy footpath on moderate terrain

  "B"-grade  

B-grade: Indicates a route that requires some easy rock scrambling

  "C"-grade  

C-grade: Indicates a route that requires more difficult rock scrambling and exposed terrain, the guide may secure you using a rope

 Table top circuit 

  "A"-grade  

The easiest way to explore some of Table Mountain on foot. We use the cable car up and down the mountain and hike an easy circuit route across the two “Table Tops”.

 

Magnificent views and a chance to visit Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point.

• Very easy

• 2 – 3 hours, round trip, at a stroll

• No rock scrambling

 Skeleton Gorge  

  "A"-grade  

This hike ascends to the Back Table from famous Kirstenbosch Gardens and can be combined with a garden walk.

 

It is an exciting and beautiful hike which winds its way through indigenous mountain forest and ideal as a hike for hot days. You can descend down to Kirstenbosch for a half-day hike or explore the rest of Table Mountain from the Back-Table.

 

• Moderate terrain with some steep sections

• 2 – 3 hours to the Back Table

• No rock scrambling, but some wooden ladders must be climbed on the way up...​

 India-Venster route  

  "B"-grade  

This excellent route offers a more exciting, scenic and lesser-used alternative to the Platteklip Gorge route on the City side of Table Mountain.

 

For the most part an easy footpath with some exciting, but easy rock scrambling sections included. This route works great as a half-day hike or as the start to a full-day hike and summits the mountain right by the Upper Cable Station.

 

• Moderate terrain with some steep sections

• 2 – 3 hours to the Back Table

• Some moderate rock scrambling needed

 Platteklip Gorge 

  "A"-grade  

The original “climb” to the top, with a first documented ascent in 1503. It is a steep but well defined and maintained route up the mountain and best suited to a quick hike to the top or a visit to Maclear’s Beacon.

 

• Moderate terrain with some steep sections

• 2 – 4 hours to the top

• No rock scrambling

  Kasteelspoort  

  "A"-grade  

An excellent and exciting route on the Atlantic Coast side of the mountain starting above the beautiful beaches of Camp’s Bay and offering fantastic views of the “Twelve Apostles” section of the mountain.

 

The route accesses the Back Table and is best used as start or end of a full-day hike

 

• Moderate terrain with some steep sections

• 2 – 3 hours to the Back Table

• No rock scrambling, but some wooden ladders must be climbed on the way up...

  Lion's Head  

  "B"-grade  

This routes climbs to the summit of Table Mountain’s one sister-peak, Lion’s Head, which offers superb 360° views of the City and Atlantic Seaboard.

 

This is an excellent early morning climb or can be done late on a summers day to watch the sunset.

 

• Moderate terrain with some steep sections

• 1 ½ - 2 hours up and 1 hour down

• Some moderate rock scrambling needed with metal ladders and chains to assist hikers

 Kloof corner ridge  

  "C"-grade  

 Ledges route  

  "C"-grade  

A most exciting and adventurous scramble route, one of the greatest ways to summit the mountain.

 

This route follows the skyline ridge between the City and Camp’s Bay with spectacular views and some awesome scrambling including the “11-inch chimney” and some exposed pitches.

 

• Moderate terrain with some steep and exposed sections

• 3 – 4 hours to the top

• Some moderate to exposed rock scrambling required

• You will be belayed by the guide!

This is an exciting scramble route that leads up from the saddle between Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak and summits the mountain close to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point.

 

From here you can descend by a number of routes or make it a full-day hike.

 

• Moderate terrain with some steep and exposed sections

• 3 – 4 hours to the top

• Some moderate to exposed rock scrambling required

• You will be belayed by the guide!

 Table Mountain guided hiking more info...