The lofty summit of Table Mountain is Cape Town’s crowning glory, offering a coastal panorama that is second to none.
Whatever else you do during your stay in Cape Town, make sure you make time for a trip to Table Mountain. Sitting higher than 1 km above sea level, it is a challenging climb to reach the summit. The breathtaking vista that awaits you at the top is a fitting reward.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike up the mountain in a little under 5 hours. Recommended trails include the sun-soaked Platteklip Gorge, which is the most direct and popular route. From Camps Bay, you can choose between the Kasteelsport track and the Diagonal Traverse. These will take you straight to the top, but be prepared to stop for a rest along the way!
To reach the summit without breaking a sweat, why not try the Aerial Cableway? Leaving every 10-15 minutes from Tafelberg Road, it will whisk you up the mountain in a matter of minutes. Each cable car has been fitted with rotating floors to ensure that no one misses out on the glorious views. They only run in good weather, so grasp the first sunny day and make your ascent! Free parking for the cable car station is available on Tafelberg Road, just 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre. Public buses also run to nearby Kloof Nek, 1.5 km downhill from the lower cable car station.
Once you arrive at the sandstone plateau for which the mountain is named, why not stop for a quick bite to eat at the Table Mountain Café. This airy, modern restaurant lets you relax and take in the scenery whilst refuelling for rest of the day.
Carpeted in a wealth of flora and fauna, the top of the mountain is home to over 1,500 different plant species. There is abundant wildlife to be found as well, including the rock rabbit, mongoose and even some Tahrs (descendants of Himalayan goats escaped from the local zoo).
As the weather on the mountain is notoriously unpredictable, it’s definitely worth checking the day’s forecast online before setting out. Even on sunny days, make sure you pack a jacket as it can get very cool at the summit.
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