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CAPE TOWN | ACTIVITIES | HIKES

Best hikes in Cape Town

The active city of Cape Town is full to the brim with hikes around Table Mountain. Don't miss what the city has to offer. Kasteelspoort means castle’s portal in Afrikaans and it takes its name from being the easiest way up the castellated Twelve apostles range. The Twelve Apostles are a chain of seaboard peaks behind Table Mountain and are considered part of the mountain range.

We suggest using a guide for any first time hikers on a new trail. A guide knows the weather patterns which can be unpredictable on the mountain, making it a safe experience and also providing insights to enhance you experience.

1) Kasteelspoort

Kasteelspoort is a hiking trail that finishes at the top of Table Mountain. It is one of the easier routes to the top and also one of the most scenic. Starting in Camps Bay the trail gives you a special view overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles. Kasteelspoort means castle’s portal in Afrikaans and it takes its name from being the easiest way up the castellated Twelve apostles range. The Twelve Apostles are a chain of seaboard peaks behind Table Mountain and are considered part of the mountain range. This hike includes some steep sections and two ladders but overall I would not consider it very technical. We recommend having a coffee at the top, above the cable car. Before taking the cable car down to get a different view of the city. If you are an avid hiker looking for a longer route. Descending via Newlands ravine into Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens might be a good option for you.

TERRAIN

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Distance: 5.8Km with a short detour to the diving board (cable car down) 11Km (descending on the same route)


Elevation Gain: 991m

DIFFICULTY

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WE WOULD GRADE THIS HIKE AS INTERMEDIATE TO CHALLENGING HIKE.

TECHNICAL: 3/5

STRENUOUS: 4/5

TIME

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Average time: 3 – 4 hours (cable car down)

HIGHLIGHTS

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THIS HIKE IS RICH IN FLORA AND FAUNA. SPOT BIRDS ENDEMIC TO TABLE MOUNTAIN.

Views: 4/5

FLORA : 5/5

BOOK THIS HIKE

2) India Venster

India Venster is one of the more technical routes up Table Mountain, including a number of scrambles and chains. This route starts at the lower cable station and ends near the top of the cable station at the top. The cable car is an option for the way down. This hike is less strenuous than Kasteelspoort but more technical. The views from India Venster are second to none. First you have the view of the city of Cape Town and Lion’s Head. Secondly, after rounding the corner in the last third of the hike, the view opens up onto the coastline including Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles peaks. If you are an avid hiker looking for a longer hike, descending Kasteelspoort would be a good option for you.

TERRAIN

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Distance: 3.18Km (cable car down), 8.25km (descending via Kasteelspoort)

DIFFICULTY

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WE WOULD GRADE THIS HIKE AS INTERMEDIATE TO CHALLENGING HIKE.

TECHNICAL: 3/5

STRENUOUS: 4/5

TIME

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Average time: 3 – 4 hours (cable car down)

HIGHLIGHTS

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THIS HIKE IS RICH IN FLORA AND FAUNA. SPOT BIRDS ENDEMIC TO TABLE MOUNTAIN.

Views: 4/5

FLORA : 5/5

BOOK THIS HIKE

3) Lion’s head

Lions head is a shorter hike with some small scrambles and steep sections. It is technically easy to moderate but does include some steep sections which may be strenuous for some. The hike spirals its way up the mountain not dissimilar to tinsel on a Christmas tree. This gives the hiker a unique 360 degree view of Cape Town and the surrounding coastline. The route is the shortest of the hikes, featuring only ascending 370m in total from the start point. However the climb is steep from the onset making it fairly strenuous considering the shorter distance. The last kilometer is the hardest featuring steep rocky sections, ladders and chains. There is another split that allows you to skip the chains, if you struggle with heights.

TERRAIN

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Distance: 4.25km (up and down)

DIFFICULTY

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WE WOULD GRADE THIS HIKE AS INTERMEDIATE TO CHALLENGING HIKE.

TECHNICAL: 4/5

STRENUOUS: 3/5

TIME

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Average time: 1:30 – 2:30 hours

HIGHLIGHTS

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360 degree views of cape town, table mountain and camps bay.

Views: 5/5

FLORA : 3/5

BOOK THIS HIKE

4) Skeleton gorge

Skeleton gorge is a truly spectacular hike featuring by far the most foliage and varied terrain of all hikes on offer here. It starts in Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens which is already spectacular to begin with. It then heads up Table Mountain from the East side on a shady path that includes some wooden ladders and a short section where hikers will scramble up a dry riverbed before returning to a path. A lovely predominantly flat section follows on some narrow boardwalks where hikers contour their way towards the top of Table Mountain before taking on the final climb to the top. Technically this hike is not too difficult, people who are scared of heights will be fine on this hike. It is however long in length and fairly strenuous due to this. Anyone who is interested in botanicals, will be absolutely in heaven as this must be one of the most densely populated areas of the world in plant species. It is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom after all.

TERRAIN

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Distance: 7.2km (Cable car down)

DIFFICULTY

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WE WOULD GRADE THIS HIKE AS A CHALLENGING HIKE.

TECHNICAL: 3/5

STRENUOUS: 5/5

TIME

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Average time: 4 – 6 HOURS

HIGHLIGHTS

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bEAUTIFUL START AT KIRSTENBOSCH WORLD CLASS FLORA DURING THE ENTIRE HIKE

Views: 4/5

FLORA : 5/5

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5) SILVERMINE Nature Reserve

Silvermine Nature Reserve is a truly spectacular location for a hike. There’s views of both sides of the peninsula, the mountain is teaming with Fynbos (indigenous plants) and Silvermine Dam is the best swimming spot in Cape Town. Silvermine Reserve gets its name from the mining that took place during the 1600’s, it was believed that the mountain contained silver. Shafts were sunk into the mountain, however silver was not found. This is one of the longer hikes we have featured here, however the route can easily be shortened as there are a multitude of routes on offer here. This route contains a number of amazing view points, such as the top of Constantiaberg mountain, the Sentinel View, Atlas Pool and Noordhoek Peak. The hike is not technical, it offers two main climbs and between these climbs the terrain consists of gentle rolling hills. You will be immersed in the indigenous vegetation. There are many proteas on this mountain which can flower all year round. South Africa’s national flower is a King Protea which can be found here, it is a spectacular sight should you be lucky enough to see it flowering.

TERRAIN

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Distance: 11.96km 

DIFFICULTY

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WE WOULD GRADE THIS HIKE AS non-technical endurance  HIKE.

TECHNICAL: 2/5

STRENUOUS: 5/5

TIME

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Average time: 4 – 6 HOURS

HIGHLIGHTS

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Fanatastic views of both sides of the penisula. Unbelievable plants and bird life. 

Views: 5/5

FLORA : 5/5

BOOK THIS HIKE

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*All of our tours are private and small-scale to provide the most intimate experiences around Cape Town.