Activities in Table Mountain National Park
-
Table Mountain Cableway
reviewed
-
Table Mountain Hikes
Offers a range of guided day hikes in different parts of the park from ascents of Table Mountain to rambles through Silvermine (from R450). Their full-day hike goes over Table Mountain from the Cecilia Forest and the Back Table reservoirs to descend via Platteklip Gorge (R650).
reviewed
-
Table Mountain Trail
Those looking for a short, comfortable hike can opt for the fully catered three-day, two-night Table Mountain Trail, starting at the Waterfront and proceeding through the City Bowl. The first night is spent at a well-appointed lodge at the historic Platteklip Wash House in Vredehoek, on the lower northern slopes of the mountain. On day two the hike continues up to the cableway and then to the summit and across the mountaintop. The night is spent at the Overseers Cottage on the mountain’s Back Table. On the final day hikers explore the Back Table and descend via the eastern slopes of the mountain to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
The trail costs R1900 per person (base…
reviewed
-
Lion’s Head
The 45-minute, 2.2km hike from Kloof Nek to the peak of Lion’s Head is deservedly popular. A lot of people do it as an early-morning constitutional and it’s a ritual to go up and watch the sun go down on a full-moon night. The moonlight aids the walk back down, although you should always bring a torch (flashlight) and go with company. The track is easy to follow and its start is clearly marked at the top of Kloof Nek Rd, where you’ll also find a national park information hut; it involves a little climbing but there are chains on the rocks to help.
reviewed
-
Hoerikwaggo Trail
Seasoned hikers will relish the challenge of the spectacular six-day, five-night Hoerikwaggo Trail, which, when it’s fully up and running (hopefully in 2010), will stretch around 80km or so from Cape Point to the upper cable-car station on Table Mountain. The trail, for which you need to self-cater, can be tackled in full (R2100) or in two-day, one-night sections (R420). Accommodation is in permanent tented camps with comfy beds in sturdy canvas tents protected by wooden shelters. If you don’t have your own sleeping bag your can hire bedding for an extra R75 per night. A maximum of 12 people are on each hike.
At the time of research three of the camps were operational…
reviewed
-
Cape of Good Hope Trail
You’ll need to book to walk the two-day/one-night Cape of Good Hope Trail, which traces a spectacular 33.8km circular route through the reserve.
The cost is R150 (not including the reserve entry fee) with accommodation at the basic Erica, Protea and Restio huts, each sleeping six, at the southern end of the reserve. You will need to bring your own food and a sleeping bag. Contact the reserve’s Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre for further information.
There are plenty of other great walks in the reserve if you don’t have time for the two-day trail. On the False Bay side, try the straightforward 3.5km walk from Buffels Bay to the spectacular Paulsberg peak, whose sheer cli…
reviewed
