There are about 7 ways to get up this majestic mountain. In 2011 it was named one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
The mountain is truly spectacular and something to behold. There is the conventional aerial cableway but why not get up close and personal with this world wonder. Conquer the mountain with your feet and bear hands, still wear shoes though ?
Below you’ll find the best routes up besides the cableway even though I’ve included prices on what it will cost (converted to USD).
Cable way. 20$(290ZAR) both ways or 13$(190ZAR) one way.
There are actually 3 breathtaking ways to get up this mystical mountain maybe take the cableway down to save your legs for other adventures.
Platteklip Gorge (1 or 2 or 3 hour hike depending on your fitness)
Probably the most popular and straightest route up Table Mountain. You’ll find plenty of hikers doing this route on a sunny day. The little boy in the pictures (Skyler) was 7 at the time whilst hiking up and loved every moment of it.
Platteklip gorge also has its moments. In winter, Snow would collect at the top of the mountain then melts when Mr sunshine comes out and causes a waterfall effect whilst you’re hiking up. You’ll also hear a xylophone being played as you make you’re hike up. Setting the perfect ambience for your hike.
Is a forest type hike but you’re in for a climb.This is actually a ravine that leads you up the back of Table Mountain. The entrance is inside Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens so you’ll need to pay entry fee for that. Roughly 5$(70ZAR). Skeleton gorge will show you almost all the flora Cape Town has to offer. Including an abundance of our National flower the Protea (Protea cynaroides)
This hike is on the camps bay side of Table Mountain. You will make your way up the 12 apostles. It’s a steady climb up a steep ravine which is not covered like skeleton gorge so your hat and sunblock is vital. Because its not covered you’ll also be treated to magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Kasteelpoort hike also presents the perfect photo opportunities. Have a look under the hashtag #Kasteelpoort on Instagram
This is awesome! Thanks for these tips and amazing photos! Lion’s Head is hands down one of my favourite spots in the world, so I really enjoyed this post!
That said, if you had to choose, which is your favourite way up the mountain?
Just a little bit of fun and acting for the camera in the photo above.
If you are a South African Citizen and its your Birthday , Produce your Identification book at the Cable Way Ticket Office and you will get a FREE ticket up and down the Cable Way// How Awesome is that
Table Mountain is thought to be one of the oldest mountains in the world. The rocks of the mountain are approximately 600-million years old. The rocks at the base of the mountain are shale and the rocks at the western side are Cape granite
The highest point of Table Mountain is 1 086m (3 563 feet) above sea level. It’s called Maclear’s Beacon after the man who built a stone cairn at the site in 1865. The beacon was built for a trigonometric survey;
And I hope Joe or others will share some photos and some more facts about this amazing Mountain.
One of the earliest legends is the African legend of the “watcher of the South”
Quamata, is one of the most prominent gods in Xhosa folklore.(Xhosa is a Tribe and a language ) In the legend concerning Table Mountain when Quamata created the earth, the Great sea dragon Nkanyamba interfered and prevented him from creating dry land. To aid her son Quamata’s mother, Djobela, a one eyed earth goddess created four giants to assist her son.
These giants were assigned to guard the North, South, East and Western extremities of the new land.
Following many battles the dragon was defeated and the land created. The giants now asked The Great Mother Djobela, to turn them into mountain. So that even after their death they would be able to continue keeping watch over the land.
The greatest of these giants was “Umlindi Wemingizimu” – the watcher of the South. Who became Table Mountain.
