Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge
R0 - Free!
2.5 to 3.5 hours
This is the simplest and most common route for climbing up Table Mountain. You start from Tafelberg Road and proceed up a steep gully to the top of Table Mountain. Once at the top the Cable Station is a short (10 minutes) walk away so you could even take the cable car down. This little add-on is well worth it just for the views over the city, Atlantic ocean and Robben Island.
Although it is very steep this route is extremely popular and you are guaranteed to meet many people on the way up and down. The gorge is shaded in the afternoon but earlier in the day it can be extremely hot with very little shade.
Most of the route involves rock steps which can be challenging and many people find coming down even harder than going up. Don't underestimate the time and energy required for the downward section of this hike.
- Remember to take lots of water - this climb can be hot!
- Leave plenty of time to get down before dark. This is a well known route but it can still be dangerous
- If Platteklip seems boring there is a less well known but more exciting route up the mountain called India Venster. This route moves up the mountain under the cable cars and is a little trickier. However, it is less busy and more exciting than old Platteklip.
Platteklip Gorge is accessed from the same road that feeds the Cableway which is very well signposted
- Drive up Kloofnek Road from the city of Camps Bay
- At the top of the hill there is a turn (left if you are coming from the city) towards the mountain (Cableway signs)
- Platteklip starts about 1km past the cable station. There is a little parking area and a hut
Planning on coming down the cable way?
Remember that the cable way can shut at any time due to high winds, so you must plan your trip on the basis if having to walk up and down. Don't depend, in trerms of time or your fitness level, that you can come down the cable way.
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