Table Mountain Walks

Cape Town hiking

November 8, 2010 – 5:18 pm

Of course everyone has heard of Table Mountain, Cape Town's famous landmark but not so many are aware that there is great hiking all over the Cape Peninsula.  Unfortunately most visitors dont have a week or more in Cape Town and therefore only have time for one day of walking.  However if you are lucky enough to have more time here then you might want to think about exploring Silvermine Nature Reserve . This area just south of the city is seldom visited by tourists and has so much offer without quite the same effort as Table Mountain requires.  There are a variety of routes from easy strolls to more taxing hikes, panoramic views, intricate rock formations and pristine fynbos.  After your hike you can take a dip in the Silvermine Reservoir and enjoy the tranquility and unique setting. Some of my suggestions are - Start at the reservoir and hike to Noordhoek ...

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Which route to choose

October 2, 2010 – 4:40 pm

Having difficulty deciding which route to choose?  Much depends on how much time you have for the hike and how many hours you feel comfortable walking.  The shortest route is Platteklip Gorge, the trail up the front face of the mountain - average time of 2 1/2 hours to the cableway.  However do not be deceived - the trail is steep and stepped - all rock steps, many high and a little use of hands required.  Despite the steepness of the ascent this is still the best route for the not so fit to take.  While ascending you can enjoy expansive views of the city of Cape Town and beyond,  gradually narrowing but no less dramatic as you make your way upwards. If you have a little more time to spare rather choose Kasteelspoort (from the western or Twelve Apostles side of Table Mountain) or Skeleton Gorge which ascends from the ...

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Back from South East Asia

August 30, 2010 – 10:02 am

A week has passed already and only now have I had a moment to update everyone on my trip.  Mostly the weather has been good since my return so a number of people have had glorious days on Table Mountain. Mt Rinjani is very spectacular and for the most part not a difficult hike.  Having said that the terrain at times is tough going and most people are crawling in part to the summit rather than walking.  We camped three nights in total and did a point to point route across the volcano including one night in the crater itself.  The last eruption was only in May and one can see evidence of the most recent lava flow.  The one criticism I have is the lack of care the park authorities are providing to this pristine area.  There is an amount of rubbish that I have never seen anywhere before and ...

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Heading for Mt Rinjani and Komodo Islands

July 26, 2010 – 6:50 pm

Time for another trip after a hectic couple of months with the World Cup taking place and the many fans who came to watch and hike Table Mountain.  August is generally a quieter month in Cape Town but not necessarily a bad time to visit - just a little luck with the weather is needed.  So far the weather this winter has been exceptional.  Yesterday on top of Table Mountain must have been around 20C, not a cloud and not a breath of wind.  Perfect!  The school group from Exeter not only scaled Table Mountain in what must have been a record time for a group of over 40 but had the best day to do it. I am away now for 4 weeks - 2 weeks in Indonesia and the rest of the time in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. The main highlights will be the hike to the top of ...

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Table Mountain - snow, sun and some wind!

July 14, 2010 – 4:11 pm

As you might expect in winter we experienced a whole variety of weather conditions during the World Cup.  The last couple of days have been particularly cold on top of Table Mountain.  However 15th June was definitely the coldest with even some snow on top.  Not exactly a blanket but patches which were most certainly snow. This has happened before but not for a number of years and in these conditions you do need to be well prepared and preferably with a woolly hat and gloves - not something you might think of when coming to Africa. Despite the fact that we are in mid winter only two walks were canceled during the 4 weeks of the World Cup and walks took place everyday except last Sunday and Tuesday 29th June - not bad!  Most people experienced near perfect conditions - a couple of days were too windy for the cableway ...

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The fans are here - and on top of Table Mountain!

June 14, 2010 – 10:14 am

At last the wait is over and the big moment has arrived.  A good start by Bafana Bafana and a bit of a shaky start by England have been the highlights so far as well as of course a strong first match win by Germany. Other then the football I hope the fans are finding time to see the many sights that South Africa has to offer.  Cape Town unlike Johannesburg experiences its wet season in winter with today being an excellent example - it is pouring!  Two disappointed Mexican fans have rescheduled their walk for later in the week when fine warmer weather is predicted. If you are coming to Cape Town in the winter months you can have days like last Friday when three England fans had the most glorious day on Table Mountain or you can have a day like today - no go.  Flexibility is the key ...

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Back from Borneo

May 9, 2010 – 4:33 pm

How come it always the same -  when you return from holiday it seems like you were away for ages and then after 24 hours it seems like you never went away at all?  I dont know the answer but for me it is always like that. I was in fact away for two and a half weeks but as so much happened and every day was different it felt like a nice long break.  I would certainly recommend Borneo for anyone who is interested in nature and it is also famous for its beaches and resorts and some of the best scuba diving in the world. I concentrated mainly on the mountains and nature side rather than anything under the water and I was certainly rewarded with some great experiences and sights.  Mount Kinabalu I found very special and luckily with clear sides I was fortunate to have great views from ...

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Bound for Borneo!

March 3, 2010 – 12:00 pm

Well not yet but next month I am heading for Borneo for a 2 week holiday to explore this unique island paradise.   For anyone wanting to book hikes during this period (21 April to 8 May) dont worry Kim will be available to guide you.  She will also assist with email enquiries  as I will be away from the internet for I think up to four or five days at a time.  I am really looking forward to this trip.  For the last three years I have headed  for South America which was great but it will be interesting to see part of another continent with different culture and scenery. My plan is first to climb Mount Kinabalu which I think is around 4000 metres.  I am also going to  attempt the via ferrata on the mountain which is similar to the one they have in the Dolomites but not ...

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Well done Tony and Bernard!

February 7, 2010 – 10:59 am

Most people find hiking up Table Mountain a challenge but if you happen to be blind then it is hard to imagine just how more difficult it must be.  On 22 January Tony accompanied by his helper hiked not only to the top of Table Mountain but did the longer and more difficult route to navigate  - Skeleton Gorge.  This route has a number of ladders and also a scrambling section which requires a level of agility and coordination.  Quite how he managed with no obvious difficulty I do not know.  Listening to guidance from Wendy and maybe confused by some from me he defied my expectations and completed the hike to the cableway in 4hrs and 45 mins, a very respectable time for anyone!  Tony also windsurfs and sails and travels extensively.  He is surely an inspiration and especially one to those thinking of tackling this route. On February 4th ...

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Children hiking up Table Mountain

January 12, 2010 – 4:17 pm

Over the years I have hiked with many children up Table Mountain but the question is at what age should children attempt this?  As a general guide line I say about 9 years old.  I have walked with a couple of children a little younger than this but you are really asking a lot of them and if they dont enjoy it you may put them off hiking forever. Platteklip Gorge is the shortest route and a safe one up the front of Table Mountain.  Skeleton Gorge is more fun for children because of the rock scrambling and ladders but time and distance wise it is twice as long so for younger children with less stamina it might not be suitable. I have seen tourists but more often locals hauling children barely able to walk up the mountain.  I consider this foolish and not fair on the children who have no choice ...

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