Table Mountain Walks

Trip Advisor Rating

December 13, 2009 – 5:07 pm

Having only been posted a couple of months ago Table Mountain Walks is currently rated number 6 on Things to do in Cape Town.  Thanks to some generous clients who kindly took the time to write a review, we have climbed up the ladder from nowhere to the top ten.  Many thanks to those folk who contributed.  If you are interested in having a look check out the Trip Advisor website and look under Cape Town and then under the heading I mentioned. I actually use this website myself before planning a trip and find it very useful.  I also now and again look at questions on the travel forum and answer those that I can.  I do recommend it for both accommodation, tours and if you have specific questions. If  you do making booking for a walk up Table Mountain with us and if you do enjoy it and hopefully have ...

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Better weather on Table Mountain

November 17, 2009 – 3:47 pm

Well last week was one of the wettest ever recorded in November and Table Mountain was not spared.  However the unseasonal rain brought the waterfalls on the mountain back to life giving us some spectacular sights not expected at this time of year. Those who walked with me on 9th November had a great view of Cecilia Waterfall and also a couple of not so easy crossings across fast flowing streams.  I managed to get some got shots which I hope to post on the site shortly in the new gallery section. On a few ocassions after very heavy rain Skeleton Gorge may not be passable.  This seldom happens but one needs to know when to anticipate this as getting half way up and having to turn back may be somewhat disheartening!  Otherwise there are only advantages to the rainfall so long as you see the results rather than experience it for ...

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Beware of bogus guides!

October 27, 2009 – 5:33 pm

Just a warning for anyone who is booking a guided walk up Table Mountain.  There are unfortunately guides presently operating who are not qualified to guide on Table Mountain and not registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism that is a requirement by law. As you the client are paying your hard earned money for this service make sure for your own safety that your guide is properly qualified and registered.  You can do this by contacting the registrar at -   registrar@pgwc.gov.za Unfortunately it is also the case that non specialised operators are using cultural guides to lead hikes on Table Mountain.  This from your point of view is not acceptable and also not safe.  At the moment there is in my opinion a total lack of control of guides on Table Mountain and it is turning into a bit of a free for all.  So make sure you ...

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Hiking at Cape Point

October 6, 2009 – 12:30 pm

Last Friday (2 October) we had a most enjoyable day of hiking in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (also know as Cape Point).  Two American clients and I headed to the reserve early in the morning and were almost the second people to enter the control gate.  Great  - Cape Point to ourselves! We first made our way upwards to the lighthouse in blustery conditions admiring the ocean views and rough seas.  No whales obliged with an appearance but one's thoughts do drift back to past times and the voyages of Diaz and da Gama as they rounded this world renowned promontory. Returning to the car park we next headed off to the Cape of Good Hope and along the amazing cliff path with specacular views of surf and sea and the dramatic Dias beach.   We were lucky to spot a lone dassie who was soon startled by a ...

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A wet week in Cape Town

September 7, 2009 – 6:53 pm

Hopefully if you are coming to Cape Town and want to walk Table Mountain you will be able to schedule for later this week (7th - 13th September).  The next few days we are looking at wet and windy weather although the forecasters have been know on occasion to get it wrong!  September is often a strange month when one expects the weather to improve but if last year was anything to go by I think it was one of the wettest months on record. Last week there were only three decent hiking days and this week its looking much the same.  So that's why you need to plan at least five days in the city so as to be sure to get lucky on at least one of those days.  Of course those hardy folk may be inclined to go whatever but Table Mountain in these  conditions is a most ...

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Website undergoing some changes

August 18, 2009 – 9:12 am

Change is often a good thing so please bear with us while the website is being redesigned. We are not planning anything too radical,  just some new pictures and some changes to the layout.  The site is still fully functional so you can still make a booking or enquiry.  If you have any suggestions please email me  - client input is always appreciated!

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Remember when booking ……..

August 11, 2009 – 12:11 pm

When booking a walk bear in mind that at any time of year the weather in Cape Town is changeable.  Therefore we recommend that you book your walk on the first or second day of your stay.  It may then be possible to reschedule if the weather is unfavourable on the day of your original booking.  If you book your hike on the last day you wont have another option.  Of course if you have booked other tours it might not be possible to change things around but then again it might particularly if it is a scheduled tour. Of course the above advice is particularly applicable in winter but even in summer our weather is variable and the wind is more of a factor.  Along with the south east wind, which blows strongly in the summer months, is the Table Cloth - the cloud cover on Table Mountain.  While this ...

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Walking is the only way up!

July 23, 2009 – 6:19 pm

The cableway is closed for annual maintenance so be aware it's walk it up or stay at the bottom. In all honesty you can get some good city views from Tafelberg Rd but it doesn't compare with being 650 metres higher on top of the mountain.  This time the cableway is closed for 4 weeks altogether and reopens on 17 August. Obviously some people not being aware of the closure are disappointed when they arrive in Cape Town.  Hiking up Table Mountain is not for everyone but many not so fit people walk to the top and down so really its just the desire that is the most important. Also keep in mind on average the cableway is probably closed twice a week due to wind - even in summer  - in fact probably more so as the south east wind blows strongly in the warmer months.  So you can never be ...

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Back from South America

July 6, 2009 – 10:15 am

It's always good to get home although often it takes a week or two to adjust to no longer being on the move and navigating one's way through airports, bus stations etc.  Now back for a week I am beginning to settle down and with the weather being so good (apart from today) it certainly helps one to adjust. Having traveled through the Atacama Desert, the Salar de Uyuni and so many wonderful sights in Bolivia and Chile my motivation to explore more of South America is even  greater.  However in my opinion Table Mountain competes with all I have seen in the Andes and even without the snow it has it own majestic magic.  For anyone considering a trip to these parts of South America I will gladly give recommendations and a more detailed account of where I went and what I did. My third Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was ...

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Taking a break in South America

May 15, 2009 – 12:58 pm

The Cape Town winter weather is really setting in this weekend with gale force winds and torrential rain forecast!  Not exactly the best weather for going on a hike up Table Mountain.  Now we are into  are quiet season so for me it is time to take off and head for other pastures to explore and experience other parts of the world. I head for the Inca Trail again where I will meet up with a group from Ireland and experience the wonders of Macchu Pichu for the third time.  However firstly I travel to Santiago in Chile for a few days and travel overland for just under three weeks to La Paz in Bolivia.  This will take me through the wonders of the Atacama Desert and the Uyani Salt Lakes of Bolivia as well as many other fascinating places like Potosi and Sucre where one can explore some of the ...

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