Six Table Mountain hikes to try

Considering a hike up Table Mountain, but unsure which one to choose?

Here are 6 Table Mountain hikes to check out:

Platteklip Gorge trail

Distance: 5,5 km return
Time: 2 hours return
Total elevation gain/loss: 650 m

Start point: Start the hike on Tafelberg Road, about 1,5 km past the Lower Cable Car Station towards Devil’s Peak.
Finish point (on the top): 700 m away from the cable car station.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Terrain: Expect footpaths, rocks, and boulders.

Parking: Find a parking spot right at the start of the trail or look for parking along Tafelberg Road.

India Venster trail

Distance: 4,3 km to Upper Cable Car station, one way
Time: 2-3 hours from the start to the cable car, one way
Total elevation gain: 722 m

Start point: Lower Cable Car Station
Finish point (on the top): 700 m away from the Upper Cable Car station.

Difficulty: 5 out of 5. This trail is dubbed one of the most challenging and dangerous routes up Table Mountain. It’s not suitable for children or elderly people.
Terrain: Expect rocks, boulders, occasional chains and ladders, and a footpath at the very end of the trail.

Parking: Park your vehicle before or after Lower Cable Car station on Tafelberg Road.

Skeleton Gorge trail

Distance: 7 km return
Time: 2,5-3,5 hours up and down, depending on how fast you walk. Rex
Total elevation gain/loss: 600 m

Start point: Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Finish point (on the top): 100 m away from Hely Hutchinson Reservoir

Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Terrain: Expect footpaths, stairs, rocks, boulders (some quite slippery), and wooden ladders.
Parking: There are two parking areas inside Kirstenbosch Gardens.\

Diagonal/Kasteelspoort trail

Distance:11,5 km loop including distance to the diving board and back to the trail.
Time: 3h30min
Total elevation gain/loss: 680 m

Start point: Kloof Nek parking, at the turn-off to Tafelberg Road
Finish point (on the top): 200 m away from the Diving board

Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Terrain: Expect rocky/gravel footpaths, rocks, boulders, and rocky stairs.
Parking: Kloof Nek parking, but if there is no space, you can park along Tafelberg Road.