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.

Maclear’s Beacon trail
Distance: 5,4 km return
Time: Between 90 minutes to 2 hours, return
Total elevation gain/loss:150 m
Start/finish point: Upper Cable Car Station towards Platteklip Gorge.
Difficulty: 1 out of 5
Terrain: Expect footpaths, boardwalks, and boulders
Parking: Park along Tafelberg Road near Lower Cable Car Station.

Upper Cable Car Station to Skeleton Gorge
Distance: 4,8 km
Time: Between 1h20 minutes to 2 hours.
Total elevation gain: 66 m
Total elevation loss: 395 m
Start point: Upper Cable Car station
Finish point: The top of Skeleton Gorge near Hely Hutchinson Reservoir
Difficulty: 1,5 out of 5
Terrain: Expect boulders and boardwalks.
Info supplied by www.alltrails.com/ TableMountain Aerial Cableway