The final word information to climbing Desk Mountain: 22 trails

Mountaineering desk mountain is extra than simply ascending it by way of Platteklip Gorge. The truth is, there are an array of trials, which you’ll combine collectively to go on an final journey as Getaway did on a multiday hike.

Whatever the journey, you might dwell in Cape City your complete life and nonetheless have a plethora of trails on Desk Mountain you hadn’t even thought-about.

@getawaymagazine Are you the hike or cable-car-up Desk Mountain sort? Both approach there may be a lot to take pleasure in whenever you land on the enduring desk prime #TableMountain ♬ original sound – GetawayMagazine

Bear in mind, earlier than embarking on a hike to correctly put together, so learn our hikers guide to arriving in one piece in addition to Mountain Search and Rescue’s safety tips.

Feeling prepared? Nicely then take a look at our information to climbing Desk Mountain with these 22 trails

Image: Getaway Gallery

Mountaineering Desk Mountain: The Classics

1. Platteklip

Image: Getaway Gallery/ Dané van den Heever.

Have you ever ever been to Cape City in the event you haven’t hiked Platteklip? One of the vital in style routes on the subject of climbing Desk Mountain. Take into account beginning early in summer season, the uncovered slopes have little or no shade and no respite from the warmth.

• Begin: Tafelberg Street, Cape City
• Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
• Period: 2-3 hours
• Size: 3 kilometres (one technique to Cable Cart station)
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: No
• Have to Know: Be ready for a steep ascent and rocky terrain. Carry sufficient water and put on correct climbing footwear.

2. Indian Venster

Not far off from Platteklip Gorge and taking you alongside the ledge slightly below the higher cable cart station, India Venster makes for a extra exhilarating hike, however not really helpful in case you are afraid of heights.

The route isn’t clearly marked on some components with just a few scrambling sections that require some climbing. It’s not too hectic, however the steep ascent and jaw-dropping views will be intimidating, so it’s really helpful to hike with somebody who is aware of the route.

• Begin: Tafelberg Street, Cape City
• Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
• Period: 3-4 hours
• Size: 4 kilometres (One technique to cable cart)
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: No
• Have to Know: This path includes scrambling and uncovered sections. Use warning and guarantee you could have degree of health.

3. Skeleton Gorge

This route is an effective different for these sizzling, sunny days as you can be largely protected by the forest cover within the gorge and the ice-cold water from the streams a welcome respite from the warmth.

Image: Getaway Gallery

• Begin: Kirstenbosch Nationwide Botanical Backyard
• Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
• Period: 4-5 hours
• Size: 6 kilometres
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: No
• Have to Know: Put together for a steep ascent by way of lush forested areas and be cautious of slippery sections.

4. Satan’s Peak

• Begin: Tafelberg Street, Cape City (on town facet)
• Finish: Satan’s Peak Summit
• Period: 3-4 hours
• Size: 7 kilometres
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: Sure
• Have to Know: Get pleasure from panoramic views of Cape City, however be ready for a difficult hike with some rocky and uncovered sections. Count on some scrambling.

A well-marked route that begins on the finish of Tafelberg Street simply past the decrease cable cart station. You’ll attain the Satan’s Peak Saddle after following the zigzagging path, the place you’ll hit a T-junction.  From there, Comply with the stream within the course of Newlands Ravine till reaching the signal for the height. From right here, the ascent turns into extremely steep and difficult to remain on the right path.

5. Pipetrack

Image: David Henning

• Begin: Tafelberg Street & Kloof Nek Junction (Simply above the parking zone)
• Finish: Kloof Nek Parking Space
• Period: 2-3 hours
• Size: 6 kilometres
• Issue: Straightforward to average
• Canine Pleasant: Sure

Following the outdated pipeline that hugs the Western slopes of Desk Mountain for round 6 km till it reaches the beginning of Hall Ravine. The right hike for inexperienced persons, with little elevation.

6. Kasteelpoort

Image: David Henning

• Begin: Pipe Monitor, Camps Bay
• Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
• Period: 4-5 hours
• Size: 7 kilometers
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: No
• Have to Know: Be ready for a steep ascent with rocky sections. Take sufficient water and be cautious of adjusting climate circumstances.

Make sure that you already know the place this route begins (obtain a map in your cellphone) as its straightforward to overlook the flip off from the Pipetrack. When you’ve taken the flip, the clear path will take you to the highest.

7. Lion’s head

Image: David Henning

• Begin: Sign Hill Street, Cape City
• Finish: Lion’s Head Summit
• Period: 2-3 hours
• Size: 5 kilometres
• Issue: Average
• Canine Pleasant: Sure
• Have to Know: The path includes some steep sections and chains. Keep away from climbing throughout sturdy winds.

We all know that this doesn’t technically depend as climbing Desk Mountain, however is arguably one of the vital iconic hikes within the mom metropolis, particularly on a full moon.

Mountaineering Desk Mountain: others value attempting

8. Oppelskop by way of Saddle Path

• Begin: Constantia Nek Parking Space
• Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
• Period: 3-4 hours
• Size: 5 kilometres
• Issue: Average
• Canine Pleasant: No
• Have to Know: Get pleasure from a scenic hike by way of indigenous fynbos. The path will be rocky and steep in sections.

A average path ranging from Tafelberg Street. It includes steep ascents and rocky terrain, taking roughly 4-5 hours to succeed in the summit of Oppelskop. From the tip of Tafelberg Street, simply after the Eucalyptus timber, look out for an indication and path, that is the beginning of the hike.

9. Porcupine Ravine

Image: David Henning

• Begin: Cecilia Forest, Constantia
• Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
• Period: 5-6 hours
• Size: 7 kilometres
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Have to Know: Be ready for steep ascents, unfastened rocks, and difficult terrain. Carry sufficient water and be cautious of adjusting climate.
• Canine Pleasant: No

A superb different to Kasteelpoort. the path begins close to the Pipe Monitor, simply above Theresa Avenue, and winds its approach up by way of the ravine. As you ascend, you’ll encounter sections of scrambling, so take heed to whether or not or not it rained not too long ago as a result of it may be slippery.

10. Newlands Forest by way of Contour Path

• Begin: Newlands Forest
• Period: 3 hours
• Size: 6km
• Issue: Average
• Canine pleasant: Sure
• Have to Know: Path can change into very slippery

Beginning on the Newlands Forest Hearth Station, the path takes you as much as a picket walkway, beneath the duvet of lush forests.

11. Orange Kloof

• Canine Pleasant: No
• Begin: Newlands Forest, Cape City
• Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
• Period: 4-5 hours
• Size: 8 kilometers
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Have to Know: The path will be steep and difficult, with some rocky and slippery sections. Carry sufficient water and be ready for altering climate.

• Begin: Tafelberg Street, Cape City/ Rhodes Memorial
• Finish: Woodstock Cave
• Period: 2-3 hours
• Size: 3.5 kilometers
• Issue: Average
• Canine Pleasant: Sure

From the Tafelberg Street facet, stroll till the tip of the tarred part. A 100 m additional, you’ll see a steel gate with stone pillars, the path begins simply bore the gate. From Rhodes Memorial, observe the trail to the Blockhouse. From there, observe the trail across the mountain within the course of Cape City

13. Kloof Nook Ridge

Image: Getaway Gallery

• Canine Pleasant: No
• Begin: Kloof Nek Parking Space
• Finish: Desk Mountain Summit
• Period: 2-3 hours
• Size: 4 kilometres
• Issue: tough
• Have to Know: The path gives beautiful views of Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles. Pay attention to some steep sections, it is a difficult route and it’s suggested you do it with a information or somebody who is aware of the path.

Providing beautiful views of Camps Bay, this path requires the usage of chains and shouldn’t be tried if in case you have a worry of heights. Comply with the path from Kloof Nook (the steps by the final bend on Tafelberg Street earlier than the cable cart) and make your approach up in direction of the cable cart and search for a set of chains hanging from the rock face to your proper (+-  40 m from the beacon) and that is the place the enjoyable begins.

14. Myburgh Waterfall Ravine – Llandudno Ravine  

• Begin: Farrier’s Method, Hout Bay
• Period: 4-5 hours
• Size: 7 .5kilometres
• Issue: Strenuous
• Have to Know: Be ready for some scrambling sections, have to be comparatively match.

From Farriers Method there’s a footpath that leads up the mountain. Head there in Winter if you wish to see the waterfall, however be cautious of slipping. When you attain the highest of Myburgh Waterfall Ravine, the hike turns into much less strenuous. You may detour to Judas Peak or proceed your hike in direction of Llandudno.

16. Hall Ravine

• Begin: Theresa Avanue/ Kloof Nek Nook
• Period: 3-4 hours
• Size: 7-8 km (out and again)
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: sure
• Have to Know:

The path takes you up the western slopes of Desk Mountain, giving technique to nice views of Camps Bay and Llandudno. A path that begins on the Pipe Monitor, and follows till the tip on the prime. Take into account persevering with onto Tranquility Cracks and coming down Woody Ravine

18. Woody Ravine

The descent down Woody Ravine from the Apostles Backbone. Image: David Henning

• Begin: Theresa Avanue
• Period: 3 hours
• Size: 5.3 km
• Issue: Strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: sure
• Have to Know: A steep ascent, so have to be reasonably match to hike up this route.

Woody Ravine descent. Image: David Henning

One of many better-marked trails on Desk Mountain, the ascent begins from the Pipe Monitor when the path enters a lush forest in a gorge and an indication factors to the path up the mountain which takes you to the Apostles Backbone on the highest.

19. Woody Buttress

• Begin: Theresa Avanue/ Kloof Nek Nook
• Period: 3 hours
• Size: 7-8 km (out and again)
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: sure
• Have to Know: Comply with the gravel street up and round to the appropriate, till you attain a small stone water tank. Simply behind it, flip left onto a steep, slender path. Comply with this as much as the primary band of rock and skirt round it to the left. Begin scrambling up the ridge, taking care to observe the cairns as they lead backwards and forwards throughout the buttress alongside the road of least resistance.

Learn: Hike Woody Buttress, Table Mountain

As a substitute of a plod up the within of a ravine, Woody Buttress is a pleasant hop, skip and bounce up the backbone of one of many Apostles. The views might offer you vertigo, but it surely’s exhausting to beat the pleasure of gripping stable jugs on sandstone monkey stairs as you haul your self increased or bounding over boulders.

20. Constantia Nek to Woodhead Reservoir

Mountaineering Desk Mountain: exploring the desk prime

17. Tranquility Cracks

@getawaymagazineThere are various hidden gems in Desk Mountain. Certainly one of which is a collection of interlinking deep and slender slits and fractures between rocks referred to as the Tranquility Cracks. The Tranquility Cracks are thought-about one in every of Cape City’s best-kept secrets and techniques. This labyrinth of corridors full of indigenous Yellowwood timber isn’t seen from the skin, making it tougher to seek out. However as soon as inside, you may have enjoyable squeezing by way of the slender corridors. There are a number of passages and fascinating viewpoints to seek out. Many individuals attempt to discover the cracks, however few handle to seek out them.♬ original sound – GetawayMagazine

• Begin: Theresa Avanue
• Period: 4-5 hours
• Size: 7-8 km (out and again)
• Issue: Average to strenuous
• Canine Pleasant: sure
• Have to Know: Discovering the entry to Tranquillity Cracks will be extraordinarily difficult, so it’s in all probability greatest to do it with somebody who’s been there earlier than or with a information.

The best technique to discover the entry to the cracks is by way of Hall Ravine. Strolling in direction of the Cable Cart alongside the primary Apostles Path, you’ll discover a discrete path veering to the left no apparent vacation spot. That is the trail to the cracks, however discovering the cracks nonetheless stays difficult from there.

21. 12 Apostles Backbone

• Begin: Theresa Avenue, Cable Cart or Farrier’s Method (Hout Bay)
• Period: 4-7 hours (is determined by route)
• Size: 7 kilometres (is determined by route)
• Issue: Average to strenuous (Is determined by route selection.

The 12 Apostles Backbone path runs atop the buttresses, from Llandudno to the primary plateau. It takes you thru the Valley of the Pink Gods (see beneath) earlier than reaching the Cable Cart. The size of the hike is determined by your ascent on one of many western slopes talked about above. It additionally takes you previous the outdated Cable Cart and diving board, in addition to Tranquility Cracks.

22. Valley of the Pink Gods

Image: David Henning

• Begin: Theresa Avenue (by way of one of many hikes talked about above) or Cable Cart
• Period: 4-5 hours (is determined by route)
• Size: 7 kilometres (is determined by route)
• Issue: Average to strenuous

A fantastic, secluded part of Desk Mountain with Fynbos in full bloom. From the cable cart, head South from the cable cart station in direction of Kasteelpoort and also you’ll end up strolling by way of the valley. From Kasteelpoort or one of many different ascents from the Pipe Monitor, simply head in direction of the cable cart.

Also Read: The Other ‘Die Hel’: Hiking the Groot Winterhoek