Activities in Table Mountain

India Venster is an exciting route up the face of Table Mountain that is not particularly well known. It is a fun alternative to the more popular Platteklip Gorge because there is some rock scrambling to keep things interesting. But do take heed of the danger sign - this is indeed a dangerous route and several people have been badly injured or killed here. Be very careful and do not attept it unless you are comfortable with exposed rock scrambling.

The Table Mountain Challenge is a 35km trail running race around Table Mountain. It is extremely popular, and because there is a relay option even beginners can take part in the event. The route is really beautiful and for any trail runner this is a wonderful event.

Tafelberg is the road to the Cable Station on Table Moutain but it continues for about 6km along the base of Table Mountain and around the bottom of Devils Peak. At the base of Devils Peak the road is closed to all vehicles so it is popular among walkers, runners and cyclists.

Table Mountain is probably the most well known landmark in Cape Town, and definitely one of the most recognizable mountains in the world. There are several enjoyable hikes up the mountain, but for many the cable car is the perfect way to see Table Mountain. Since 1929 more than 18 million people have visited the top of our mountain in this way!

This is the simplest and most common route for climbing up Table Mountain. You start from Tafelberg Road and proceed up a steep gully to the top of Table Mountain. Once at the top the Cable Station is a short (10 minutes) walk away so you could even take the cable car down. This little add-on is well worth it just for the views over the city, Atlantic ocean and Robben Island.

The Bat Run is an annual race held on a February night around full moon. The event involves a night run/walk up 3 of Cape Town's most famous mountains - Devils Peak, Table Mountain and Lions Head!

The Pipe Track is one of the easiest walks on Table Mountain because it does hardly any climbing. Basically the path follows an old water pipe along a contour from the Kloofnek parking area along the side of table mountain above Camps Bay.  The views of Table Mountain, Lions Head, Twelve Apostles and Camps Bay are wonderful for such an easy hike.

The Tranquility Cracks are deep fissures in the rocks on top of the Twelve Apostles mountains near the top of Slangolie Buttress (half way along the Twelve Apostles). The cracks are a labyrinth of natural rock corridors often about 5m deep and sometimes completely enclosed. The Tranquility Cracks make an excellent destination for a hike as they are interesting to explore, in a relatively quiet area and offer stunning views.

Nursery Ravine is one of the paths heading up the mountain from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. From the top corner of the gardens this route rises up the mountain over hundreds and hundreds of stairs. The path is very well maintained and these stairs are a real help when the path is wet and when coming down.

There are many routes up Table Mountain, and the Diagonal Path is not a very well known one. Starting at the Pipe Track (parking at the top of Kloofnek) you head out above Camps Bay along the Pipe Track. After about 30 minutes of hiking you will come across a sign for the Diagonal Path and there is a steep path to heading up the mountain to the left.

Skeleton Gorge is a steep ravine which can be used to climb the back of Table Mountain from the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. The route is steep but in the forest almost the whole way which is beautiful and helps to keep things cool.

A strenuous but rewarding hike is on offer in the heart of Cape Town – hike the three famous peaks in one go: Devils Peak, Table Mountain, Lions Head.

Kasteelpoort is a fairly well-known route up Table Mountain. Starting from the Pipe Track above Camps Bay this path climbs a fairly steep ravine and pops out on the 'back' of Table Mountain at the site of the original cable car.

Maclear's Beacon is the highest point (1,085m) on Table Mountain - if you haven't been there then you haven't really climbed Table Mountain. The beacon is a large stone cairn placed to mark the highest point on the mountain by Sir Thomas Maclear in 1844. Maclear's Beacon is on the opposite end of the 'table top' from the cable station and is a popular destination for hikers and visitors.

Smuts Track is a path connecting Skeleton Gorge (a route up Table Mountain from Kirstenbosch) with Maclears Beacon which is the highest point on the mountain. Maclears Beacon is on the opposite side of the 'table top' to the cable station and is a spectacular point to visit.