Table Mountain Hiking Tour
A visit to Cape Town is incomplete without a hike up Table Mountain. Rising to just over one thousand metres above sea level, Table Mountain ranks in status alongside famous African giants such as Kilimanjaro and the Atlas Mountains.
African storytellers believe that Qamata, the creator of the earth fought a continuous battle against a sea dragon, Nganyamba. Djobela, the one-eyed earth goddess cast a spell to create four giants to guard the north, south, east and west. The watcher of the south, Umlindi Wemingizimu, became Table Mountain. For the more energetic, why not combine this physical challenge with an insight into the secrets of the mountain.
A few of the favourite routes are listed below. An optimum route is chosen from this selection, based on the fitness of the members of the party and according to the Cape’s unpredictable weather at the time.
Western Table to Maclears Beacon return:
2 hour easy to moderate hike on the Table Mountain Plateau. Guests are met at accommodation and then transferred to the Cableway station. The AWOL guide will organise tickets and then proceed with you up Table Mountain in the aerial cableway. This can take up to 60 people at a time and does a full rotation enabling guests to enjoy 360 degree views of Cape Town, Lions Head and the Mountain itself. Once on top we get away from the groups and meander along to Maclears Beacon the highest point on Table Mountain. This pleasant walk across the flat-topped Table plateau overlooking the city passes through some marshy frog breeding areas with interesting vegetation.
Platteklip Gorge:
2-3 hour easy hike up to Table Mountain Plateau. Guests are met at accommodation and then transferred to just past the lower Cableway station for a short and sweet hike. The well-worn switchback of steps to the top makes it one of the most popular hiking options up Table Mountain and it’s easy to do without a guide. No bouldering or scrambling is required. Weather permitting, the AWOL guide will organise tickets and then proceed down Table Mountain in the aerial cableway. This can take up to 60 people at a time and does a full rotation enabling guests to enjoy 360 degree views of Cape Town, Lions Head and the Mountain itself.
India Venster:
2-3 hour challenging hike up to Table Mountain Plateau. Guests are met at accommodation and then transferred to the lower Cableway station for a short and sweet hike. India Venster offers the adventurous hikers an exciting challenge for those fit enough to scramble up a few steep rocky inclines. The hike starts at the Lower Cable Car station and for two thirds of the route the path follows that of the cable car. Then it will turn and offer great views of Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean and Camps Bay below. Weather permitting, the AWOL guide will organise tickets and then proceed down Table Mountain in the aerial cableway. This can take up to 60 people at a time and does a full rotation enabling guests to enjoy 360 degree views of Cape Town. Warning: Not suitable for those with a fear of heights or wearing tight jean pants!
The rates for private guided hikes varies as follows and includes the following: pick up and drop off to and from accommodation, experienced hiking guide, cableway tickets, picnic lunch, snacks and water.
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Rates are on a sliding scale.
- For 1 person - R 2,500
- For up to 2 people - R 1,500 p/p
- For up to 3 people - R 1,250 p/p
- For up to 4 people - R 1,150 p/p
- For 5 or more - R 1,050 p/p
Please bring hat, sun block, warm top, rain/wind proof jacket, small backpack and of course the camera! Be prepared to be out for approx. 4 – 6 hrs.
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