Cape City is a superb metropolis for climbing lovers. There are lots of unimaginable trails of various lengths and problem ranges. From simple routes appropriate for youngsters to difficult hikes that require some mountain climbing expertise. After we’re not busy with long-distance treks and walks we love exploring new climbing trails round Cape City.
Straightforward hikes in Cape City
Lion’s Head hike
- Distance – 5,5 km return
- Time – 1h30min. – 2 hours return
- Elevation achieve/loss – 387 m
- Terrain – gravel path, rocks and boulders, ladders, and chains (non-obligatory route).
- Price – free
- Finest time – sundown is essentially the most spectacular time for the hike. Dawn is a wonderful time as nicely although in summer time you’ll need to stand up very early to make it to the highest in time. You may be part of a guided Lion’s Head sundown or dawn hike if you happen to don’t wish to stroll alone.
- Beginning/ending level – the car parking zone on Sign Hill Highway subsequent to the Vida espresso truck.
- Parking – free at Lion’s Head parking or alongside Sign Hill Highway.
- Canine-friendly – sure, the final a part of the hike entails some climbing and scrambling not the very best for canine.
Highlights
- Gorgeous views of Cape City, Desk Mountain, Clifton Seashores, Camps Bay, Cape Peninsula, Robben Island, and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Sundown/dawn from the highest.
Challenges
- Lengthy and fairly steep ascent from the beginning of the path.
- The final half is tougher particularly if you happen to select the ladders and chains route.
If it’s a must to select one path to do in Cape City I’d say Lion’s Head hike is the one! It’s undoubtedly one of many primary issues to do in Cape City. The hike just isn’t as lengthy and tiring as climbing trails up Desk Mountain and just about appropriate for anyone. For some folks, it’ll be an easy stroll for some more difficult, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly doable. The final a part of the path is a little more difficult, however if you happen to select the really useful route (not the ladders and chains one), you’ll be wonderful. For those who don’t really feel like climbing all the way in which to the highest you are able to do a round route round Lion’s Head with out going to the very high and nonetheless get gorgeous views of Cape City and the coast.
For those who’re adventurous sufficient you’ll be able to mix climbing with paragliding from Lion’s Head or Sign Hill with touchdown on the seaside.
There are lots of nice espresso outlets in Cape City to cease for breakfast or lunch on the way in which to or from Lion’s Head.
Maclear’s Beacon path
- Distance – 5,5 km return
- Time – 1h30min. – 2 hours return
- Elevation achieve/loss – 150 m
- Terrain – footpath, boardwalk, occasional rocks, and boulders.
- Price – free. For those who take the cable automotive up and/or down you’ll need to pay to your ticket.
- Finest time for climbing – in summer time morning or night, it will get very popular within the afternoon there is no such thing as a shade to cover.
- Beginning/ending level – on the highest of Desk Mountain at Platteklip Gorge, 700 m from the higher cable automotive station. Maclear’s Beacon is the turnaround level.
- Parking – free alongside Tafelberg Highway earlier than or after the decrease cable automotive station.
- Canine-friendly – sure, it’s a really lengthy stroll with no shade to stroll to the highest, to the beacon, and again down. With a canine, you received’t be allowed to make use of the cable automotive. Learn extra on strolling with canine on Desk Mountain.
Highlights
- Nice views of Hout Bay, Cape Peninsula, Strand, Gordon’s Bay.
- Good panorama, weird rock formations, views of the dams on the highest of Desk Mountain.
- The monument at Maclear’s Beacon.
Challenges
- The warmth and lack of water is the one problem. Make sure that to carry sufficient water or to fill your bottle from the ingesting fountain on the exit from the cable automotive station.
Desk Mountain is without doubt one of the must-visit locations in Cape City. The views from the highest are really spectacular. The best and quickest choice of attending to the highest is to take the cable automotive. For those who’re planning to make use of the hop-on-hop-off bus in Cape City you should buy a mixed bus and cable automotive ticket.
The Maclear’s Beacon hike is without doubt one of the best hikes on Desk Mountain with out strenuous ascents or descents. Appropriate for vacationers with youngsters and aged folks. It’s a return route. The path begins at Platteklip Gorge and finishes at Maclear’s Beacon. A pleasant well-marked route with nice views of and of the coast. together with Hout Bay, Cape Peninsula, Cape Flats, Strand, Gordons Bay, and many others. The hike ends at Maclear’s Beacon, a man-made triangle rock memorial 5 meters excessive.
Pipe Monitor, Desk Mountain
- Distance – 8 km return, you’ll be able to stroll so far as you need no must go all the way in which.
- Time – 2 hours return
- Elevation achieve/loss – 171 m
- Terrain – rocky footpath
- Price – free
- Finest time for climbing – sundown is essentially the most lovely time for climbing although I’d suggest not going alone and returning again to your automotive earlier than it will get darkish. Weekend morning is the busiest time for climbing the Pipe monitor which makes it the most secure time as nicely.
- Beginning/ending level – throughout the street from Kloof Nek car parking zone. After 4 km the path merges with the jeep monitor you’ll be able to flip round at that time or proceed on the jeep monitor.
- Parking – free at Kloof Nek car parking zone.
- Canine-friendly – sure, it’s one in all our favourite trails to stroll with our canine.
Highlights
- Lovely views of Lion’s Head, Camps Bay, Chapman’s Peak.
- Gorgeous views of the coast and the mountain vary.
Challenges
- Nothing particularly although climbing or operating this path off-peak hours isn’t really useful for security causes.
One other simple hike on Desk Mountain with only a few ups and downs at first. It’s appropriate for folks with youngsters and canine. The identify comes from a large pipeline alongside the route, initially it was constructed to put water pipes to hold water from Desk Mountain all the way down to Cape City. The Pipe Monitor is without doubt one of the oldest climbing trails, it dates again to 1887.
The Pipe Monitor will be walked as part of the Diagonal Path or Kasteelspoort Path up Desk Mountain if you happen to begin/end on the Kloof Neck car parking zone.
The path goes round Desk Mountain on the Camps Bay aspect you get very nice views of the coast. You don’t get to the highest of Desk Mountain on this route however the views are nonetheless very good. It’s an amazing route for operating or strolling with a canine, it’s our favourite dog-friendly hike in Cape City. Simply make sure that to carry sufficient water to your pet. There aren’t any water sources alongside the route.
Waterfall hike, Cecilia Forest
- Distance – 5 km loop
- Time – 2 hours
- Elevation achieve – 324 m
- Elevation loss – 316 m
- Terrain – footpath, gravel street, jeep monitor
- Price – free
- Finest time for climbing – weekends morning when it’s not too sizzling and there are different hikers on the route.
- Beginning/ending level – Cecilia Forest car parking zone
- Parking – free at Cecilia Forest automotive park. If there is no such thing as a house alongside Rhodes Drive.
- Canine-friendly – sure, one other nice hike to stroll with canine.
Highlights
- Lovely forest
- A picturesque waterfall
- Good views of the environment
Challenges
- The ascent to the waterfall, it’s not very steep however fairly lengthy.
- It’d get fairly sizzling in summer time, make sure that to hold sufficient water.
A pleasant and simple hike in Cecilia Forest appropriate for youngsters, canine are allowed on the path. It’s a loop route that begins on the entrance. The primary half will be accomplished on a jeep monitor or on a footpath. The footpath is sort of good, it begins on the correct (signal Cecilia Ravine) and goes up just about all the way in which until you attain the waterfall. It crosses the jeep monitor a few instances. The footpath is steeper however a bit shorter than the jeep monitor.
The primary half of the route is thru the forest, the second half is on the slopes of the mountains fairly uncovered to the solar. For those who stroll in summer time make sure that to make use of sunscreen and a cap. Deliver water with you. You may refill it on the waterfall. The waterfall just isn’t very huge however lovely. It’s a pleasant picnic or a relaxation cease. After the waterfall, you proceed on the identical path till it joins the Counterpath path the place you flip proper and stroll again in the direction of the doorway gate. You may mix climbing in Cecilia Forest with visiting wine farms in Constantia Valley, located simply 5 km away.
For those who get pleasure from climbing I’d recommend together with the Otter Path and the Amatola Path in your South Africa climbing bucket checklist. Each routes are completely spectacular.
Average/tough climbing trails in Cape City
Skeleton Gorge, Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard
- Distance – 6 km return
- Time – 2h30min. – 3 hours return
- Elevation achieve/loss – 600 m
- Terrain – footpath, boardwalks, picket ladders, rocks and boulders
- Price – Kirstenbosch Backyard entrance price ZAR 75/US$5 adults, ZAR 40/US$2,5 youngsters
- Finest time for climbing – any time a lot of the path is thru the forest you get good shade on the way in which up and down.
- Open – every day from 8am to 6pm
- Beginning/ending level – Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard. The turnaround level on the highest of Desk Mountain is 100 m away from Hely Hutchinson Reservoir.
- Parking – there are two free parking heaps on the entrance to Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard.
- Canine-friendly – no, canine usually are not allowed inside Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard.
Highlights
- Gorgeous lush inexperienced forest.
- Small waterfalls and creeks, picturesque gorge, many birds.
- Nice views of Cape Flats and False Bay from the highest.
- A gorgeous dam with a sandy seaside on the finish of the route.
Challenges
- Steep ascent from the beginning.
- Moist rocks are a bit slippery, not an issue on the way in which up however need to stroll cautious when happening.
That is one in all our favourite climbing trails up Desk Mountain not for the views however for the surroundings alongside the route. Skeleton Gorge is certainly the greenest hike in Cape City. Even if you happen to’re not planning to stroll up Skeleton Gorge Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard is value together with in your Cape City itinerary.
The realm is completely lovely; lush inexperienced forest, small creeks, and waterfalls, huge boulders, occasional flowers, and many others. It’s the one route up Desk Mountain that’s well-protected from the direct solar. It’s the very best path to tackle a sizzling summer time day. The route follows the gorge over rocks and boulders just about all the way in which to the highest. On the high, you end on the other aspect of the cable automotive, subsequent to an enormous dam with a pleasant sandy seaside. It’s an amazing spot for a picnic.
It’s potential to hitch a guided Skeleton Gorge hike that begins at Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard and finishes on the higher cable automotive station.
For those who like climbing by way of a lush inexperienced forest with many waterfalls, rivers, and creeks you would possibly benefit from the Outeniqua Path, a 1-week hike within the Outeniqua forest close to Knysna.
Platteklip Gorge, Desk Mountain
- Distance – 5,5 km return
- Time – 2 hours return
- Elevation achieve/loss – 650 m
- Terrain – rocks and boulders
- Price – free
- Finest time for climbing – morning or night, it will get very popular in the course of the day there’s barely any shadow right here.
- Beginning/ending level – Tafelberg Highway, 700 m previous the Decrease Cable Automotive station. The turnaround level on the highest of Desk Mountain is 700 m away from the higher cable automotive station.
- Parking – alongside Tafelberg Highway previous the Decrease Cable Automotive station without spending a dime.
- Canine-friendly – sure, although it’s fairly a steep up and down, the path could be very uncovered to the solar.
Highlights
- Good views of Metropolis Bowl and the coast on the way in which up.
- A gorgeous gorge with huge boulders on the finish of the path.
Challenges
- A steep climb from the begin to the tip.
- The rocky stairs are fairly excessive; it actually works your legs.
The preferred route up Desk Mountain and one of the standard hikes in Cape City. The Platteklip Gorge and the India Venster trails are the very best to take if you wish to find yourself close to the cable automotive station on the highest. This route could be very simple with out winding across the mountain from the very begin it simply goes on to the highest. Subsequently it’s the shortest route as nicely. We used to “run” this route up and down a few instances as soon as every week after we have been getting ready for the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal.
The route is simple to observe it mainly goes straight up from the beginning until it reaches the highest. You don’t need to be an skilled hiker for strolling it simply ensure you have sufficient water with you. It’s potential to hitch a guided hike up Platteklip Gorge.
India Venster, Desk Mountain
- Distance – 8,5 km return
- Time – 4 hours return
- Elevation achieve/loss – 722 m
- Terrain – footpath, rocks, boulders, ladders.
- Price – free
- Finest time for climbing – in summer time early morning earlier than it will get too sizzling. Not the very best path to stroll if it’s very windy.
- Beginning/ending level – on the correct of the Decrease Cable Automotive station. The path finishes on the highest of Desk Mountain, 700 m away from the Higher Cable Automotive station.
- Parking – alongside Tafelberg Highway earlier than or after the Decrease Cable Automotive station freed from cost.
- Canine-friendly – technically sure, canine are allowed however the path entails quite a lot of climbing and scrambling on the sting of the cliffs, not the perfect for strolling with a canine.
Highlights
- Gorgeous views of Desk Mountain, Metropolis Bowl, Camps Bay, Chapman’s Peak, and many others.
- Nice views of the Aerial cable automotive.
Challenges
- A steep ascent from the begin to the tip.
- Troublesome climbs over rocks and ladders within the center a part of the route.
- The path is uncovered to the solar with no shadow.
This route is the final word journey path with some steep climbs over rocks and ladders and entails some scrambling, not for the faint-hearted. It’s not a youngsters pleasant hike. Not appropriate for individuals who are afraid of heights. I don’t wish to put you off. It’s not a technical climb, it’s much like the ladders and chains a part of Lion’s Head hike besides it’s for much longer and better.
The path is beautiful with a few of the greatest views of Cape City and the coast. I’d say that is our most favourite route up Desk Mountain for the views and general expertise. You may stroll this path each methods up and down however we want utilizing a special route or taking the cable automotive for happening.
For those who don’t really feel assured sufficient to do that path by yourself you’ll be able to at all times be part of a guided India Venster hike with specialists who’ve accomplished this route many instances.
Diagonal/Kasteelspoort Path, Desk Mountain
- Distance – 11 km loop if you happen to begin on the Pipe Monitor at Tafelberg Highway; about 6 km loop if you happen to begin at Theresa Avenue Jeep Path (Camps Bay).
- Time – 3h30min. – 4 hours, 2h30min.-3 hours the Camps Bay route.
- Elevation achieve/loss – 680 m
- Terrain – footpath the primary half and rocks and stairs the second half
- Price – free
- Finest time for climbing – morning when there are extra folks.
- Beginning/ending level – Kloof Nook parking space if you happen to begin at Tavelberg Highway;
- Parking – if you happen to begin at Tafelberg Highway – Kloof Nek car parking zone without spending a dime; if you happen to begin at Camps Bay – at one of many close by streets (Theresa Avenue, Barbara Highway) without spending a dime.
- Canine-friendly – sure, I’d recommend going up and down the Kasteelspoort path reasonably than the Diagonal.
Highlights
- Implausible views of Camps Bay, Lion’s Head, Cape Peninsula, and many others.
- The Diving board, a rock formation that reminds a diving board an exhilarating place not for faint-hearted, an amazing spot for superb photographs.
Challenges
- The climb up on the Diagonal path is sort of steep.
- There may be nowhere to refill water – make sure that to carry sufficient.
This route is one in all our favorites for the views of Camps Bay and Cape Peninsula. The path itself could be very numerous and combines 3 completely different trails; the Pipe Monitor (the flat and simple half), the Diagonal path (up), and the Kasteelspoort path (down). It’s potential to stroll up and down following the identical path e.g. each methods on the Diagonal or on the Kasteelspoort path. The Kasteelspoort route is simpler particularly for happening. The Diagonal is more difficult and entails some climbing over huge rocks.
This hike is a superb choice for individuals who’ve been up Desk Mountain on the cable automotive aspect and wish to see a special a part of the mountain. The Diagonal path is considerably much less busy in comparison with the Kasteelspoort. There are higher look-out factors with views of Camps Bay and Lion’s Head on the Diagonal Path although.
You may be part of a guided Kasteelspoort hike from Camps Bay to the higher cable automotive station.
Satan’s Peak hike, Desk Mountain
- Distance – 6 km return
- Time – 2h30min. – 3 hours return
- Elevation achieve/loss – 585 m
- Terrain – footpath, rocks
- Price – free
- Finest time for climbing – early mornings in summer time earlier than it will get too sizzling. For security causes, it’s higher to stroll in on weekends or throughout public holidays when there are fairly a couple of hikers on the mountain.
- Beginning/ending level – Tafelberg Highway, about 2,5 km previous the decrease cable automotive station.
- Parking – alongside Tafelberg Highway, freed from cost.
- Canine-friendly – sure, the path is steep uncovered to the solar and wind.
Highlights
- Nice views of the Metropolis Bowl and the Atlantic Ocean all the way in which to the highest, simply look again.
- From the highest, you get spectacular panoramic views of Desk Mountain, Lions Head, the Metropolis Bowl, Desk Bay, Robben Island, all the way in which to the Northern Suburbs.
- Satan’s Peak is the second-highest peak in Desk Mountain Nationwide Park following Maclear’s Beacon.
Challenges
- The path to Satan’s Peak has some steep sections at first and on the high.
- The route could be very uncovered, take correct solar safety and water.
- Climbing up Devils Peak the wind will be robust on the path, watch out and take acceptable clothes.
- Hike of average problem taking 1.5 to 2 hours to climb the 585m to the highest (3km).
- Some mild scrambling on the finish to get to the highest.
- Some unfastened rocks on the footpath.
To ascend Devils Peak it’s a must to undergo the saddle between Devils Peak and Desk Mountain. There are three completely different routes to achieve the saddle; from Tafelberg Highway on the town aspect; from Newlands Forest (beginning at Rhodes memorial), or the higher contour path from Mowbray Ridge.
To get to the beginning of the Tafelberg Highway path drive previous the cable automotive station and Platteklip Gorge, proceed on Tafelberg street till you attain a Devils Peak signal, there might be some vehicles parked. From Tafelberg Highway is the most well-liked and possibly the most secure and best path to take. The trail is obvious and well-marked, you flip round and observe the identical path again from the highest. The hike is of average problem. The path begins with some steep switchbacks for the primary 1.5km (30 min). The views of the Atlantic Ocean and the CBD is improbable all the way in which, simply go searching. There’s a marker on the finish of the path on high of the cairn that marks the summit. On the high, you can be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the encompassing mountains, metropolis, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Cape of Good Hope hike, Cape Level Nationwide Park
- Distance – 36 km loop
- Time – 2 days
- Elevation achieve – 1460 m over 2 days
- Elevation loss – 1500 m over 2 days
- Terrain – footpath, sand, rocks, and boulders
- Price – ZAR 355/US$24 per particular person for the hike + Cape Level conservation price ZAR 85/US$5 for South Africans (adults), ZAR 340/US$23 for foreigners (adults).
- Open – the gate opens at 8am, on the primary day of the path hikers need to register on the entrance earlier than 9am.
- Finest time for climbing – October – April, it will get fairly windy and sizzling between December and February.
- Beginning/ending level – Cape Level Nationwide Park entrance gate.
- Parking – free at secure car parking zone contained in the park, on the entrance gate.
- Canine-friendly – no, canine usually are not allowed contained in the Nationwide Park.
Highlights
- Gorgeous coastal surroundings of the Cape Level Nationwide Park; sandy seashores, cliffs, look-out factors, rocky swimming pools, fynbos, and many others.
- Numerous wildlife;
- Superbly positioned huts with superb views of Cape Peninsula
- Sundown and dawn on the park
Challenges
- It will get very windy and sizzling in summer time, ensure you’re protected against the solar. It’s very simple to get sunburned with out even realizing it.
- There aren’t any water sources alongside the path solely at huts, carrying 2l of water per particular person is really useful.
- The second day is a bit lengthy, over 20 km
Cape of Good Hope is the one multi-day hike on our checklist. The path is the final word journey for climbing lovers, it’s among the finest hikes at Cape Level Nationwide Park. It offers you an opportunity to discover either side of Cape Level; the Atlantic aspect and the False Bay aspect. More often than not the path goes alongside the coast providing spectacular surroundings; dramatic drops, rugged cliffs, white-sand seashores, weird rock formations. In the course of the hike, you’ll be able to spot zebras, ostriches, elands, mongooses, tortoises, chameleons, completely different seabirds, and many others. Hikers keep at in a single day huts with good services contained in the park. The path is marked with yellow poles, it’s fairly simple to observe. For those who’re not planning on doing a 2-day hike Cape Level is a superb place for a day journey from Cape City.
Security suggestions for climbing in Cape City
- Don’t hike alone, at all times go in a gaggle of 2-3 folks not less than.
- Don’t go climbing at evening time.
- If you wish to hike one of many much less standard trails do it throughout holidays or over weekends when there are extra folks.
- All the time take sufficient ingesting water with you particularly in summer time (1-2l per particular person relying on the size of the hike). Most trails don’t have water sources alongside the way in which.
- Make sure that to make use of solar safety and put on a cap many trails are uncovered to the solar with no shade to cover.
- Take photographs of rangers’ numbers (normally there’s a signal at trailheads) to contact them in case of emergency.
- If we hike on weekdays we normally take our canine (the place canine are allowed) for further safety.