The Skeleton Gorge hike might be essentially the most lovely and the greenest path to the highest of Desk Mountain. Not like different trails, it begins on the “inexperienced facet” of the mountain within the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard. It’s the most effective path to stroll on a sizzling summer time day.
From the begin to the tip the path goes by a lush evergreen forest with many small creeks and streams, huge boulders, and thick tree trunks lined in moss. As soon as out of the forest you get wonderful views of Cape City and its environment. On a pleasant day, you possibly can see False Bay and the mountain vary alongside the coast.
After mountaineering Skeleton Gorge you possibly can chill out with a glass of wine or get pleasure from lunch with a surprising view at one of many Constantia wine farms, The realm is only a quick 15-minute drive from Kirstenbosch.
Skeleton Gorge route overview
- Distance – 3,5 km a method, 7 km return
- Required time – 3-4 hours on common return
- Complete ascent – 600 m
- Complete descent – 600 m
- Place to begin – Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard
- Ending level – Hely Hutchinson Reservoir on the highest of Desk Mountain
- Issue – 4 out of 5
- Terrain – rocky footpath, boulders, wood ladders
- Min elevation – 103 m
- Max elevation – 712 m
Urged excursions and actions
How lengthy is the Skeleton Gorge hike?
Skeleton Gorge is a linear hike to the highest of Desk Mountain. The entire size of the route is 3,5 km from the place to begin within the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard to the Hely Hutchinson Reservoir on the highest or 7 km return.
If you happen to don’t need to descend the identical manner you possibly can proceed the hike on the highest of Desk Mountain heading in direction of the Higher Cable Automotive station. From there you possibly can go down with the cable automobile or climb down following a distinct route.
The place does Skeleton Gorge begin?
The path begins contained in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard on the foot of the mountain vary. From the doorway head proper you’ll see a signpost indicating the path to Skeleton Gorge.
The place does the hike finish?
The Skeleton Gorge hike ends at Hely Hutchinson Reservoir on the highest of Desk Mountain. To get down you possibly can stroll the identical route or stroll to the opposite facet of the mountain and take the cable automobile down.
To get to the Higher Cable Automotive station you’ll must stroll one other 5 km on the highest of Desk Mountain. The entire distance of the hike is 8,5 km: 3,5 km from Kirstenbosch to the highest and 5 km from Hely Hutchinson Reservoir to the Higher Cable Automotive station. The entire elevation achieve of this route is 1000 m. The stroll on the highest isn’t flat and straightforward you go up and down lots. It takes round 4 hours to stroll from Kirstenbosch to the Higher Cable Automotive station.
Tips on how to get to the trailhead?
Driving is the best manner of getting from Cape City to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard the place the Skeleton Gorge hike begins. There’s a massive free car parking zone on the entrance to the backyard the place you possibly can safely park your automobile. You may hire a automobile on the airport on arrival and drop it off while you fly out.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus stops on the entrance to the backyard. It’s one of the simplest ways to discover town and go to Cape City’s high points of interest when you don’t need to hire a automobile.
Skeleton Gorge hike issue
All routes to the highest of Desk Mountain are fairly difficult as a result of steep and lengthy ascent. The Skeleton Gorge is a reasonable hike with a steep ascent from the begin to the tip and a few difficult climbs (on the way in which down) over rocks and boulders. It’s appropriate for folks with older youngsters. Total hikes on Desk Mountain are harder than the Lion’s Head hike. If you happen to’re an inexperienced hiker it could be higher to stroll the Skeleton Gorge with a information or in a bunch.
Skeleton Gorge mountaineering path map
What’s the price of the hike?
If you happen to hike independently then the doorway payment to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard is the one value concerned. The payment is ZAR210/US$11 for adults and ZAR30/US$1,5 for kids between 6-18 yo. Costs of a guided Skeleton Gorge hike begin from US$60 per particular person.
Is the route marked?
Sure. The Skeleton Gorge path is marked with inexperienced signposts indicating the path of the path. It’s a single path that’s fairly self-explanatory you go regularly up on a footpath, wood stairs, ladders, and over boulders.
Do I would like a information for mountaineering?
No. Skeleton Gorge might be walked independently. No guides or particular permits are required. For security causes, I’d advocate doing a guided Skeleton Gorge hike when you’re a solo traveler and/or not an skilled hiker.
Are you able to go down Desk Mountain by Skeleton Gorge?
Sure. You may climb up and down Desk Mountain following the Skeleton Gorge. In actual fact, when you drive you’ll must go down the identical strategy to get again to your automobile. If you happen to descend the mountain following a distinct path e.g. Platteklip Gorge or take the cable automobile you’ll must get a taxi or an Uber to get again to your automobile. The Skeleton Gorge is the one route on the Kirstenbosch facet of Desk Mountain.
When is the path open?
Not like different Desk Mountain mountaineering trails (you can stroll at any time) the Skeleton Gorge route might be accessed solely in the course of the working hours of the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard. The backyard is open every day; from September to March from 8am to 7pm and from April to August from 8am to 6pm.
When is the most effective time for mountaineering?
Spring-summer months from October to April are the most effective time for mountaineering the Skeleton Gorge. When there may be not a lot rain, days are longer, and there are extra folks on the path. Beginning within the morning is very beneficial to have sufficient time to finish the hike and descend earlier than it will get darkish. It’s particularly essential when you’re planning to spend a while mountaineering on the highest of Desk Mountain.
Warmth isn’t a giant drawback right here like on the opposite trails. The numerous a part of the hike is thru the luxurious forest which suggests you get loads of shade. On the highest, it’ll be sizzling within the afternoon however on the way in which up and down you’re protected against the direct solar.
Mountaineering the Skeleton Gorge throughout winter months all the time be sure you received’t get rain. The path will get slippery when moist. Total it’s disagreeable to hike within the pouring rain. Apart from, you’ll possible get no views as the highest of Desk Mountain will probably be lined in mist.
What’s the surroundings like?
Surroundings clever the Skeleton Gorge is our favourite path to the highest of Desk Mountain and one of many favourite mountaineering trails in Cape City. The hike begins within the spectacular lush inexperienced forest, a ravine with boulders, small creeks, and falls. The path finally ends up about 5 km at Hely Hutchinson Reservoir, a water physique with a pleasant white-sand seaside. You may go for a refreshing swim or have a picnic on the seaside earlier than beginning the descent.
The town views from the path will not be as spectacular as on the India Venster hike however are nonetheless fairly spectacular. From the highest, you possibly can see Cape Flats, False Bay, Muizenberg, Strand, Gordons Bay, Rooi Els, Hout Bay (when you stroll in direction of Maclear’s Beacon), and so on. Many of those locations you possibly can go to as a day journey from Cape City.
Skeleton Gorge route description
The primary 700 m by the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard are fairly flat and straightforward. When you get to the forest you begin the ascent. First, you go up following many wood stairs for about 1 km. Then you definately begin climbing the gorge over rocks and boulders. The final 900 m are on a slope of the mountain out of the forest on a footpath with a gentle ascent.
For strolling down you possibly can comply with precisely the identical route or take an alternate route across the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard. At about 5,5 km on the cut up, you possibly can comply with the Contour Path that can lead you to the Irrigation Dam. From there you possibly can stroll by the backyard to the exit.
What to pack for the hike?
- Carrying sufficient water is crucial. I’d advocate 2l of water per particular person.
- Comfy footwear.
- Small day pack.
- A cap.
- Comfy sports activities garments.
- Make sure that your cellphone works and it is possible for you to to make a name in an emergency case. Shopping for an eSIM card for South Africa could be a good suggestion when you’re planning to spend a while within the nation.
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack slightly than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.