5 Top Hikes at Table Mountain in Cape Town

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Table Mountain is truly magnificent, and it’s a must to get to the top when in Cape Town, South Africa. The iconic landmark offers stunning views of Cape Town and its surroundings. For a spectacular view of Table Mountain, hike to the top of Lion’s Head. Table Mountain can be visited year-round. However, I am happy to provide you with the best daytime, tips, and details about the best months. 

The best time to visit Table Mountain is from October to March, the dry summer. The perfect daytime is in the morning before it gets busy and too hot. 

Either take the first cable car (8:00 a.m. / 8:30) or start hiking early. I also love the evening for a stunning sunset from the top. Unfortunately, the cable doesn't operate long just from December 16 until January 15 until 9.30 pm. Read more details below about the cable car operating times, time of day tips, getting to the top, weather, and why the winter in the southern hemisphere is a great time, too.

 5 Top Hikes at Table Mountain

There are plenty of hiking trails to the plateau of Table Mountain, at least eleven. I would like to describe our five favourite hikes around Table Mountain. These hikes are more trafficked, which makes hiking safer here.

Nevertheless, never hike alone and not in darkness. Robberies occur around the Table hiking trails. Next to the cable car are two spectacular routes to the top of Table Mountain and one short hike for great views if you can’t make it to the top or for a brilliant sunset.

When climbing to the top of the Table, always remember that you may end up in the tablecloth - a mist of clouds. Also, don’t count on the cable car; always expect to hike back. The indicated hiking time is always the way up, not down. Don't miss out on my personal packing list.

1 Kloof Nek

The Kloof Nek Trail is one of the best short hikes in Cape Town. It takes max half an hour one way for spectacular views to the cliffs of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the beautiful city. Trailhead and Parking before the cable car but fill up early in the morning. It’s also famous for its incredible sunset.

2 India Venster

This incredible hike starts next to the cable car and takes roughly 2 – 2.5 hours. It is steep but manageable and has a bit of everything: smooth walking, climbing, staples, and chains. However, you shouldn’t have any fear of heights.

3 Platteklip Gorge

It is one of the most popular routes, therefore well-maintained. The track starts 1.5 km after the cable car. Go early to avoid the midday heat. The trail begins roughly at 390 m elevation with steep steps on rocks, then leads zigzagging to an altitude of 1050 m. The gorge path narrows the higher you get. You may need 2 – 3 hours to get up, depending on your fitness level. It took us less than 2 hours, but we live in a mountainous area with steep and exposed trails.

4 Skeleton Gorge

This hiking trail starts in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden on the Eastern Slopes of TM. We did this route to the top of TM twice. The advantage of this route to the summit it leads through shaded, native forest, which is well needed during the hot summer, so you can also start a little later. First, you hike through the beautiful Botanical Garden in the direction of Fragrance Garden until you find the first sign, “Smuts Track”. This track leads to the challenging gorge up to the top of the plateau. In the beginning, it was an easy walk winding up through the forest. Then, we had to climb several wooden ladders to overcome some very steep, giant boulders.



Afterwards, it’s a tricky climb and scrambles up on huge rocks. This part is not marked; and we must find our own way out. After heavy rain and the winter season, the trail might be inaccessible or slippery and slightly flooded. After this strenuous part of climbing, the trail winds up on a small path for roughly half an hour before reaching the dams on the Table Mountain plateau. This route is quite strenuous and took us 2 hours.

Essential to know is the opening hours of Kirstenbosch if you plan to hike down from the summit.
Opening Hours Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

• 8 am - 7 pm from September to March    
• 8 am - 6 pm from April to August

5 Constantia Nek

This path starts in the south on 200 m elevations, the longest track of all, roughly 9 km, which takes 5 h to get to Table Mountain Cable Car. It took us approximately 2 hours from Constantia Nek to the dams. This trail is also pretty popular; some hike to the top while others walk from here to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Usually, we avoid crowds but in the Cape Town area, it makes the path much safer, however, there is never a guarantee. There is plenty of space to park your car but choose the correct trailhead. There are two different ones at Constantia Nek: one to the right, which is the hike to the top, and one to the left. A sign indicates a “restricted access area” where a permit is needed at the trail to the left.

When you start hiking, you can either walk the Jeep Track the entire time or take a left shortly after the beginning direction of Eagle’s Nest. This trail makes it more fun and passes by the Camel Rock, which is worth a photo stop. The Constantia Nek Track is rich in variety, offering spectacular views. During spring, many fynbos and proteas are in bloom. The track is pretty long but less challenging. You only have to cope with the heat during the day; therefore, start early. Usually, people start the hike already shortly before sunrise.

Tip Additional Hike

I would like to mention one more trail, but we haven't done it yet. Kasteelspoort is the easiest route to get up. Parking on Theresa Road or start at Pipe Track. Hike this track in the morning and enjoy the shade. It gets hot from midday onwards on this trail. Social media's most picturesque and known is the "Diving Board" close to the old cableway.

7 Essentials to Know and Pack

1. Windproof jacket – Usually, it’s windy up on the top, and you may end up in the famous tablecloth with misty clouds. So if your jacket also protects you from the drizzle, and the cold wind on top.
2. If you plan a circular hiking trail without the cable car I highly recommend a headlamp. We always carry our Petzl headlamp in our backpacks in case we need more time than expected and especially for the winter time with shorter daylight hours.
3. Sunscreen and hat – Most of the hikes are exposed except Skeleton Gorge, but at the latest on the plateau, you need sunscreen for the intense sun. I use my special SPF 50+ sunscreen for exposed areas like my arms and face. I never got sunburnt since I used this cream.
4. Hiking shoes – Comfortable shoes with good traction are essential. It depends on what you are used to wearing. I only hike with my flexible Inov trail shoes.
5. Plenty of water, electrolytes, and energy food – It doesn’t matter which hike you plan to do, except the short one, you will break a sweat and electrolytes are great for more energy. The food on top in the restaurant is a little pricey. Depending on where you start, it’s a long walk getting to the top.
6. Don’t carry your valuables with you – We always leave our passports, credit cards, and valuables in our accommodation. We always have pocket money and our debit card (transfer-wise) with a small amount on it. You need money for the cable car, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, and additional beverages.
7. Hiking App on your mobile – We constantly check our route with Locus Map App and never get lost. Just a map is insufficient, and the trails are poorly marked.

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Opening Times - Cable Car Operating Hours

Table Mountain is 'open' and accessible 24 hours daily throughout the year. However, don't hike in darkness - safety first! But you can spend a night on top of the plateau of Table Mountain—more about that in the description below. The aerial cableway starts to operate after sunrise and currently only one month until sunset - sunset time. Either take the cable car up and down or, what we prefer, hike up, watch the sunset date mentioned above and take the last ride down at 9.30 pm. Below are the operating hours, but remember that the cable car won't operate during poor weather and extreme wind. If you aren't sure about the weather conditions on a specific day and if the cableway is running, call the hotline: +27 21 424 8181

Cable Car Operating Hours

The operating hours are weather permitting, closure during heavy wind and severe weather. In general, the last cable car down is one hour after the mentioned closure time:

• 16.12.-15.01. from 8 am to 8.00 pm
• 16.01.-31.01. from 8 am to 7.30 pm 
• 01.02.-30.04. from 8 am to 6.30 pm
• 01.05.-31.08. from 8.30 am to 4.00 
• 01.09.-15.12. from 8.30 am to 6 pm 

Cable Car Tips

• Start early in the morning if you plan to hike to the summit via Platteklip Gorge. That way, you'll avoid busy areas and dodge the heat as well in the summer months.
• If you use the cable car to get to the top, be there early and arrive as soon as they start operating in the morning. That way, you'll avoid long waiting lines of 1.5 hours during midday. The alternative is to purchase an expensive, more than twice the price "fast track" ticket.

Getting to the Top | Hiking Trails and Cable Car

• Cable Car (Cable Way): You can get up and down via cableway. Please remember that it doesn't operate when the weather is terrible, poor visibility or the wind is too strong. Getting to the cable car itself is not difficult. The easiest way is to book the combo tour (see the tours section below). 
• Hiking:  An even better experience is hiking. There are many different routes to get to the plateau of Table Mountain. However, most visitors choose to hike up and then take the cable car down or vice versa. Check the wind forecast first if you plan to hike up and take the gondola down. You can find a detailed description of my 5 favourite hiking trails around the "Table" below. There are two alternative routes for hiking if the cable car is closed: Platteklip Gorge and India Venster. Both hiking trails are spectacular, taking 1.5 up to 2 hours. The first one is more challenging and well-maintained, and the second one is more strenuous and not marked. The best choice is to hike one way up and the other down. Never walk alone due to safety reasons!! During quieter times, security is lacking.

Weather and Seasons in Cape Town

Summer (November-March)

November feels already like summer, reaching 25°C. January and February are the hottest months with almost 30°C. March is still warm and dry. Nights are refreshing cool ranging between 15°C to 17°C. The summertime is the driest time of the year with 9-11 sunshine hours daily. The sea is refreshing at 20°C from January to March. The southeaster, often called "Cape Doctor" by the locals, can blow for days on end during summer. Always bring a suitable jacket or layer of clothes. However, showers occur even during this season.

The Table is also famous for endemic flowers and plants like the pride of Table Mountain. The "disa uniflora" is an orchid that blooms from January to March at waterfalls and streams of the plateau and the Twelve Apostles. December to February is the busiest season; accommodation prices are the highest, especially during Christmas. Advanced booking is recommended.

Autumn (April-May)

Decreasing rainfall in April but still warm during the day around 25°C. May though a bit cooler but pleasant above 20°C. Nights are colder, on average 15°C and below. May experience already rain on nine days on average. Therefore, it’s less busy in Cape Town; more accommodations are available.

Winter (June-August)

You won't experience any extremes, which results in a mild winter. That means winter isn't a bad time to visit Cape Town! However, not all accommodations have electric heating or blanket. Nichts can be chilly. BAnd ut keep in mind that it's colder at the top of the Table and windier. Day temps are still around 20°C and nights, on average above 10°C. Most rainfall (almost 80%) throughout the year from May until September though June to August are the wettest; expect precipitation on average on ten days. However, climate change is present in Cape Town. The city suffered from drought in 2019, but it looks like it's improving.  A little snow can occur on the Table but already melts away during the day. Usually, winter is the low season, but it's a little busier during the summer holidays in Europe. Plenty of accommodations are available, and some are closed for maintenance.

Spring (September-October)

Rainfall decreases in September; temps are pleasant above 20°C; for me, the best time of the year. Roughly mid-August starts the flowering season along the coast and in the desert. Southern Right Whales are here with its peak from July to October. October is already warm, and rain is still decreasing. It’s not too crowded in Cape Town; hikes around the Table and the cable car are still not super busy.

There are tons of lodges, cottages, private houses, B&Bs, and hotels in Cape Town. Cape Town is rarely fully booked. However, we always book these accommodations in advance. First, rates are lower, and we only choose the safe and better-rated self-catering cottages or B&Bs. Usually, 80% of the accommodations are already booked a couple of weeks before the peak season. Check out booking.com for the best rates, and read the recommendations first. Bookmark the link for the lowest prices. If you click on the picture above, you get to our last accommodation close to Cape Town in Hout Bay on Mount Bay last summer. The view was fantastic, the sunrise spectacular, and even a gas BBQ was available.

Never hike up there alone. Always go in a group! That's why a tour is the best option. Sure, you could go on your own. However, besides the safety aspect (crimes and dangerous conditions) you'll make the most out of the mountain if you join a tour with great guides. I selected the most popular hiking tours with the best views by the most reliable operator. I also added a combo with a cable car ticket and a great city tour + hop-on-off bus. That's the easiest way if you don't want to hike.