#TableMountain #PlatteklipGorge #CapeTown
A late morning hike up Table Mountain, via the Platteklip Gorge route.
There are multiple routes up Table Mountain, although Platteklip Gorge is the most popular route. We did think about taking the route up from Camps Bay (via the Pipe Track) but that would have taken longer so we settled on the Platteklip Gorge route (just over 2km).
In hindsight and having been to the Botanical Gardens, a more scenic and varied route would be up Skeleton Gorge.
Either way, our route was set. The entrance to the Platteklip Gorge route is on Tafelberg road - you simply need to keep in driving past the cable car station (called the 'Table Mountain Aerial Cableway'). You can also start at the cable car and walk up to and along the Contour Path which then leads to the main Platteklip Gorge route.
Google Maps: g.page/platteklip-gorge-start...
General things to know when taking this route:
1. Start early. You'll want to pick a clear day so that you get the best views from the top and the afternoon tends to have more chances of there being cloud cover on table mountain. It also gets quite hot in the early afternoon!
2. Take lots of water. Depending on your level of fitness or your chose pace, it's likely to take you anywhere between 1 and 2.5 hours. You don't really want to be on the route without lots of water.
3. Take a jacket. It can get quite windy at the top of table mountain so whilst it might feel nice and warm at the bottom, the temperature can change quickly.
4. The Platteklip Gorge route is essentially just a really big stair case right to the top. Other routes offer more scenic views (the view from Platteklip Gorge are still good) so you might want to factor that in.
5. You don't have to hike up. You can take the cable car up (R390 Rand for a return trip), although the hike is a nice thing to do. Either way, if you're visiting Cape Town, Table Mountain is a must do.
6. Pay for the cable car down. It costs R210 Rand and will save your knees from the punishment of walking down. It also has a rotating floor which gives you a good view of the mountain and Cape Town.
At its highest point at Maclear's Beacon, Table Mountain is 1,086m (3,563ft). As such the views over Cape Town are unbeatable!
0:00 - Start of Platteklip Gorge (on Tafelberg road)
0:45 - Halfway up Table Mountain
3:30 - Final push up Platteklip Gorge
4:47 - Top of Table Mountain
6:49 - View over Camps Bay
8:18 - View over Lion's Head, Signal Hill and City Centre
10:15 - No drones allows on Table Mountain
11:24 - Table Mountain Cable Car
12:00 - Table Mountain Cable Car Prices
Shot on:
- GoPro Hero 9 Black (with media mod)
- Sony RX10 IV