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Climb to the top of Table Mountain: Cable Car or hikes?

What to do in Cape Town? Stay in Cape Town without climbing the Table Mountain is simply unthinkable! Here we provide you with all the price and timetable information for the Cable Car (or cable car) in addition to the main hiking trails for the more courageous.

Why “Table Mountain”?


Upon arrival in Cape Town, Table Mountain, also called “Table Mountain”, impresses with its majestic presence and original form! Its top is as flat as the top of a table. On windy days, very white clouds cover it and fall on the sides, like a tablecloth hence its name.

One of the Seven Wonders of Nature


Did you know ? Table Mountain is one of the Seven New Wonders of Nature , a list of remarkable natural phenomena established with reference to the list of Seven Wonders of the World .

The Table Mountain which dominates the city, rises to 1086m and is one of the most old mountain range of the world with its 360 million years (the Mont Everest has 60 million).

On foot or by cable car?


For reach the top you have a choice of two options, either you decide to climb the mountain on foot, or you take the cable car.

By cable car: Times and prices

The Table Mountain Cable Car (cable car) has been in operation since October 4 1929, more than 27 million travelers reached the top of the mountain in using it. Each of its two cabins carries up to 65 people.

As the climate is often windy in Cape Town, on the day of your ascent it is best to check on Table Mountain website whether the weather conditions are favorable or not to use the cable car.

Yes the sky is clear and the force of the wind allows it, here is how to avoid too long waits at the counters on site!

I advises you to take your tickets online the same day, before you go to the starting point of the cable car. If you buy them a few days in advance, you run the risk of having bad weather conditions and cable car closed. Failure to book your tickets online would expose you to a sometimes very long wait at the counters.

Ticket prices vary by month and season, you can find them on the official Table Mountain website .

Also on the Table Mountain site , all the information regarding the opening hours of the cable car, which vary according to the seasons, is indicated.

  • The winter months from May to August, open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last descent at 6:00 p.m.).
  • From September to April, opening at 8:00 a.m. closing varying from month to month,
  • In December and January closing at 8:30 p.m., last descent at 9:30 p.m.

A annual closure for maintenance of the cable car is between July and August, check out the Table Mountain website.

On foot: our favorite hikes

Apart from the Table Mountain Cable Car, for the more athletic, there is the ascent on foot! For hiking enthusiasts, access to the top of Table Mountain is accessible to you, several trails will lead you there, the choice is yours, I recommend a few among many others!

Platteklip Gorge

Relatively easy and suitable for children, there is no dangerous passage, it takes 1h30 for the fastest to 3h if you want to stop for photos, the hike offers superb panoramas.

Skeleton Gorge

Yes you want to take a less frequented path, this one is ideal; Furthermore as the trail starts at Kirstenbosch Garden, you will take the opportunity to to visit. The hike is long, it takes 3:30 to 4 hours to reach the top.

India fenster

Hike of about 2h30, much more sporty, difficult and steep route, some places are to be climbed with ladders. The panoramic view over Cape Town, Camps Bay and the surrounding area is magnificent.

Tips from hikers


Small precautions before starting a hike : you should bring water, a plan of the chosen hike, a jacket for the often windy summit with rapidly changing weather, sports shoes and a cell phone in case of problems.

At summit, you will find 3 different loops of various lengths, that pass through all the lookouts, it is essential not to leave the marked trails for the protection of plants.

Fauna & Flora on the summit


Table Mountain offers a very high biodiversity, you will find 1400 species there different plants. The vegetation is called fynbos (word in Afrikaans which means small bushes).

You will meet the Cape hyrax (in Afrikaans Dassie), a small mammal that resembles to a groundhog and is the elephant’s closest terrestrial cousin. Unlike the porcupine and mongoose also present, the dassie is very familiar and likes to be photographed!

Come and discover Cape Town, contact us!


South African Travellers , an agency based in Cape Town which, for more than twelve years, has specialized in tailor-made destinations in Southern Africa. Our Rangers will be happy to advise you. Discover our itineraries in South Africa.

See you soon,

Irina.

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