Table Mountain, South Africa
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Table Mountain is the flat topped mountain that dominates the skyline of Cape Town. It is 1085.9m at its highest point Maclear's Beacon, and the top can be reached in one of two ways:
Option one: The enthusiastic (and fit) can climb the mountain by one of the many well marked paths, taking anything from two to four hours (without stops). One of the nicest routes is from Kirstenbosch Gardens up Skeleton Gorge to the top Cable Station. It has the advantage of being in the shade until you leave the gorge, and you can get to say "I went to the very top" without taking a detour.
Die-hard climbers can climb the Devil's Peak which adjoins the western side of the mountain. I am reliably informed that it is a relentless upwards path which takes four hours (at least) from Newlands Forest and there is no cable car to bring you down. It is also possible to climb the 'back' of the mountain from near Constantia, thus avoiding Maclear's Beacon and the hordes of tourists at the top Cable Station.
Option 2: Those uninclined towards great physical exertion can brave the queues and take the Cable Car from Kloof Nek to the top of the mountain. It costs R65 for a return on the rotating cable car, a ride that takes 5 minutes each way. Then you can walk gently around on the flat top (it will take and hour to reach Maclear's Beacon) enjoying the scener, the wildlife and people with vertigo refusing to go near the edge.
There are souvenier shops and a restaurant at the top cable Station, but as they have a monopoly on business on the mountain they are inevitably more expensive than elsewhere in Cape Town. However the Cable Car does not run in very high winds (so check that it can bring you down before you start to climb!). Also the 'Tablecloth' cloud cover often arrives quickly and without warning, and no matter how pretty it may look on postcards it is definetly better viewed from below.
