MOUNTAIN TABLE

As part of the Cape Peninsula National Park mountain range, which extends to the peninsula, Table Mountain is a must see in Cape Town. It has become one of the new Seven Wonders of the World for its beauty and incredible biodiversity. In the distance, the Drakensberg Mountains, while the city is shaped around Signal Hill and Lion's Head. To the north, Devil Peak is a peak pointing to the sky, encircled by a small cloud. To the south, the "12 Apostles" above Camps Bay are majestic, and the tip of Cape Point can be seen in the distance. Many dassies live up there. Be careful, it bites! Of course, it is forbidden to pick any flowers, light any cigarettes or feed the dassies.

Climbing it on foot (2 hours) or by cable car allows you to marvel at the spectacular view of the city and the peninsula, at an altitude of over 1,000 m. The cable car ride up is impressive.

A 15-minute walk. A shorter tour, the Dassie Walk, makes a quick trip around the cable car station. Another 30 minute tour, the Agama Walk, offers a 360° view of the Cape and the peninsula.

A 3 hour walk. A long loop around the plateau and over the highest point of Mac Lear's Beacon Mountain, at 1087m. In good weather, allow a good 3 hours to walk around the plateau, bask in the sun and have a drink in the restaurant. In summer, it's best to go up at the end of the day for the sunset (remember to book online at weekends!). Free guided tours daily at 10am and 12pm.

1 day hike. Many routes are possible from Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch and even Constantia. We advise you to start in the morning from the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (entrance fee) and climb one of the two passages, Skeleton Gorge or Nursery Ravine, to reach the plateau. A route that passes two mountain lakes will take you to the cable car station (minimum 4 hours). Be aware that, all along the route, you have to climb ladders, which are very safe, but not very suitable for non-sportsmen and the fearful. There are many ways down, the most convenient being the one leading to the car park. If you are lazy about walking up and want to dedicate yourself to this walk from 11am onwards, buy a one-way ticket and do the reverse route to Kirstenborsch, this is the most classic route.

5 days/4 nights. The Hoerikwaggo trail, organised by the National Park guides, is best booked well in advance! You hike from the Cape of Good Hope in a small group to Table Mountain, passing through the "12 Apostles" mountain range and sleeping in well-equipped heavy tented camps, accompanied by a ranger.

Tips: Check the weather. Buy a detailed map of the park or use the services of a guide as the walking paths are not well marked and the mountain can be dangerous: sudden fog, crevasses... Always remain vigilant and walk in groups, not too late in the afternoon. Also be careful in winter, do not go through Skeleton Gorge because this path is the bed of a steep river with very slippery stones and frankly dangerous, prefer Nursery Ravine. Don't forget to take a little wool with you because when the weather gets cloudy, the temperature drops quickly