Walking Up Table Mountain

Table Mountain is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world. Its distinctive flat top coated in a thick table cloth layer of cloud is well-known and well-loved by all South Africans, but most of all by citizens of Cape Town, many of whom feel territorially proud of it. The easiest way to reach the summit is via the Cable Way, which is used by around 800,000 tourists per year. Up to 65 people can fit into the rotating compartments that take between five and ten minutes to reach the top. The view is undeniably spectacular. But there is another way to the top of the mountain. Or rather, there are dozens of other ways to reach the summit. Table Mountain is criss-crossed with 800 km of well-marked hiking trails that provide unparalleled views that those on the cable cars can only dream of.

There are 550 walks, many of which are guided. Free guided walks are available through the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, but travel agencies can put you in touch with any number of accredited, professional guides with years of experience traversing the pathways of Table Mountain behind them.

One of the most popular routes is the Skeleton Gorge/Nursery Ravine walk. It starts in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, at Smuts Track, and is indicated with small yellow tree tags. It wends its way through some indigenous forest before hikers reach the half way point and some ladders. The ladders are there to help walkers over tricky rocky patches, but they are easy to climb. The top offers views over False Bay and Cape Point. From there hikers work their way past the Hely-Hutchinson Dam to the top of the Nursery Ravine where the descent begins. The entire circuit should take around three and a half hours.

Grootkop is a highly recommended route that few people take, even though guides say that it provides one of the best views of the whole Table Mountain Range. It starts at Theresa Drive in Camps Bay and ascends via Kasteelspoort, which is the shortest route to Grootkop. The climb is fairly tricky and isn't recommended for inexperienced or unfit hikers. Including a stopover for lunch, the roundtrip should take around six hours.

While many of the walks are suitable for inexperienced climbers, and it's possible for people to explore the mountain paths without a guide, visitors should bear in mind that Table Mountain can be a dangerous place for the unwary. Temperatures drop dramatically the higher you go, so even in summer visitors should carry something warm, and preferably waterproof, with them. A map, compass, torch and extra food are also recommended in case walkers wander off the pathways or bad weather sets in and they have to wait it out. October to March are traditionally the windy months, when gale-force south-easters shriek across the mountain face and do their best to whip hikers off the trails. But the wind is by no means bound by this indefinite timeline and can blow at any time. Mist is not uncommon and descends quickly and without warning.

Over the past year, Table Mountain has been plagued with an escalation in muggings. To combat this, more park rangers were employed, as well as increased police surveillance by camera and helicopter, particularly during peak periods. According to officials, the incidence of muggings as decreased as a result of these actions, but as is so often the case, no official numbers have been released. Hikers are advised to always travel in a group of at least four, to leave their valuables at home and to carry a cell phone in case of emergency.

Recommended sites:

http://www.tablemountainwalks.co.za/

http://www.places.co.za/html/tablemountainw.html

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Lathita specialists in South African safaris specialists in tailor made African package holidays, including safaris, honeymoons and adventure deals.

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