Platteklip Gorge

Platteklip Gorge is by far the most popular and busiest Table Mountain hiking route taking you to the top of Table Mountain. Although this is the fastest route up Table Mountain it is by all means not the easiest and a relatively good fitness level is required to hike this route to the summit.

Description

Platteklip gorge is a steep, large stair like route. The hike is not very technical and if you are scared of heights, been close to edges and want to hike the Front Table, then this hike may suit you.

We start our accent from the lower cable car station up Table Mountain’s northern slopes to the Contour Path, this is a beautiful level path running across the front of Table Mountain starring down at the city and Table bay giving us some time to really take in the mountain and appreciate the surroundings before the path is intersected and we start a steep accent up Platteklip Gorge.

Platteklip Gorge meaning flat rock gorge is known for its large flat rocks and impressive ‘Table Mountain sandstone’ cliffs. This Table Mountain hiking route is covered in fynbos and a river passes through it and you’ll find a variety of flora around this area.

The route overlooks the City of Cape Town, Table Bay and Devils Peak and on a clear day you can see out for miles. Platteklip Gorge splits the cliffs of the main plateau and the angle of the gorge restricts views a little, but don’t let this put you off as this route leads you to the top and the views form the top of Table Mountain are described as one of the most epic in Africa.

The route will finish all the way at the top, just minutes from the upper cable car station and we will take the cable car down.

Distance

+/- 2.5km

Time

2-3 hours

Terrain

single rocky track, stone steps – steep sections..

Difficulty

Moderate

Extension

Take an extension after a hike up Platteklip Gorge and walk to the highest point on Table Mountain, towards the eastern end and is marked by Maclean’s Beacon a stone built cairn sitting at 1086m above sea level, a popular Table Mountain landmark.

Time to hike

The route receives direct sunlight most of the day, it gets a bit of shade late in the afternoon when the western slopes block out the sun. This Table Mountain hiking route is best hiked early morning in the hot summer months.