Table Mountain Hike

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The Road Chose Me Volume 2: Three years and 54,000 miles around Africa

From the minute we drive into Cape Town I realize how much Table Mountain dominates the city skyline. The mountain is so close to downtown it’s impossible NOT to constantly stare at it.

Of course, because it’s a mountain and because it’s there, we have to hike it! Driving past the thousands of people waiting in line to ride the cable car is a little strange, and I’m relived to see hardly any cars parked at the base of the hike for Platteklip Gorge. From the get go we realize the intense heat will be our struggle for the day, so we pace ourselves and thoroughly enjoy the climb.

Enjoying the views part way up

There is no doubt, this is a steep hike, never letting up all the way to the top. Every time we stop and look at the view behind us I’m impressed and motivated to keep going.

The hiking up Platteklip Gorge

We we do eventually reach the summit it feels like an achievement, made all the stronger by the thousands and thousands of people milling about. I’m shocked to see so many tourists in one place, and I start to miss the peace and quiet of West Africa.

View along the coast from the summit

The full view of the city from the summit

We wander around on the summit all afternoon before scampering back down the same way we came up. A sneaky shower in the parking lot finished off a magic day of hiking in the beautiful sunshine!

Em Enjoying the view

….I wish I had a paraglider!

If you’re ever in Cape Town, I highly recommend hiking Table Mountain – it’s well worth the effort. There is no need to pay for a guide or tour company. Just drive up the one and only road to the cable car, keep going another 1/2 mile or so and you’ll see signs for Platteklip Gorge Hiking Trail. You can’t go wrong.

-Dan