Best Table Mountain Hike

By Vicky · Published Mar. 19th, 2026

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The best hike up Table Mountain goes via India Venster to the top, then back down Platteklip Gorge, with an easier route hiking just the gorge.

Location

Table Mountain looms over Cape Town, dominating the skyline. To get to the start of most hikes up Table Mountain, it’s 15-25 minutes drive from the V & A Waterfront or elsewhere in central Cape Town.

Where to park when hiking Table Mountain?

There are several car parks along Tafelberg Road, which leads across the lower slopes of Table Mountain from Klook Nek corner. This hike starts from a small car park at one of the bends in Tafelberg Road. If this car park is full, there’s a larger car park slightly further down, or you can park along the road by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.

Try to arrive early if you hike on a weekend to avoid the crowds, both in the car park and on the mountain! If you want to rent a car, check out the options for car hire* from Cape Town.

What if I don’t have a car?

If you don’t have a car, the easiest way to reach the start of the Table Mountain Hike is with Uber. Prices in South Africa are very reasonable, so this is a good option. Alternatively, you can book a guided hiking tour up Table Mountain* with pickup from your accommodation.

If you’re also interested in exploring the rest of Cape Town, the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus* stops at the Cable Car lower station. And if you don’t want to hike at all but just take the cable car, you can also get combined Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Cable Car tickets*.

Is it safe to walk up Table Mountain?

The hike up Table Mountain from the city side is generally quite safe. The route up Table Mountain via India Venster often has quite a few people, especially on weekends, and the route via Platteklip Gorge is almost always fairly busy. This means that the risk of muggings or similar is low. Additionally, SANParks rangers often patrol nearby. However, you shouldn’t walk alone and you shouldn’t walk in the dark. Though in a large group, and with a head torch, walking in the dark up or down Platteklip Gorge is considered safe.

The main danger of any hike up Table Mountain is the physical risks that come with walking in the mountains. Follow common sense rules such as wearing hiking shoes/boots and keeping away from the edge of cliffs. You should also check the weather on the day, as you shouldn’t hike in a thunderstorm.

When hiking up Table Mountain, it’s important to carry enough water and wear a sunhat. There’s not much shade and it can get very hot. In fact, Platteklip Gorge tends to concentrate the heat and often doesn’t get any wind!

If you’re alone or an inexperienced hiker, it’s best to go on a guided tour, for example, this popular hiking tour*.

Is the Table Mountain hike difficult?

The hike described here goes up Table Mountain via India Venster and returns down Platteklip Gorge. This is probably the best hike up Table Mountain. However, walking up India Venster has some short, moderately technical sections where you have to hold onto iron rungs or staples. It requires some agility and a head for heights, but shouldn’t challenge a moderately fit person used to hiking. The Platteklip Gorge route has no technical difficulty; it’s just many, many steps.

If you are not a confident hiker, the Platteklip Gorge route is recommended, as it’s easier. It still requires fitness though, with at least 700 metres of climb. Don’t underestimate this route, and take the Cable Car if you don’t hike often! It could also be a nice idea to walk up Platteklip Gorge and take the Cable Car back down.

Best Table Mountain Hike Map

Table Mountain Hiking Route

In the middle of the road bend, opposite the car park, there’s a smaller road leading to a gate. Just before the gate on the left, there’s a sign for ‘Kloof Corner’ and a path leading up some steps. Take this path. The start of this walk up Table Mountain via India Venster is fairly early. The path is clear and not too steep, with several zigzags leading up to what’s known as Kloof Corner.

Kloof Corner is a lovely viewpoint with many flat rocks to sit on, located dramatically below some steep, rocky cliffs. There’s a trig point here, so you can’t miss it. The views to the left are over dramatic mountain scenery, with Camps Bay and the ocean below. In front of you is Lion’s Head, while to the right, you can see over central Cape Town.

Head left from here, contouring along the front of Table Mountain. In about 450 metres, you’ll meet a junction, almost directly underneath the Cable Car. Take the path on the right, leading up the mountain. This is the start of the India Venster Hiking Trail. The path is slightly rocky and steep, but not difficult to begin with.

India Venster Hiking Route

The India Venster Route is the best hike up Table Mountain because it is a little challenging in places. This makes it exciting and much less crowded than the Platteklip Gorge route, often with just a few locals. But as mentioned before, if you’re afraid of heights, the India Venster Route isn’t for you.

As you hike higher, there are some little cliffs to climb up – not serious climbing, but just easy to moderate scrambling. There are some narrow ledges, but it is never too scary if you’re used to hiking. The route is clear in most places, though it’s always useful to have a hiking map. The Slingsby Table Mountain map is the best hiking map to have, and you can find it at outdoor shops such as Cape Union Mart at the V&A Waterfront. An online App such as Organic Maps is also super useful.

The path stays fairly close to the cable car for most of the route, and you can wave to the people in the large gondolas as they whizz past. But when almost at the top, the hiking trail actually goes around the back side of Table Mountain. The path then contours next to some little cliffs before leading up a small valley to the plateau at the top of Table Mountain.

At the Top of Table Mountain

The India Venster route reaches the top at the same place as the Platteklip Gorge route, at a main junction. There are now two loops you can walk before heading back down – one to the top cable car station and one to the highest point on Table Mountain. Both loops follow clear, well-marked trails and have only a small amount of climb.

The first loop, roughly 1.8km, leads to the top of the Cable Car. Here you’ll find several viewpoints, a cafe, ice cream, and some information boards. This is the busiest part of Table Mountain, but it’s worth going for the great views and to grab some refreshments!

The second loop goes to the very top of Table Mountain, Maclear’s Beacon, at 1,086 metres high. This route leads you along the front of Table Mountain, at the top of the cliffs. There are great views, it’s not too crowded, and you’ll see lots of pretty flowers. Make sure to stay on the path to avoid erosion and to avoid falling over the cliff edge. The loop leads around and up to the large beacon before returning to the main junction.

Hiking Down Table Mountain

From here, you can walk back down Platteklip Gorge. This is well-signed and there will be lots of tired people walking upwards. There are lots and lots of steps, before eventually you’ll reach a T-junction with the Contour Path. Turn left here and continue. Soon, there’s another junction. Keep hiking along the contour path (not down the steps), following the signs to the Lower Cable Station.

This is a really lovely part of the hike, with great views and a flat, easy trail. After about 1.5 km, turn right towards the Lower Cable Station. When you reach the road, it’s about 400 metres left down the road to return to the car park where you started. This is the end of the best hike up Table Mountain!

Platteklip Gorge Hiking Route up Table Mountain (easier)

If you don’t feel confident hiking, then you can walk up Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge. However, even though this route is the easiest route up Table Mountain, it’s still quite a challenge, and not recommended for those who aren’t used to hiking. It’s still 700 metres of climb, and there’s not much shade. The heat can make it a lot more difficult than you might expect, so don’t underestimate it.

To walk up this route, there’s parking very close to the beginning of the trail. There’s also a small coffee van and an information board opposite, where the hiking trail begins. You can then find good hiking signs to the top of the mountain. If you choose to take the Cable Car back down, you’ll have to walk 1.5 km back up the road to return to your car. Alternatively, take an Uber to the start and get an Uber back at the end.

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When in Cape Town, check out Bo-Kaap or the Castle of Good Hope, and if you enjoy hiking, hike up Lion’s Head or discover more hikes in South Africa.

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