You don’t have to go very far outside of town to go hiking in South Africa. Several popular routes are found right in and around Cape Town, ranging from easy to extreme ones. Bizarre rocks, stunning views of the ocean, white sand beaches, a variety of animals and birds – all this attracts even those who do not particularly like long walks. In this article, we will talk about the most interesting routes in Cape Town, and also invite you to take part in our organized hiking tours, which are suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers!
Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail
- Where it starts: Cape Point National Park (1-1.5 hours by car from Cape Town)
- Required fitness level: 1/5
- Trail length: 2.7 km
- Hiking time: 30 minutes one way
The path runs from the bottom station of the funicular to the lighthouse at the top of the hill. From there, you have an incredible view of the ocean and the entire National Park. This route is considered the easiest in South Africa – even children can do it. If you get very tired, you can go back down by cable car instead of hiking to the bottom. Entrance to the park is 376 ZAR for adults and 188 ZAR for children. You can get there from Cape Town by bus or car. If you need help in organization of transport – Beloc will be happy to assist.
It is worth remembering that the hill with the lighthouse attracts crowds of tourists who usually immediately climb up by cable car. To calmly enjoy nature, the sound of waves and birds chirping, it is better to arrive on a weekday.
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Cape of Good Hope Scenic Walk
- Where it starts: Cape Point National Park (1-1.5 hours by car from Cape Town)
- Required fitness level: 1/5
- Trail length: 3.5 km
- Hiking time: 1.5 hours one way
This is a longer route that starts just from the trail sign at the Cape of Good Hope and leads to the lower station of the funicular. Hiking this trail also does not require a special fitness level. The only difficulty is found at the very beginning: you will have to climb stone steps onto a fairly steep cliff. Along the way you can meet monkeys, seabirds, ostriches and other animals.
This route passes through Dias Beach. If you wish, you can go down the cliff and go straight into the ocean. You might want to take a swim after the climb, although we do not recommend doing this: there is a fairly strong current, cool water and an encounter with great white sharks is possible. If you want to extend the route, climb from the endpoint of the trail to the lighthouse we talked about earlier.
Chapman’s Peak Trail
- Where it starts: in the middle of Chapman’s Peak Drive
- Required fitness level: 1/5
- Trail length: 3 km
- Hiking time: 1-2 hours one way
The trail can be accessed from the parking lot on Chapman’s Peak Drive. The road to the mountain plateau takes only half an hour. Then turn right at the next fork and climb up the boulder stairs to the top of Chapman’s Peak. Nearby is the town of Noordhoek, where you can dine, visit a winery and walk along the white sandy beaches.
Lion’s Head Trail
- Where it starts: near the Lion’s Head Parking (Signal Hill Road, Cape Town)
- Required fitness level: 2/5
- Trail length: 4.3 km
- Hiking time: 2.5-3 hours one way
The Lion’s Head Trail starts just outside Cape Town city center. The mountain, when viewed from the side, resembles the head of a lion. From the top, you can clearly see the city, the ocean and the valley at the foot of the mountain.
The trail goes along stone stairs that become steeper with each step. The route is considered quite simple and relaxed. But to get to the very top of the Lion’s head, you will need to use rock climbing skills to climb the chains.
Skeleton Gorge Trail
- Where it starts: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Required fitness level: 2/5
- Trail length: 8.4 km
- Hiking time: 4-6 hours one way
The route leads to the top of the famous Table Mountain. This is the longest but easiest way to get there. It lies through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, and therefore you need to pay 220 ZAR per person for entry.
The first half of the trail passes through the forest, then you have to climb up the mountain along the stone steps and climb over boulders. The route is suitable for beginner hikers, but this is not an option for a quiet lazy walk – you will need to at least have a basic fitness level. At the end of this path, you will find a reservoir with snow-white sand – Hely-Hutchinson Dam, which was built many years ago to supply Cape Town with water.
Cape of Good Hope Hiking Trail
- Where it starts: Cape Point National Park
- Required fitness level: 2/5
- Trail length: 33-45 km
- Hiking time: 2 days
If you want to explore the entire Cape Point National Park, you will need two days, including an overnight stay. This is a circular route: it starts and ends at the entrance of the park. It is advisable to start your journey no later than 9 am, as you may not be allowed through.
The route itself is not at all difficult; there are no steep cliffs or difficult places to pass. The main thing is to be resilient enough to walk 15 kilometers a day. You can sleep over in cottages or a guest house within the park area by pre-booking accommodation via South African National Parks website. Don’t forget to bring sleeping bags, toiletries, food and water.
Platteklip Gorge Trail
- Where it starts: a little further than the lower station of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (Table Mountain National Park)
- Required fitness level: 3/5
- Trail length: 3 km
- Hiking time: 2 hours one way
Perhaps the most popular route among tourists is to the top of Table Mountain, from where you can admire the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Town city. The path starts not so far from the cable car and goes up the gorge.
This route will be difficult for beginners; in some places, you will have to climb stone steps. A couple of times along the entire route the trail will pass right along the edge of the hill. But going down this route in the heat can be even more difficult than going up: the sun heats the stones and makes them quite slippery.
Hoerikwaggo Trail
- Where it begins: Cape of Good Hope
- Required fitness level: 3/5
- Trail length: 75 km
- Hiking time: 5 days
If a few hours of hiking there and back isn’t enough for you and you enjoy long overnight hikes, the Hoerikwaggo Trail is just what you are looking for. In about 5 days, you will travel around the entire Cape Peninsula. Most often, the trail starts from the Cape of Good Hope and goes to the top of Table Mountain. But you can choose another route, there are a lot of options to pick from. You won’t be doing any rock climbing on this route, but a good fitness level is still needed: you’ll need to walk 10-20 kilometers every day. The night can be spent at campsites. Make sure to book a spot in advance on the South African National Parks website.
Devil’s Peak Hike Trail
- Where it starts: 3 km from the lower station of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (Table Mountain National Park)
- Required fitness level: 4/5
- Trail length: 5.5 km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours one way
The path starts from the car park on Tafelberg Road. This route is considered one of the most difficult in the vicinity of Cape Town, which justifies its name. There are no steep rocks on the route that require a long and hard climb, but the trail is very narrow and not as well-maintained as the others. The weather on the way to the top of the mountain can change very quickly, clouds and wind might appear out of nowhere.
There are a lot of road splits and forks on the route and not very many people. Therefore before climbing, it is recommended to download maps that will be available offline so you do not get lost.
India Venster Route
- Where it starts: 50 meters from the lower station of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (Table Mountain National Park)
- Required fitness level: 5/5
- Trail length: 2.5 km
- Hiking time: 2.5-3 hours one way
This is the most extreme hike to the top of Table Mountain. The route is suitable only for experienced hikers and only in calm weather. On average, the ascent and descent can take from 4 to 6 hours. Rockfalls occur here, and hikers have to climb steep cliffs all the way to the top. But this is not a completely wild path: in the most difficult parts of the trail there are metal steps dwelled into the rocks.
Whatever route you choose, be sure to prepare for the hike: take hats or caps, water and a first aid kit, wear comfortable clothes and, most importantly, shoes. If you are going for a long time, do not forget about warm clothes, food, and personal hygiene products. Be sure to study the route and check the weather forecast in advance – then hiking will be safe and enjoyable.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with hiking tours and local experts with the Beloc team. From Table Mountain to the Cape of Good Hope, we will guide you along the trails with the most stunning views and take care of all the logistics. We offer private and group hiking tours in an all-inclusive format. There will be only one thing left for you – to enjoy and make unforgettable memories! More information about our tours via the link.
