Table Mountain

Table Mountain

The 1086 meter high Mountain was declared "one of the world’s new 7 wonders of the nature" in 2004.

History

Table Mountain (a. k. a. Tafelberg) is, like its name says, shaped in the form of a table. At its foot lies the beautiful city of Cape Town. The mountain got its name from the Dutch colonists who arrived in the early 1600's, but it is actually not that accurate. The back of Table Mountain for that matter is not table'ish looking at all. This part is called the 12 Apostles. If you would however count them, you will notice that there are a lot more than twelve but the actual amount probably would not have sounded so good. At the foot of this side of the mountain, you can find the lovely suburb Camps Bay and the Chapmans Peak Drive.

Getting on top of it

There are several ways to reach the top of this amazing mountain.

The easiest way is to use the cable car. It has a rotating floorboard which will make sure you have seen every side of Cape Town without having to push people over to get to an opposing window. Ticket prices and opening hours vary according to season, but they always offer a student discount if you go on Friday and there is a general discount after 6PM.

Another option to get on top of Table Mountain, is by hiking. And I really recommend this one. Although some of the trails are quite challenging, they are worth it. Just make sure you come prepared. Bring enough water and food, energy bars or even a full lunchbox. This will really brighten up your hike. Platteklip (approximately 2 hours) and Skeleton Gorge (approximately 4 hours) are only two of many trails that lead up to table mountain.

You feel like hiking but don't want to go up that long? Then take the cable car up and down, but start your hike on top of Table Mountain. This way, you'll avoid the sometimes rocky or steep parts in the other hikes.

Be Aware

Always check the weather before you leave. Not only because the cable way can be closed due to bad weather, but mainly because it can be very windy and apparently there for dangerous. You won't be the first to get literally blown away.. If you are hiking, always inform someone about your plans or take someone with you as opposed to going alone. The more the merrier right, and this way you have someone there to take the picture we all know you want to Instagram after this amazing trip.

How to get to the cable car?

You can easily drive there by car and park near the cable car station. However, in high season it can be quite busy and you might not find a parking spot that easy. Uber is another way to get there, but also the MyCiti buses have a shuttle that brings you up and down. Planning on going all out on the tourist attractions, than take the City Sightseeing's hop-on hop-off red bus. They too drive all the way up and their trips in general are really worth your money.

Cheers

Make your trip even better and stop at the Table Mountain Café. They've got nice meals, but also small snacks (read delicious cookies and muffins). They serve hot drinks, beers, soda's but also frozen cocktails or slushies. Enough to choose from, right? Now pick a table, read some of the trivia on the surface and enjoy the sundown.

Tip: Did you like hiking up Table Mountain or do you want to start with a hike that is more easy but still (if not more) stunning? Check out Lion's Head! . Its top can only be reached by foot and going up takes about 1h30 (except for Capetonians, they run this mountain up and down as a daily workout.. ). Make it a sunrise or sundowner for an even more spectacular view. I did both and I absolutely loved it.

Don't feel like hiking or paying for your trip? Drive up to Signal Hill and have a pick nick. Pose in the yellow National Geographic photo frame and don't fade when the noon gun goes off. It is quite a bang.

A quite astonishing view from Signal Hill when facing Table Mountain.

The picture shows a table cloth of clouds that cover up Table Mountain. It is a quite common view but it amazing to see every time. Especially when the clouds just slide over the top and then gently fall down like a steaming waterfall.. This place is amazing.

The city of Cape Town, in South Africa, is surrounded by mountains. The most important of them is Table Mountain. The place is named after its shape: really steep on the sides and flat on top, it really looks like a dinner table.

There are two ways to get to the top of the mountain: by cable car or hiking and climbing. I chose the most adventurous.

The hike takes about 2 hours to go up and another 2 to climb down. Once you get to the top you'll be more than a thousand meters high from the sea level and you'll be able to see the whole city.

Also in the way there you'll be impressed by beautiful nature and scenarios. You'll feel like climbing to heaven.

Totally worth the effort!

Tips

Be prepared! I don't recommend that people with knees or back problems to do this hiking (it can be really steep and challenging). Also, if you're going: be fueled with water bottles and snacks for the way. Last but not least, use sunscreen - the sun in South Africa is really strong even in the winter.

When to go

During the summer it can be really hot and it is not recommended to climb the mountain during midday. Do it in the morning or afternoon.

The best time to go is at 3 or 4 pm, so when you get to the top you'll see the sunset in the city. (But once it's dark, you can't go down hiking, you must catch the cable car!)