The Lazy Hiker’s Guide #1: Cape Town’s scenic hike for people who don’t need to suffer for a view
There are days when I want a proper mountain adventure.
The sort that starts early, ends late and leaves me wondering why I thought it was a good idea.
Then there are days when I want to walk.
Not climb. Not scramble. Not haul myself up a ravine.
Just walk.
The Pipe Track is made for those days.
It follows the western slopes of Table Mountain beneath the Twelve Apostles, with Camps Bay and the Atlantic spread out below. There is fynbos, mountain history, wildlife and a trail that lets you enjoy the mountain without spending the morning fighting it.
That makes it the perfect trail to launch The Lazy Hiker’s Guide, a new series about hikes that offer plenty of reward without demanding a heroic effort.
Because easy does not mean boring.
Sometimes the mountain is at its best when you have time to look around.
Pipe Track at a Glance
| Location | Table Mountain, Cape Town |
| Access points | Kloof Nek and Theresa Avenue |
| Terrain | Gravel, rock and uneven mountain trail |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate, depending on how far you go |
| Cost | Free |
| Facilities | No toilets or water points along the trail |
| Best for | Hikers, beginners, families, visitors, trail runners and recovery days |
| Best time | Early morning, especially in summer |
| Views | Camps Bay, Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles |
The Pipe Track is an out-and-back route for most walkers, so you control the distance.
Walk until you’ve had enough.
Then turn around.
It’s a refreshing concept.
Where Does the Pipe Track Start?
There are two common access points: Kloof Nek and Theresa Avenue in Camps Bay.
The traditional access point is at the junction of Tafelberg Road and Kloof Nek. From there, the Pipe Track follows the western slopes of Table Mountain towards Corridor Ravine.
You can also access it from Theresa Avenue in Camps Bay.
I’ve used both.
For this guide, I’m starting from Theresa Avenue because that’s where I was on Sunday, 26 July.
We were supporting some of our 13 Peaks crew who were doing a catch-up hike of Grootkop and Judas Peak. Their route was taking them up Corridor Ravine.
I was there to support them. And also FOMO. Half a hike is better than none.
Starting from Theresa Avenue
Drive to the top of Theresa Avenue in Camps Bay and follow the concrete and gravel jeep track towards the mountain.
This is the one part of the walk that doesn’t quite live up to the Lazy Hiker promise.
It climbs.
The gradient is steady and it takes around 15 to 20 minutes for most walkers.
Take it slowly.
There is no prize for reaching the top first.
I prefer to call the occasional pause a strategic scenic appreciation break.
Once the jeep track joins the Pipe Track, the character of the walk changes.
The climb is behind you.
Mostly.
Starting from Kloof Nek
Kloof Nek gives you another way onto the Pipe Track.
From the junction with Tafelberg Road, the trail heads along the western slopes of Table Mountain towards the Twelve Apostles.
This is the traditional starting point for the full Pipe Track route.
SANParks describes the route from Kloof Nek to Corridor Ravine as about 6 km one way, with the terrain becoming more demanding as you approach Corridor.
That distinction matters.
The Pipe Track is often described as an easy walk, but the full route is not one uniform experience.
The further you go, the more the mountain starts asking questions.
And Then You Reach the Pipe Track
The path opens out beneath the Twelve Apostles.
To the left, the mountain rises above you.
To the right, Camps Bay drops towards the Atlantic.
The trail is broad in places, narrower in others, and rocky underfoot.
This is a mountain path, not a pavement.
Proper shoes are sensible.
But there is no scrambling.
No chains.
No climbing.
And no need to spend the entire morning staring at your feet.
That is the point.
There is time to talk.
Time to take photographs.
Time to stop and look at the ocean.
Time to notice what is growing beside the path.
The Views
It also gives you a different perspective of Table Mountain.
Instead of climbing towards the summit, you travel along its lower slopes.
The Twelve Apostles rise above you while the Atlantic stretches below.
Camps Bay looks different from up here. The beach and buildings sit far below, with Lion’s Head across the bay.
On a clear day, the coastline seems to go on forever.
On a cloudy day, the mountain can disappear into mist.
Both are worth seeing.
Cape Town weather changes quickly, so check the forecast before setting out.
And don’t underestimate the sun.
SANParks warns that the Pipe Track is exposed to hot afternoon sun in summer and recommends early starts. Winter can be a good time to visit, particularly when the proteas are flowering.
Look Around
The ocean gets most of the attention.
It shouldn’t.
The Pipe Track passes through Table Mountain’s fynbos, part of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Depending on the season, you’ll find proteas, ericas and other fynbos species growing between the rocks.
Look for birds moving through the vegetation too.
And keep an eye on the rocks.
You may spot a dassie warming itself in the sun.
It will probably ignore you.
That is exactly as it should be.
The Pipe Track Is Also a Gateway
The Pipe Track isn’t only a hike.
It is also an access route to some of Table Mountain’s best-known adventures.
Routes branch off the Pipe Track or use it as their approach, including:
- Kasteelspoort
- Diagonal
- Woody Ravine
- Woody Buttress
- Corridor Ravine
- Three Firs
- Spring Buttress
And from the upper mountain, routes such as Tranquility Cracks form part of the wider network.
This is where the Lazy Hiker needs to pay attention.
The Pipe Track itself may be a gentle walk.
The routes leaving it are not necessarily gentle.
Kasteelspoort is a proper ascent of the Twelve Apostles. Diagonal is steep and involves scrambling. Woody Buttress is a scrambling route. Woody Ravine climbs steeply. Corridor Ravine takes you towards the upper mountain.
So if you’ve come for a relaxed walk, stay on the Pipe Track.
Admire the people heading upwards.
Wish them well.
Then carry on.
Or turn around.
There will always be another day for the more questionable decisions.
When the Lazy Hiker Meets Breakfast Hangover ... err... overhang
This was the decision point on Sunday.
Our 13 Peaks crew was heading up Corridor Ravine towards Grootkop and Judas Peak.
I wasn’t.
I’d already decided that my contribution to the day’s proceedings would be support, conversation and staying on the path that didn’t require me to reconsider my life choices.
Corridor Ravine is where the Pipe Track starts becoming a different proposition.
For the purposes of this Lazy Hiker’s Guide, this overhang is a perfectly good place to turn around.
The History Beneath Your Feet
There is a reason the Pipe Track exists.
It was built to service a water pipeline that carried water from Table Mountain’s Back Table towards Cape Town.
In the late nineteenth century, Cape Town’s population was growing and its water supply was under pressure.
The mountain’s water became part of the solution.
Water from the Disa Gorge was carried through the mountain via the Woodhead Tunnel and along the western slopes towards the city and the Molteno Reservoir.
The Pipe Track provided access to the pipeline.
So while you’re walking it today in hiking shoes, people once walked this route for work.
And their work was considerably harder than yours.
There were no hiking poles.
No hydration packs.
No GPS watches.
No trail snacks.
Just the mountain, the materials and the job.
Some of the old infrastructure can still be seen along the route.
It’s easy to walk past it.
Don’t.
It’s part of the story.
Trail Runners: This One Is for You Too
The Pipe Track is also a good option for trail runners.
The terrain is runnable in many sections, the views are excellent and you can extend the route by connecting with other trails.
But there is one thing I feel strongly about.
Don’t run it alone.
I know.
Trail runners like running.
Alone.
At their own pace.
Without waiting for anyone.
I get it.
But mountain safety isn’t only about fitness.
Imagine someone in your group rolls an ankle or becomes seriously ill.
If there are four of you, one person can stay with the injured runner while two go for help.
If you’re alone, you have a much bigger problem.
Cellphone reception is not reliable everywhere on Table Mountain either, so don’t assume that calling for help will always be straightforward.
And then there is the other issue.
Muggings have occurred on Table Mountain routes.
Being in a group does not guarantee safety, but one person is more vulnerable than four.
So my advice is simple:
Hike and run in groups of four or more.
And no, taking your dog doesn’t count.
A dog is wonderful company.
A dog cannot call for help.
A dog cannot stay with an injured person while someone goes for assistance.
One person with two dogs is still one person.
Keep the group together, particularly on quieter sections and at junctions.
Tell someone where you’re going.
Carry a charged phone.
Check the weather.
And if something doesn’t feel right, turn around.
The mountain will still be there tomorrow.
What Should You Take? (Besides a few dozen of your best mates)
You don’t need an expedition pack.
You do need the basics.
Water
Carry enough for the distance and weather. There are no reliable water points along the trail.
Sun protection
Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
The Atlantic breeze can make the heat deceptive.
Windbreaker
Weather on the mountain can change fast.
Proper shoes
Trail shoes or comfortable hiking shoes are ideal. The path is uneven and rocky in places.
Snacks
Something small is enough.
Biltong.
Fruit.
An energy bar.
Whatever keeps the hunger wolf quiet.
Phone
For photographs, navigation and emergencies.
A power bank is useful if you’re out for several hours.
That’s it.
No expedition pack required.
When Is the Best Time to Walk?
Early morning is my first choice, but especially in summer.
The Pipe Track is exposed and the afternoon sun can be fierce. SANParks recommends early summer mornings and notes that winter is a good time to visit, particularly when proteas are flowering.
Winter can also mean greener slopes and clearer days.
But this is Cape Town.
Weather wins arguments.
Check the forecast.
Carry a layer.
And if conditions deteriorate, turn around.
The mountain isn’t going anywhere.
Is the Pipe Track Suitable for Beginners?
Yes, with a qualification.
The Pipe Track is one of the better introductions to Table Mountain because much of the route is relatively gentle and you don’t need to climb to the summit.
But it is still a mountain trail.
There are uneven rocks, exposed sections and changing weather.
Beginners should stay on the established route, avoid the ascent routes unless they know what they’re doing, and turn around before fatigue or weather becomes a problem.
“Easy” in Table Mountain terms does not mean “walk in the park.”
The Best Part: You Can Turn Around
There is no summit waiting for you.
No finish line.
No peak bagging.
No one is keeping score.
You can walk for an hour.
You can walk for three.
You can stop for twenty minutes because the view is too good to leave.
Then you turn around.
The mountain doesn’t judge.
Neither do I.
Should You Do the Pipe Track?
Yes.
If you’re new to hiking, this is a good way to experience Table Mountain without committing to a major ascent.
If you’re visiting Cape Town, it gives you mountain, ocean and fynbos in one walk.
If you’re an experienced hiker, it is a good option when you don’t feel like making life difficult.
If you’re a trail runner, it gives you a scenic route that can be extended into a longer mountain run.
And if you’re training for something bigger, the Pipe Track can be part of a longer route.
The scenery does most of the work.
You just have to show up.
The Lazy Hiker's Rating
🥾 Effort: ★★☆☆☆
🌊 Views: ★★★★★
🌿 Nature: ★★★★☆
📸 Photo opportunities: ★★★★★
🏃 Trail-running potential: ★★★★☆
☕ Coffee potential: ★★★★★
😌 Likelihood of regretting your life choices: ★☆☆☆☆
Verdict
One of the best effort-to-reward walks on Table Mountain.
The Pipe Track doesn’t take you to the top.
It doesn’t need to.
It gives you the mountain at eye level, the Atlantic below and enough energy left afterwards to enjoy a coffee on the strip if your wanted to.
That’s a pretty good morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pipe Track suitable for beginners?
Yes. The main Pipe Track is relatively easy compared with many Table Mountain routes, although the terrain is uneven and some sections are rocky.
Where does the Pipe Track start?
The traditional access point is at Kloof Nek, near the junction with Tafelberg Road. It can also be accessed from Theresa Avenue in Camps Bay.
How long is the Pipe Track?
The route from Kloof Nek to Corridor Ravine is about 6 km one way. Your total distance depends on where you start and where you turn around.
Can you run the Pipe Track?
Yes. It is a popular option for trail runners, although some sections are rocky and uneven. Trail runners should run in groups rather than alone.
Can you hike the Pipe Track to the top of Table Mountain?
Not as a simple continuation. The Pipe Track provides access to several routes that climb towards the upper mountain, including Kasteelspoort, Diagonal, Woody Ravine and Corridor Ravine.
Is the Pipe Track safe?
It is a popular route, but it is still a mountain environment. There have been muggings on Table Mountain routes, and cellphone reception can be unreliable. Hike or run in groups of four or more, stay together and check conditions before setting out.
Can you take children on the Pipe Track?
Children can hike sections of the Pipe Track, but adults should keep them close on rocky or exposed sections. The route becomes more demanding towards Corridor Ravine.
The Lazy Hiker's Guide
The Pipe Track is exactly what I want this series to be about.
Good trails.
Good views.
Interesting stories.
Enough exercise to justify breakfast.
And absolutely no requirement to make every hike harder than it needs to be.
There are plenty of mountains left to climb.
Sometimes I’ll climb them.
Sometimes I’ll just walk beneath them.
Both count.
And that is the whole point of The Lazy Hiker’s Guide.
Gallery
Thanks
For the vids and pics:
Meenakshi
Shameemah
Shanaaz
Zakia