They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Scenic is in the eye of the hiker. It’s relative.
Cape Town is a hiker’s paradise, with trails that cater to all levels of fitness and experience. From coastal walks to mountain scrambles, the Mother City has it all.
In this post, we’ll explore the most picturesque hikes that Cape Town has to offer, including a brief description of the trail, its difficulty level, distance, and key features.
1. Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6km
Start: Tafelberg Road
Table Mountain is undoubtedly one of the most iconic landmarks in Cape Town, and hiking to the top is an experience you won’t forget. There are a number of trails that lead to the summit, but the Platteklip Gorge route is the most direct and popular.
The hike is relatively steep, with a total elevation gain of 700m, and should take approximately 3-4 hours to complete.
The trail is well-maintained and has plenty of rest stops along the way.
Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding mountains.
2. Lions Head
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Distance: 5km
Start: Lions Head Parking, Signal Hill Road
Lion’s Head is arguably one of the most popular hikes in Cape Town, and for good reason.
This iconic peak offers stunning panoramic views of the city, Table Mountain, and the Atlantic Ocean. The trail starts with a gentle incline, which soon turns into a steep climb using chains and ladders to assist in the ascent.
The hike takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your fitness level and how often you stop to take in the views.
The best time to hike Lion’s Head is either early in the morning to catch the sunrise or late in the afternoon for the sunset.
You can find an alternate route here.
3. Skeleton Gorge
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6km
Start: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or Cecilia Forest
Skeleton Gorge is a beautiful trail that winds through the lush forest of Table Mountain, starting at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
The hike is relatively steep and requires some scrambling over rocks and boulders, but the effort is well worth it. The trail follows a stream that leads to a series of waterfalls and pools, providing a refreshing break on a hot day.
The hike takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete and offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
4. India Venster
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Distance: 3.7km (up) but add another 3km if you plan to come down via Platteklip Gorge
Start: Tafelberg Road (at the Upper Cableway Station)
India Venster is a challenging hike up the front face of Table Mountain.
The hike is steep and rocky, with chains and ladders to help you climb up the mountain.
The terrain is rocky and challenging, so make sure you are prepared for a tough hike.
The views from the top are simply stunning, with panoramic views of the city and the ocean.
Go here and here for more on this route.
5. Devils Peak
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6km
Start: Tafelberg Road
Devil’s Peak is the third and final peak of the Table Mountain range. It’s about 2.8km to the top, so the total hike is about 6km, depending on how you descend. You can descend the way you came up, or you can take the more scenic route down via Oppelskop.
Total elevation is about 740 metres or 2340 feet.
The hike up Devil’s Peak is moderately challenging, with steep sections after the saddle (beyond this the trail is inaccessible in gale force winds) and a short rocky scramble to the summit.
However, the views from the top are incredible, with panoramic views of the city, the ocean, and Table Mountain and most of Cape Town, from the Atlantic Seaboard to Muizenberg. On a clear day you can see Muizenberg Peak.
The hike takes around three to four hours, depending on your fitness level.
Go here to read my most recent hike up Devils Peak.
6. Chapmans Peak
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6km (0ut and back)
Start: Chapmans Peak Drive (Houtbay) or Noordhoek Beach.
Chapman’s Peak or ‘Chappies’, the bane of any Two Oceans Ultra-Marathon runner, is a stunning coastal walk that follows the route of the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive, with an elevation of approximately 600m.
The trail starts at the Noordhoek Beach parking area and follows a well-maintained path along the coastline, offering stunning views of the ocean and surrounding mountains.
Alternatively, the hike can be started from Houtbay on Chapmans Peak drive. You pass through the toll gate and will be issued with a free day pass. There is a small parking area at the start of the trail. It’s advisable to carpool if you are a big group.
The hike is relatively easy and should take approximately 3-4 hours to complete.
This is an out and back route. If you don’t want to return the same way, you will need to have a car parked at the end of the hike, whichever way you are doing it. You are crossing a mountain range, it’s less hassle to just walk back. It’s a lovely hike.
Go here to read my most recent experience hiking Chappies in the rain.
7. Kasteelspoort
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.5 kilometres
Start: Theresa Avenue, Camps Bay
The Kasteelspoort hike is a beautiful and iconic trail that offers some of the most stunning views of Cape Town’s coastline and mountain ranges.
It’s moderately challenging with a 900m elevation gain but worth the effort.
As you make your way up the steep ascent, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
Personally, It’s my preferred way to the top of Table Mountain, albeit from the back end.
You can then cross The Valley Of The Red Gods across the top of the Table towards the Upper Cableway Station and down Platteklip and/or take the cablecar.
8. Elephants Eye Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Distance: 8km
Start: Silvermine Nature Reserve
The Elephant’s Eye hike is a popular trail located in the Silvermine Nature Reserve.
It’s known for its magnificent views of False Bay and the surrounding mountains, as well as its unique rock formation that resembles the shape of an elephant’s eye.
The hike is takes around 2 – 3 hours to complete, depending on your fitness level and how long you stop to admire the scenery.
A small conservation fee is payable on entering the reserve.
One of the highlights of the Elephant’s Eye hike is the rock formation that gives the trail its name.
The “eye” is a distinctive cave-like formation that’s perched high on the mountainside.
The Silvermine Dam, which is located at the start of the trail, is a great place to have a picnic. For the not so adventurous, there are various trails around the dam.
9. Smitswinkelsbaai to Simonstown
Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
Distance: 10km
Start: Smitswinkelbaai
The Smitswinkelbaai to Simon’s Town trail via Swartkop peak offers stunning vistas that will leave you reeling. Just don’t reel off the side of the mountain, please.
It’s a point-to-point hike, so you will need to have a car at the end of the hike in Simonstown.
If the climb doesn’t leave you breathless, the views certainly will!
The trail boasts stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and False Bay, and you can expect to see abundant wildlife and unique flora.
Don’t be surprised if you spot a colony of penguins or a pod of dolphins on your journey.
Go here to read about my recent experience of this amazing trail.
10. Tranquility Cracks
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 12 km
The Tranquillity Cracks hiking trail is a popular route. It is a relatively challenging trail that takes you through a beautiful valley and ends at a unique geological formation known as the Tranquility Cracks.
The trailhead for the Tranquility Cracks hike is located at the top of Theresa Avenue in Camps Bay, and the hike itself takes around 4 hours to complete.
You can start the trail from Kasteelspoort or you can do the scenic route, via Corridor Ravine which will blow you away with the views of the Atlantic seaboard.
After reaching the top of the ravine, the trail descends into a beautiful valley, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and if you stand on your tippy toes, you can see Houtbay in the distance.
The Cracks themselves are a unique rock formation created by the erosion of the granite bedrock.
Hiking Tips:
Never hike alone. 4 pax is the minimum.
Always tell someone your intended route and your ETA. Get tracked by WSAR.
Have a fully charged cellphone programmed with local emergency numbers. Save this number: 021 937 0300
Carry at least 2 – 3 litres of water.
Have snacks handy.
Bring along your personal medications, a basic first aid kit and allergy meds if you are prone.
Leave expensive jewellery and valuables at home.
Always carry a warm top and rain gear, sunblock and a sunhat.
Hiking etiquette dictates that hikers going up the trail have the right of way. Please be courteous.
Do not litter. Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.