Hike Addicts - Kirstenboch Gardens Hike on Table Mountain in Cape Town

Kirstenbosch Gardens To Camps Bay

This hike takes you up the 12 Apostles, over the Back Table, and back down the enchanted forests of the eastern slopes into Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Time: 5 hours

Distance: 7 km (up and down)

Difficulty: Challenging

Terrain: Single rocky track, stone steps, ladders, scrambling sections, steep sections

Description

The hike showcases you the eastern and western slopes of the Table Mountain range. It is important to note that this hike does not take you to the flat Plateau at the top of Table Mountain or to the Cable Car station.

The hike has a mixed terrain; from steep sections to very steep sections, and a more level hike when we cross over the top. This hike is long and you need to be fit, it is by no means easy, but it’s worth the challenge if you love hiking. Due to the different weather patterns, and the exposure to the sun on each side of the mountain, strangely enough, the eastern and western slopes of the Table Mountain range are very different and provide a unique experience. Where one side is exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day and displays a small shrub-like the variety of Table Mountain’s fynbos. The other side is more shaded and is home to incredible indigenous forests.

We begin our hike on the ever so famous Pipe Track along the foot of the western side of the mountain in Camps Bay before we head up one of the most beautiful routes of the 12 Apostles, Kasteelspoort. This side of the mountain displays a huge variety of flora and the views over the Atlantic coast are nothing short of magnificent.

Once we reach the top, it’s time to do a little exploring as we wander through the beautiful landscapes of the Back Table. Here, you will find the remains of what was once a small village built in 1890 to construct the surrounding reservoirs, a beautiful sight. This is a peaceful and tranquil part of the mountain where you will only hear the sounds of nature and often, not a person in sight.

Once we cross over to the other side, we will start our descent down either Skeleton Gorge or Nursery Ravine. Here, you will meet another side of the mountain and be introduced to a completely new experience. As we hike down the amazing lush green forests of the eastern slopes of the Table Mountain range into Kirstenbosch Gardens. These slopes are steep, filled with flora and mostly shaded by the big beautiful trees that surround us.

Best Time To Hike

The 12 Apostle routes are shaded in the mornings and receive direct sunlight throughout the day. So, hiking early in the morning is the time of choice during the hot summer months. Later our decent will be shaded, ideal for summer hiking.

From Our Hiking Adventures

Take a look at photos from our previous guided hikes up Table Mountain to Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Itinerary

Start

We start our hikes at 06:30 – 07:00 am.
Our guide will be waiting at the meeting point for you.

Finish

The hike takes about 6 hours to complete.
Time spent in Kirstenbosch Gardens after the hike is up to you.

Meeting and Parking

We will meet at the Pipe Track entrance in Theresa Ave, Camps Bay.
There is parking alongside the road, but remember that we will finish the hike at Kirstenbosch Gardens.