The Best hike up Table Mountain
The best hike up Table Mountain is India Venster. At the very least, it is one of the best Table Mountain hikes in Cape Town. The route takes approximately three hours to complete, covering a distance of close to three kilometres. This factors in rest breaks, an average fitness level and India Venster safety.
Saying that India Venster is the best way to hike Table Mountain is really my personal opinion. However, there are many hikers who agree with me. Trust me, it is not an easy choice. Every Table Mountain hike is incredible and the routes are quite unique in many ways. Ultimately, the preference probably boils down to an individual’s expectations and abilities. So, the best hike for me may not be the best one for you.
Cape Town’s best hike up Table Mountain
I believe that India Venster is the best way to hike Table Mountain for several reasons. For one, it is a good all-round hike. It’s exciting, it’s not too long and the views on this route are out of this world. Hikers are exposed to remarkably beautiful scenery throughout the hike. Then, you also get to ride the cable car down the mountain afterwards if you want to, which is always a major plus for me personally.
The India Venster hiking route up Table Mountain is famous for its scrambling sections, which infuse adventure into the hike. This puts some people off but is a lot of fun. That is, if you have a head for heights! There are various scrambling sections on India Venster but you don’t scramble the entire way. You hike up and scramble over sections occasionally. There are staple and chain installations in the rocks to assist hikers.
More India Venster hike route information
My best hike up Table Mountain starts on the northern slopes overlooking the city of Cape Town. Just before the summit, you cross over to the western slopes. This is probably my favourite part of the India Venster hike, as it feels like you’ve crossed into another world. From here onwards, the shadier western slopes present a different variety of flora, with streamlets and a slightly wetter terrain. The views then transform as you leave the city side of Table Mountain and gaze over the Twelve Apostles and prestigious Atlantic Seaboard.
India Venster Table Mountain is a half-day hike. It can be done in as little as a couple of hours but rushing it is not advisable. There are spectacular view points and fantastic photography locations on the route, so go slow and take it all in. After all, you want to get as much as possibly can out of the hiking experience.
Other Table Mountain hiking routes
Is India Venster the best hike up Table Mountain? I would say so. However, it is not the easiest Table Mountain hike. Moreover, if you’re not a big fan of heights, then I recommend looking into other Table Mountain hiking routes. Kasteelspoort, for example, is another Table Mountain route with unbelievable scenery and mind-blowing views. You also have Skeleton Gorge, which offers an awesome hike on Table Mountain. This route is a bit different in that you hike through indigenous forest up the eastern side of the mountain range.
There are many routes up Table Mountain that offer fantastic hiking experiences. Some are rather challenging. Others, not so much. All the routes and trails offer something special, though. As mentioned, the one that is right for you depends on your expectations and abilities (i.e., fitness level, experience and skill).
Interested in hiking Table Mountain? Book one of our guided hiking tours through our website now or contact our Cape Town hiking company for advice on the best hike up Table Mountain for you.
