Hike Addicts
Table Mountain hike difficulty levels and Table Mountain hiking
Before a Table Mountain hike, one must know and understand the various Table Mountain hiking routes and Table Mountain hike difficulty levels. After all, you don’t want to commit to something that you will not enjoy or cannot do.
India Venster safety and difficulty
This blog discusses India Venster safety and difficulty and is written by a qualified guide from Hike Addicts. Hike addicts is a local Cape Town company that specialises in guided hikes up Table Mountain.
The fastest hike up Table Mountain
The fastest hike up Table Mountain in Cape Town is Platteklip Gorge. It takes approximately two hours to hike the Platteklip trail, which covers a distance of two plus kilometres. This Platteklip Gorge hike time or Platteklip Gorge hike duration factors in rest breaks, safety and a moderate fitness level.
While a Platteklip Gorge hike is the quickest hike up Table Mountain, it is not the best hike up Table Mountain, in my opinion. Some folks might disagree, of course. The route is pretty much the least scenic on the mountain. This is because the angle of Platteklip Gorge greatly restricts views. Hikers do still get to enjoy sights of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean, though, and the rock formations on the way up are amazing.
As hikers may expect, the fastest hike up Table Mountain is the most direct route. However, the Platteklip Gorge walking route is not only the quickest but also the steepest hiking route up Table Mountain. You do need to be fit to hike this route. Technically, Platteklip is an easy hiking route, as there isn’t any scrambling or climbing. Still, it can be challenging, especially for hiking beginners, and it is often hot and crowded.
Platteklip gorge route is a stair-like route, better described as rocks and boulders in a stair like form. It is not our favourite route, but it beats the cable car. I generally recommend a more adventurous and exciting Table Mountain hike, one where you enjoy incredible views the entire way up. India Venster or Kasteelspoort are great examples of alternate hiking routes up Table Mountain that effectively do it justice.
If you really want the fastest hike up Table Mountain and are terrified of heights, then Platteklip Gorge is your route. Otherwise, consider a Skeleton Gorge hike or a Kasteelspoort hike. The best time to hike Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge trail is early morning. There is little shelter from the sun on Platteklip Gorge. The route heats up quickly as the sun rises over and around from the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
Have a safe Platteklip hike. Know what to take with you and how to go about planning a Table Mountain hike. Be aware of your limits, and more importantly, what you are getting yourself into. If you are not fit, then you may wish to opt for the cable car or take one of the many Table Mountain hiking routes that don’t go to the top but instead go around Table Mountain. A Table Mountain guided hike is always a good idea.
Want to hike the fastest hike up Table Mountain? Perhaps try the Skeleton Gorge route or Kasteelspoort hiking trail? Check out our Table Mountain hiking tours on our website or contact Hike Addicts here.
Table Mountain hike time info for hikers
In this post, I list popular hike routes on Table Mountain and provide information on the Table Mountain hike time, distances, difficulty levels and more. Hopefully you will find this helpful.
There are many tourists that simply want to tick this adventure off their bucket list and get up Table Mountain. They want the fastest hike up Table Mountain; they want to get it done! And fair enough, any Table Mountain hiking route is better than taking the cable car (hiking fanatic alert).
Table Mountain hiking route information
There are various hikes up Table Mountain in Cape Town but how does a hiker choose the right Table Mountain hiking route? Choosing the best Table Mountain hike for you and your group can be a little tricky. This is especially true if you are not a local hiker and/or aren’t familiar with the famous mountain.
Table Mountain snakes awareness for hikers
Table Mountain is a beautiful and unique mountain in Cape Town, with dozens of adventurous Table Mountain hiking trails. And when you make the decision to hike this popular Natural Wonder of South Africa, you get to witness the incredible natural beauty on and around the massive structure. It’s truly magnificent.
Hiking Table Mountain to the Table Mountain dams
Hiking Table Mountain to the five Table Mountain dams is a wonderful experience. Yet, many people living in Cape Town don’t even know that these dams exist. They were built years ago to supply water to the region.
Hike up Table Mountain
This is a step-by-step guide on how to hike up Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. It outlines the most key factors to consider before, during and after an upcoming hike. Hopefully, you will find it useful.
There are Table Mountain hikes that don’t go to the top
Don’t let Table Mountain’s 1086-metre (3,563-foot) elevation put you off going on a Table Mountain hike. Sure, it can come across as intimidating. But Table Mountain accommodates hikers of all fitness levels and fulfils most hiking expectations. There are plenty of easy and moderate walks on and around the iconic flat-topped mountain. Several popular Table Mountain hiking tours do not go to the very top.