A visit to Cape Town wouldn’t be complete without a trip up to Table Mountain. Whether you’re just on a short getaway to Cape Town or on a wider overland Africa trip, make sure to add Table Mountain to your list. Table Mountain is Cape Town’s number one attraction; boasting panoramic views of the city, lion’s head, and the never-ending deep-navy ocean. Here’s all the essential information about Table Mountain that you need to know before you pay a visit.
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Information about Table Mountain
Table Mountain derives its name from its unusual flat-top shape. It is one of just 12 flat-top mountains around the world. Cape Town’s top attraction, standing at over 3,500 feet tall, is thought to be over 600 million years old. In 1929 the cable car system was brought to the mountain to make easy access for visitors. Today, the cable car is a popular alternative to reach the top, in comparison to the strenuous and steep rocky hike.
Once visitors reach the top, they are greeted with a 2-mile leisurely walk from one end of the mountain to the other. On this leisurely walk, visitors can see the stunning Atlantic Ocean and vibrant Cape Town city. Lion’s Head and Signal Hill are in view too. As you stroll around, make sure to look out for the distinct range of plants and wildlife that inhabit the mountaintop. Table Mountain is home to over 2,000 species of flora.
In December of 2012, Table Mountain was announced as one of the official 7 Wonder of Nature. It is the only one on the list in urban surroundings.
The Legend of the table cloth
Devil’s Peak gets its name from the local folk tale. It goes like this. A Dutchman, called Jan Van Hunks, lived at the foot of Devil’s Peak and loved to smoke a pipe. So much so, his wife would regularly expel him from the home because of the amount of smoke he would generate throughout the house. He would then climb the mountain and smoke by himself.
One day, on the peak of Table Mountain, he encountered a mysterious cloaked man smoking a pipe. They each bragged about how much they could smoke, which quickly turned into a pipe-smoking contest. Puff after puff, the men created clouds of smoke surrounding the tip of the mountain. Eventually, the smoke was so thick that Jan Van Hunks could no longer see the mysterious man in front of him.
By the time the smoke dissipated, the mysterious man was lying unconscious. The hood from his cloak was removed, revealing 2 horns on his head. It was then Jan Van Hunks realised he had defeated the devil himself. Legend has it, that when a thick cloth of smoke covers the mountain (known as the tablecloth), the devil is practising his pipe-smoking techniques, eagerly awaiting a rematch with Jan Van Hunks.
How to get to Table Mountain
There are several ways to reach Table Mountain. As it’s one of the top attractions in Cape Town, along with Cape Point & Boulders Beach, there is no shortage of transport and tours that are running daily to the attraction.
Public bus & free shuttle – You can take the MyCiti bus that runs from the V&A Waterfront and stops at the top of Klood Nek Road. From there you can hop onto the free shuttle that will take you to the lower cable car station. The free shuttle service stops running at 7 pm.
City Sightseeing bus – The City Sightseeing bus offers routes that include a stop at Table Mountain. If you have purchased a hop-on hop-off pass, make sure to use it to get there. This will save you money on a tour. Day passes for the City Sightseeing bus start at 220 Rand ($11.87).
Taxi – Sometimes it is just easier and quicker to hop into a taxi. If you choose to take a taxi, we recommend ordering an Uber. Uber is safe, reliable, and you know how much it will cost before getting into the car. We opted for an Uber from 91Loop Hostel and it cost just 55 Rand ($2.97) to the lower cable car station.
Entrance cost to Table Mountain
Hiking up Table Mountain is FREE, but you will need a good level of fitness and stamina for the hike. The most popular and direct hike route is the Platteklip Gorge Path. This route should take around 2 hours to reach the top.
If a hike isn’t for you, like it wasn’t for us, then you can simply save yourself some leg-ache and emotional drain of the steep hike by taking the cable car up within 5 minutes. You can opt to buy tickets for the cable car online on the official Table Mountain website or buy your tickets at the ticket counter. During peak season, it may be better to buy your tickets in advance to avoid the crowds, but we went in June (winter) and there were only a few people in line to buy tickets.
Ticket prices include amenities that are available at the upper cable car station; a free guided walking tour, an audio tour, and free Wi-Fi access at the lounge and cafe.
Table Mountain cable car
After purchasing your tickets, you will need to go through the turnstile where a member of staff will scan your ticket. You will then simply need to wait for up to 10 minutes for the next car to arrive. There are no seats in the cable car, so be prepared to stand and be squished by the herds that are rushing to rub their nose up against the windows for the views. No need to worry though, if you’re not one of the select few to get a window view in the circular car, the views are better at the top anyway, and the ride only takes 5 minutes before reaching the top.
Other tips and information about Table Mountain
Check for updates on the official site
Before making the trip to Table Mountain make sure to check for any updates on the official website. The running of the cable car is weather permitting. If it’s too windy or cloudy, the cable car will not be in operation.
Choose a clear day
The whole point of going to Table Mountain is for the breathtaking views once you reach the top. Make sure to choose a clear day, there is no point in going if all you can see are thick dark clouds.
Decide if you want to go in the morning or afternoon
The cable car ticket only permits one ride up and one ride down. Unfortunately, this leaves visitors with the choice of admiring the sunrise over the city or watching as the skies turn pink during sunset. We opted to go in the morning, as there were no clouds and we didn’t want to risk clouds rolling in later in the afternoon.
Wrap up in winter
Wintertime at the top of Table Mountain is FREEZING! You must know what to pack for a trip to South Africa. It may feel like the sun is beating lightly down on you when you are on the ground, but once you get up there, expect to feel like your fingers and toes have got frostbite. We truly wish we had a pair of gloves and a hat. We would have spent much longer up there if we had.
Get creative with photos but remember safety first
There are tons of lookouts and photo opportunities. However, remember that nothing is more important than your safety; not even a cool selfie! We saw way too many people standing close to the edge, and one big gust of wind could’ve been the difference between life and death.
Don’t forget water if you’re hiking
If you choose to hike up the mountain, make sure to bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration. There are no shops or cafes along the way. Once you start the hike, the next chance you will have to replenish will be at the cafe located at the top of the mountain.
Want more mountain mania? Check out the mystical Tianmen Mountain in China!
Where to stay in Cape Town
91 Loop Boutique Hostel – The city has tons of hotels and hostels for everyone’s needs, but 91 Loop has to be the best place to stay in Cape Town. They offer all types of rooms; dorms, male dorms, female dorms, and private rooms. They even offer pod-style dorms that make for the perfect mix between a social environment and a private space. They also have a bar and games area downstairs too, meaning you never need to leave the hostel if you don’t want to.
Essential resources for travelling in South Africa
Travel Insurance – No matter where you’re travelling to, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re covered for any accidents or losses. We spent days and weeks searching for insurance, but most insurers would not allow us to take out a policy as we were already abroad. Our personal choice is Safteywing. You can opt for automatic monthly payments, just like a subscription. More importantly, it is available in 180 countries and can be purchased whilst already travelling. There is no cap on the duration of travel.
Visa – Before you travel to any country, make sure to check if you need a visa. iVisa is a fantastic website that is super easy and quick to use. Just type in where you are from. and where you are going. to check if you need a visa. If you do, you can quickly make an application online.
Accommodation – Booking.com is our go-to when looking to pre-book accommodation online. Booking.com tend to almost always have the best rates and a FREE cancellation policy for most properties.
Tours & Activities – If you want to book tours and activities online, make sure to check out Get Your Guide. Get Your Guide takes the stress out of booking activities abroad. You will also find a range of benefits, such as skip-the-line passes, lunch included in your tours, and so much more.
Travel tips ebook -Before you head off on your adventure, make sure to download our free ebook. It has a whopping 109 budget travel tips to help you make your hard-earned cash go further. Click here to download your FREE ebook.
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