Platteklip Gorge Starting Point image

Platteklip Gorge Starting Point

Tourist attraction Hiking area

👍👍 One of South Africa’s most done routes (with Lion’s Head as its competitor). I suggest that this 7 wonder route be a bucket list route. Some people start early and they run it up and down before sunrise. However, I believe that if you take it nice and slow, even an unfit person can enjoy this scenic... People often mention hike, water, cable, mountain, time, route, start, hours, trail, worth,


Address

Tafelberg Rd, Table Mountain (Nature Reserve), Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Contact

+27 76 381 9710

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1.3K reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours
  • Monday: Open 24 hours

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: hike (24) water (19) cable (14) mountain (14) time (12) route (10) start (10) hours (10) trail (8) worth (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Bernadette B. 1 year ago on Google
    One of South Africa’s most done routes (with Lion’s Head as its competitor). I suggest that this 7 wonder route be a bucket list route. Some people start early and they run it up and down before sunrise. However, I believe that if you take it nice and slow, even an unfit person can enjoy this scenic route. Try to start just before sunrise and be aware that it starts with steps while your muscles haven’t had time to warm up so it is only natural to find it difficult in the beginning. Do not give up. Rather rest or walk slow but the walk is definitely worth it! We enjoyed coffee at the cafe by the Cable car. I walked 7km in totals (up and down).
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Johan R. 1 year ago on Google
    It is always great climbing Table Mountain. Platteklip is busy but a quick and easy route. Make sure you start early, it can get very hot. If you start late make sure you carry some water. Enjoy.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aranganathan S. 3 months ago on Google • 452 reviews New
    I had taken this trail from cable car starting point via India Venster and finished at platteklie gorge starting point. In Afrikaans language India venster means India window. A view looks like India, so they named like India vester(window). Platteklip gorge means in Afrikaans language is flat stone George. If you start from Platteklip starting point then you can manage walking up on better flat steps but if you start from cable car starting point then it will be tough because it has steep mountain. You must climb with a guide if you start from cable car starting point otherwise you will get lost. Never hike alone because you will lost way or criminals might approach and rob you if you don’t give phone or wallet then they won’t hesitate to kill. There is micro climate here , it means the climate changes suddenly to hot to cold or cold to hot. Guide charge around 1350 rands but very much worth and safe because guides guide 6+ other hikers. The view is stunning. If you are scared of heights never look back while climbing. Just one step at a time and look your path. I didn’t see any snakes but snakes are in mountain. Take at least 1 litre of water. Drink water regularly, take rest every now and then.

  • 5/5 Stefan W. 2 years ago on Google
    Great hike up to the top of table mountain. It is a bit steep at some point but completely fine for beginners. Definitely bring water, layers of clothes and watch the weather as it changes quickly!. Keep an eye out for mountain goats too
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paul van S. 2 years ago on Google
    This hike is probably one of the most iconic hikes for anyone visiting Cape Town. If you are Capetonian you should have done this as initiation. The hike offers fantastic views of cape town and table bay. It is slightly challenging and caution is advised. Howrver, if you take it slow anyone can do it. Take water and snacks and always something warm for the top it is always cold even in the summer.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peter 3 months ago on Google • 287 reviews New
    Very safe and popular hike - takes about 2 hours to the top, you'll meet friendly people from all around the world on the way. You might need to hike up the road to get to the starting point (depending on where you found a parking spot), but it shouldn't be too bad, and if you're taking the cable car down, then it can save you the road hike on the way back.

  • 5/5 Rick R. 11 months ago on Google
    One of the best hikes I have done. Yes it was difficult and I almost gave up, but kept going. You will be rewarded with some of the most stunning scenery Table Mountain has to offer. Check the weather, carry food, water and be sure to have enough time at hand. This should not be rushed. You have the option of taking the cable car down.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexandra de S. 1 year ago on Google
    What an incredible hike! Despite being quite challenging, the Platteklip hike is an absolutely beautiful one. The views are unbeatable and truly worth the long trek up the mountain. I encourage you to go prepared - the weather is very unpredictable and the terrain is rough in some places. Bring layers (yes, even in summer!), sunscreen, water, and wear good walking shoes.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jerome F. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing experience hiking here. The trail is well maintained. Pictures does not do it justice. Must experience in person. Go prepared.... Enough water, snacks, sandwiches, comfortable shoes with good grip, sunblock, hat. Also check weather before taking the trip.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gustav E. 2 years ago on Google
    Cool hike up the mountain. Be sure to start early though. Best to stay out of the sun and heat. Fairly strenuous, definitely not if you're unfit. Take care to bring water. Depending on fitness, plan for at least a 90 min hike. Oh yes, the coffee cart at the start of the trail serves fantastic coffees and snacks too!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Adelene T. 6 months ago on Google • 39 reviews
    Hiked down after coming up via skeleton gorge. Lots of steps & beautiful views. Will hike up next time. 1.5hours from top to bottom. Note: Check the weather before you go. Cable car was closed so we had to use this route to get back down the mountain.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark van R. 2 years ago on Google
    As a relatively unfit 60 year old, I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew with this climb. It was a challenge but I managed it, in my opinion a stern challenge and not easy but the paths are clearly marked and many friendly people use this route. Regular rest stops and some snacks with lots of water is recommended, also in summer, do it early. We started at 06h30 and were climbing in the shade for the first 90 minutes, it gets really hot in the sun after that. The climb took me 2 hours and 35 minutes and was worth the struggle...once you get on top all the heavy breathing and climbing is forgotten. I went down in the cable car but I can tell you my friend who went up with me also took this route down and paid the price for days afterwards...the down route is hell on your legs and takes a lot of mental strength and focus...it is definitely only for the fit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Francois D. 10 months ago on Google
    An awesome hike for beginners and the more advanced which takes you to the top if Table Mountain, about 5min from the cable station. Stunning views overlooking the city and if there has been rain you might get some streams if refreshing mountain water you can drink from. A must do and well worth the challenging and in some cases trying climb to the top but you will be glad you did when you get there. I would say depending on fitness level anywhere from about 1h30 if you very fit to about 2h30pm. 1 step at a time You got this
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sam L. 5 months ago on Google • 59 reviews
    I had three hours to get up and down and to the airport. I was able to park right at the base/trail head. Took 50 minutes to the top and then another ten minutes to the cable car station and coffee shop on top, a quick coffee, and then down - all in 2 and a half hours. Left at 8:30am on a Sunday and was back down by 11am. I did go fast though....and the mountain was shrouded in mist so no view!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tony S. 2 months ago on Google • 111 reviews New
    A faily steep climb to the top taking 1hr45 to 2hr 30 min to get to top. Can either walk down or cable car back to car park

  • 5/5 David G. 2 months ago on Google • 98 reviews New
    Gorgeous hike, there’s a cafe around here but it was closed when I came down Trail is basically straight up. Short but challenging. Skeleton gorge track was longer but a little more interesting. Platteklip was nice to decend

  • 4/5 Stephanie W. 3 months ago on Google • 6 reviews New
    Essentially an hour of straight up hiking. Stepping on large rocks the whole way up. Take water and have breaks! When you get to the top, walk around and there’s a coffee shop. I recommend taking the cable car down - there’s a “fast track” ticket which is about 500 Rand (buy at ticket office near cable car entrance) but saves you an hour of waiting in line. Essentially no wait with fast track ticket. Otherwise hiking down will probably take about 2 hours
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Frans W. 1 year ago on Google
    The easiest of the hikes to the top of Table Mountain, which does not mean that it is an easy hike. It is one giant staircase. Start early, bring enough water and wear good hiking shoes. Do not underestimate this one. But…….it is beautiful and and well worth the climb. You will be rewarded!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lesley W. 2 years ago on Google
    Wow what a great experience to have gone outdoors of one of the 7 wonders of the world. Hiking up Table Mountain really has it challenges for the average person but the view is just so spectacular that it's not one to miss. Truly a once in a life time thing to do which doesn't cost anything.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abigail K. 8 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Amazing hike! Very steep all the way up to table mountain but took me about an hour and a half to summit. I don’t recommend if you have knee problems or if it’s raining as it does get very slippery up there and coming down the same way can be difficult. But amazing views at the top and if the cable car is running you can hike up and then take the car down. Lots of parking at the base if you get there early.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dwain E. 1 year ago on Google
    Parking is well laid out and convenient for accessing the trail head. Lovely views of the city bowl and Table Bay. The hike up is steep and will take an average of 1.5 hours up. If you're fit and use to going up very steep climbs you could do this in 4min.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chantelle A. 2 years ago on Google
    I contemplated a lower rating because I almost coughed up a lung, but one does not blame nature for one's own lack of fitness. Well maintained route, challenging if your level of fitness is low or if you're a smoker (or short). Or if you're an unfit, short, smoker like me. But if I could do it, so can you, so don't let the horror tales in some ratings scare you. Beautiful views on the way up. Don't do this late in the day in hot weather. Just don't. And yes, anything after 9 is late, because if you are less fit than you think, it'll take anything up to 2.5 hours to complete with sufficient stops to reinstall your lung. The broader rock surfaces may be more slippery than they appear so make good choices (in footwear and in footholds). Carry enough water, know that if you've been silly and left it too late in the day, your water will be hot halfway up, and wear a hat. Oh, and remember the cut-off time for your cable car ticket for your descent - your lungs and gluten will thank you. I'll be doing it again often. PS: only one snake spotted.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Viết Trụ V. 2 months ago on Google • 48 reviews New
    The shortest way to hike up to the table mountain. Be well prepared and bringe enough water cuz it s a HARDCORE one cuz lots of stone and under the strong heat 🥹🥹

  • 5/5 Björn G. 2 months ago on Google • 23 reviews New
    Up: nice hike / walk - stone steps still okaish easy to take. Attention1: long time no shade - heat is captured in the „canyon“ Attention2: bring enough water Down: pay attention - neither dry nor wet not that easy in the upper part to find always grip under your soles. As a sporty - well trained couple - it took us 1,15 hrs up. Moderate speed - at least 2 hours needed. Enjoy!

  • 5/5 Craig L. 5 months ago on Google
    Well I took the cable car up and walked down and I'm glad i did, lots of people were walking up so it's manageable, just one step at a time and you will make it.

  • 5/5 Queendol K. 5 months ago on Google
    The instructor was very informative, told us exactly what to do, before we could start our hike. The hike in itself was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

  • 5/5 David M. 4 months ago on Google
    This paragraph provides some tips for hiking this trail, which I have done many times. The best time to hike is before the sun becomes too intense, especially from September to February, when it is spring or summer. The trail is on the east side of the mountain, so it gets a lot of sunlight from morning to late afternoon. It is advisable to pack light and bring only essential items, such as a 750ml water bottle, an energy drink and a sweet snack for extra energy. There is water taps at the top and a restaurant, but it is quite pricey. Therefore, it is better to bring your own supplies if you want to save money. Lastly, please do not leave any trash behind. Take everything with you and dispose of it properly.

  • 5/5 Sean M. 1 year ago on Google
    If u wanna hike table mountain but u dont have a lot of time on you hands but willing to put extra feet work this is you trail.. max 2 hours going up, the fastest route up table mountain as it is continuous steps up.. very worth it..i enjoy it every time


Call +27 76 381 9710 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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