The Iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town

Table Mountain is the considerable backdrop to the South African city of Cape Town. From the top of Table Mountain you have a fantastic view across the city, and by exploring the mountain once you are up there, you will be able to see the surrounding areas as well.

There are two ways to scale the heights of Table Mountain. One is by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and the other is the more traditional way of hiking.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway was originally built in 1929 and carries 800,000 passengers a year. It takes approximately ten minutes to reach the top. The views whilst you are in the cable car are superb as the floor of the cable cars rotates 360 degrees.

Alternatively, stretch your legs with a two to three hour hike up the mountain. You should always check on the weather conditions and forecast before setting out. Also, make sure you have a map and plenty of supplies to keep you hydrated and energised during the hike. The most popular route to scale the mountain is through a gorge known as Platteklip Gorge. Platteklip means flat stone in Afrikaans, however, the route is anything but flat. The hike has stone steps and is akin to using a stairmaster at the gym. Nevertheless, it is a wholly rewarding experience with spectacular views and the chance to catch a glimpse of some of Table Mountain’s unique flora and fauna.

Interestingly, Table Mountain has an incredibly diverse range of flora and is quite famous for this reason. With over 1500 species of plants on the mountain, you are certain to enjoy what is classed as the single richest floristic area in the world.

The fauna on Table Mountain is also rather diverse with a little-known creature called the dassie being one of the most abundant animals. Dassies look like rabbits; however, their closest genetic relative is an elephant! You may also see porcupines, snakes and mongooses in your travels atop Table Mountain.

Besides the hike up the mountain, the best way to see the views, flora and fauna is to take a walk once you are on top. There are three treks of varying difficulty that will allow you to see 360 degree views that include Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, Table Bay, Robben Island and the Cape Flats.

If you are planning your trip from the moment you arrive from your flights to Cape Town, then it is important to remember that the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and the starting point for the Platteklip Gorge hike are about half an hour from the city centre; easily accessible by car, bus, taxi or tour bus. What’s more, as a major city there are plenty of accommodation options in Cape Town to suit every budget, which is good to know considering the current economic climate.

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