The Best Hiking Trails and Mountains in Cape Town
Hiking can be the best and cheapest way to get active outdoors.Get your blood pumping as you walk through mountains and venture through forests. Cape Town is known for its many mountains that hold some of the most wondrous views of the Mother City.
Here’s a list of the best mountains to hike and trails you can conquer this year:
Table Mountain
The great Table Mountain, people come from all corners of the earth to visit it. It is quite the attraction indeed with over 16 million tourists having gone up this mountain since 1926. This flat topped mountain is often covered with clouds that drape over the top which look like a tablecloth.
Explore the national beauty of Cape Town and hike up Table Mountain with friends or family. It’s about a 1.5- 3 hour hike if you take the quickest route and make sure you stretch cause it’s quite the steep climb. We recommend also packing a few light snacks and a jacket as the temperature drops the higher you go.
The top of Table Mountain offers a self service restaurant seating 120 people with delicious meals. They also have a Cableway Cocktail bar complimentary for watching the sunset and embracing the city view. There’s much to explore on this beautiful landmark from the flora to the history behind the cable car. Make sure to take loads of pictures once you make it up.
Lion’s Head
Lion’s Head is located next to Table Mountain and is perfect for beginners looking for a short hike. The mountain coined its name from the shape of the mountain resembling a male lion’s head. Tell us if you see the resemblance.
The path is stunning and overlooks the ocean and the magnificent city. The scenic views at the top are what tourists and locals admire most about this hike. Most begin their hike at around 5pm to catch the magical sunset overlooking well known areas like Robben Island, Camps Bay and Clifton Beach
As you hike up you’ll see many passing up and down this mountain as it’s loved by locals and tourists. There are people hiking with their children, their pets and people speaking all kinds of languages. The greatest take away I got from hiking Lion’s Head is how friendly all the hikers are. You’ll find strangers motivating you that you’re almost to the top and making sure you’re okay as you hike down.
Elephant’s Eye
Silvermine’s Elephant’s Eye is an amazing hike, it’s not so steep but it still feels like a good workout. Located in the beautiful mountains of Constantia this cave overlooks the amazing Houtbay area.
The hike expands across the Silvermine Nature Reserve and can take about 2 to 5 hours to complete. It makes up one of the many trails attracting bird watchers, mountain bikers and tourists. Make sure to bring lots of sunscreen and a hat cause this hike isn’t as windy as the Table Mountain or Lion’s Head.
As you hike, the trail will have plenty of signs and reserve guides who can assist you if you get lost. The view from Elephant’s Eye Cave is worth the journey. A great way to conclude the hike is to head down for a dip in the lake to cool down.
Entrance: R35 adults, R15 children (prices vary for foreign nationals)
Cederberg Wilderness Area
The Cederberg has a variety of stunning hiking trails and is just a 2 hour drive from Cape Town. If you’re looking for a serene and beautiful location then this is the hike for you. The hiking trails include paths with beautiful waterfalls, different plant life, wildlife as well as interesting rock structures.
A day away in Cederberg is just what you need to gain a sense of peace, calm and excitement as you enjoy the wilderness. The Cederberg Wilderness Area hosts multiple hiking routes you can choose from, depending on your fitness level and how long you’re planning to hike. There’s the Wolfberg Arch route which takes about 8 hours, the Maltese Cross 5 hours, the Waterfall trail and Uitkyk trail which take 3 hours each.
The hiking routes welcome bikers, hikers, thrill seekers and rock climbers. We’d recommend hiking in a group and carry enough food, water and health supplies on hand for these hikes. Ensure you read the hiking safety tips on their website about the hikes beforehand and that you’re well prepared.
The Cederberg Area also offers a range of other outdoor activities including quad biking, boulder climbing, canoeing and kayaking, bird watching and more. There’s so much to do and there’s something exciting to enjoy for everyone. Book online to plan your next adventure.