Table Mountain National Park
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Table Mountain is one of South Africa's most famous landmarks and a must-see for visitors to South Africa. The 1,087m (3,566ft) high granite rock dominates the city's skyline and offers a stunning view of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding landscape. Book one of the popular city tours with ascent or one of the guided hikes in advance.
By Miriam Dewam
By Miriam DewamSelect a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:
Tours
Explore the City of Good Hope with an experienced guide and marvel at Table Mountain up close!
Cape Town: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Shared Tour
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Cape Town: Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Private Day Trip
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Cape Town: Half-Day Table Mountain and City Tour
4.2
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Cape Town: 3-Hour Table Mountain Hike via Platteklip Gorge
5.0(21)
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Hop-on hop-off bus tour
Explore Cape Town on your own and stop at the most popular sights.Cape Town: Table Mountain Cable Car, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
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Hike
Discover Cape Town's breathtaking landscapes on a guided hike up Table Mountain!Table Mountain: Platteklip Gorge Hike
4.9(46)
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Table Mountain Hike with Local Tour Guide
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Cape Town: Table Mountain Hike via India Venster
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Table Mountain, Boulder's Penguins & Cape Point Private Tour
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11 tips for visiting the Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park | Photo: Unsplash, Thomas Bennie
1
Pay attention to the weatherVisiting Table Mountain is not possible in bad weather! The cable car does not operate in strong wind, and the hiking trails can be dangerous. Please note that the weather on Table Mountain can change quickly.
View over the bay | Photo: Unsplash, Patrick Foh
2
Visit Table Mountain in the morning or eveningThe chances of experiencing the mountain free of clouds and thus getting the best view are highest in the morning and evening. From here, you have a 360° view of Cape Town and can see, among other things, Lion’s Head, Robben Island, and the Cape Town Stadium.
3
Book your cable car ticket to Table Mountain in advanceThe cable car is the most comfortable way to reach Table Mountain. To avoid long waiting times, you should buy tickets online. This is especially advantageous during the peak season, when there is a high number of visitors. You can also purchase the tickets at the ticket counter Lower Station, but you may experience waiting lines here.
4
Join a guided tourTable Mountain tours are a great way to explore Cape Town and the mountain. In a small group tour, you can get to know the city highlights with a knowledgeable guide. If you don't want to venture to Table Mountain alone, you can also book a guided hike. In any case, you will learn more about the history, flora, and fauna of Table Mountain through one of these tours.
5
Use the free shuttle busThe free MyCiTi Shuttlebus takes you directly to the entrance of the Lower Cableway cable car. At the foot of Table Mountain is the bus stop Lower Tafelberg Road in Kloof Nek. The bus runs daily every 15-20 minutes from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm. Pay attention to the last departure time!
6
Take water, jacket and sun protection with youAt the plateau, it is often windy and colder than at the foot of the mountain, so it is advisable to pack a jacket. Also, you should not forget good footwear, sunscreen, and sufficient water if you plan to climb the mountain!
7
Tour on Table MountainUpon reaching the plateau of Table Mountain, three routes await you, starting at the Upper Cable Station. These include the 15-minute Dassie Walk, the 30-minute Agama Walk, and the 45-minute Klipspringer Walk. The paths are suitable for everyone and offer the opportunity to closely observe the flora and fauna of the mountain. If you want to visit all viewpoints, the Klipspringer Walk is recommended.
8
Take a breakAfter a tour, it's time to relax! Sit down in the Table Mountain Cafe and enjoy the well-deserved view. In addition to snacks, cold and hot drinks are also offered at the summit of Table Mountain.
Ascent to Table Mountain| Photo: Unsplash, Ashim D’Silva
9
Choose the right hiking trailTo the plateau of Table Mountain, there are over 300 hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to very challenging. For a normal summit ascent, one should plan for about 3 to 4 hours. As the ascent is easier than the descent, it may be worthwhile to book a One-Way-Fahrt with the cable car online in advance.
The national flower of South Africa | Photo: Unsplash, Tanya Paquet
10
Follow the nature conservation rulesSince Table Mountain is a National Park, it is even more important to adhere to essential nature conservation rules. This includes staying on marked trails, not picking plants, and not feeding animals. If you have food and drinks with you, take your trash back with you.
11
Visit Robben IslandRobben Island, a small island off the coast of Cape Town, is one of the most important historical sites of South Africa. Here, during the Apartheid, political prisoners, including the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, were incarcerated. The island is now a museum and a place of remembrance and peace. You can easily combine these sights in an afternoon.
Table Mountain | Photo: Unsplash, Janan Lagerwall
The landmark of Cape Town
The Table Mountain plateau is located at an altitude of 1,060m (3,477ft) and shapes the cityscape of Cape Town with its characteristic Tablecloth: a stunning 360° view is offered here! The highest point of Table Mountain is Maclear's Beacon, which is 1,087m (3,566ft) above sea level. Table Mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park, which has been included in the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites.Origin of the Name
The indigenous populations of South Africa, the Khoisan, consider the Table Mountain to be a sacred place. This makes it an important cultural symbol for them. Portuguese sailors discovered the mountain in 1503 and named it Taboa do Cabo. This name was later changed to “Table Mountain”.
The “Covered Table”
The moist and warm air coming from the sea ascends over the Table Mountain. Due to the altitude, the air cools down and condenses. This creates clouds that spread over the plateau of the Table Mountain like a tablecloth. This phenomenon is known as 'Tablecloth' and is particularly observable during the summer.
The cable car that leads to the summit | Photo: Unsplash, Tom Podmore
The Ascent by Cable Car
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cape Town. Since 1929, it has overcome a vertical distance of 700m (2,296ft) and takes visitors to the plateau of the Table Mountain. During the ride, the floor of the cabin rotates 360 degrees, allowing one to enjoy breathtaking views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding landscape.
The fascinating natural spectacle | Photo: Unsplash, Tim Johnson
The Table Mountain Plateau
The plateau of Table Mountain is the highest and flattest plane of the mountain. It is about 3km (1.86 miles) long and 1.5km (0.62 miles) wide and offers a wonderful view of the city of Cape Town. Once you arrive at the Upper Cable Station, you can choose one of the three plateau walks (Dassie Walk, Agama Walk, Klipspringer Walk). If you choose the Klipspringer Walk, you reach all the viewpoints with a 360° view of the city.
Biodiversity at Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a national park characterized by its variety of endemic species. This includes the King-Protea, the national flower of South Africa. The flora of Table Mountain is one of the smallest in the world with only 8,500 species, but it is unusually rich for its size. The fauna of the mountain is also known for its biodiversity, including especially antelopes, monkeys – particularly baboons, ostrich birds, zebras, as well as various species of lizards and snakes.
Hiking trails on Table Mountain
Among the more than 300 hiking trails are, for example, the Platteklip Gorge Trail, the India Venster Trail, and the Kasteelspoort Trail, which have different demands on stamina or athleticism. The fastest route taking 2 hours is via the Platteklip Gorge Trail, which consists of countless steps. However, it is also the easiest and not particularly spectacular. The most difficult route is offered by the India Venster Trail, which should only be attempted by experienced hikers and takes about 3 hours. It offers unforgettable views of the city and the ocean. The longest route is the Kasteelspoort Trail, with an ascent time of up to 5 hours and leads along the Pipe Tracks through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Table Mountain accessible for people with disabilities?
The cable car is wheelchair accessible and takes visitors to the plateau. There, some paths and viewpoints are accessible for people with disabilities. Read more.
Are there parking options?
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company encourages all visitors of Table Mountain to use Park & Ride. The free parking spaces are located at the end of Tafelberg Road. From here, you can switch to the free shuttle bus, which takes you to the cable car station. Read more.
Is it allowed to take food to Table Mountain?
It is allowed to bring food to the mountain. However, please be aware of the strict nature conservation rules. All waste must be taken back and disposed of properly. Under no circumstances may animals be fed with food leftovers or similar. Read more.
Is there a souvenir shop?
The four souvenir shops offer a variety of affordable, but also unique and high-quality products such as souvenirs, gifts, and clothing. Read more.
Are dogs allowed on the mountain?
To go for a walk with a dog in Table Mountain National Park, a My Activity permit is required, which must be applied for in advance. Please note that the dog must be kept on a leash at all times. Read more.
Can you take photos and videos in the national park?
Videos and photos may be taken for personal use during the visit. Read more.
General information
opening hours
address
Gardens
Cape Town, 8001
South Africa
how to get there
tickets
Written byMiriam DewamMiriam is keen on traveling and has a passion for photography, which she can enhance through her cross-media studies. She uses her knowledge as well as first hand experience from diverse travels to help other travellers as a content creator at TicketLens.
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