Guided Mountaineering Adventures

TABLE MOUNTAIN HIKES and SCRAMBLES
Maclear’s Beacon – 1086m – The highest point on Table Mountain

By far the most famous land-mark in South Africa, the imposing profile of Table Mountain rises out majestically high above the Mother City. If you have an adventurous soul you cannot help but be tempted to go play on her flanks, explore her ravines or climb to her summit.
 
Table Mountain has many beautiful footpaths and exciting scrambling routes to explore; and with one of our highly qualified mountain guides you can be assured of an excellent and safe adventure. We offer half-day and full-day programs on Table Mountain and the surrounding peaks like Lion’s Head and Devils Peak or further along the Peninsula Mountains from Silvermine to Cape Point.

RATES 2011

Venture Forth Guides

 
All our guides are qualified and experienced Mountain Guides, registered with all the relevant authorities. They have a vast knowledge on the South African mountains, the history and the surrounding areas. All have been trained in first-aid and emergency procedures to ensure your safety at all times while in our care.

What is Scrambling?
 
Scrambling refers to very easy rock climbing and/or boulder hopping needed to negotiate an obstacle. On scrambling routes you can expect to have to use your hands to hold onto the rock and you may have to cross more difficult and exposed terrain. Our guides will always assist you on these parts of the route and may even rope you up for some of the climbing to ensure your safety. Following a scrambling route is an exiting and fun way of getting up the mountain and seeing the lesser known parts, away from the main tourist routes.
 

Who can join a hike or scramble?

 
Any reasonably healthy and fit person is welcome. You do not have to be a marathon runner or even a regular hiker! Our guides set an acceptable pace that suits the group and the terrain. Because of the proximity of the mountain to the City we are seldom pressed for time and we allow generous opportunity to relax and enjoy nature.

What must I bring?

 
You need good walking shoes or boots, a warm & waterproof jacket, sun protection, at least 2 litres of water and some snacks or lunch on the full-day options. You also need a small backpack to carry it all in and we recommend you bring your camera! If you will be using the Cable Car as part of your hike you need to bring money for the ticket and the guide’s ticket gets split by the group.
 
You can arrange a backpack from us before the hike if you do not have one and we can provide packed picnic lunches if required.
 

View across the City from Table Mountain
 

Recommended Routes

The following Table Mountain hikes and scrambles are recommended based on previous client’s comments and popularity. Table Mountain, however, offers numerous route options – far too many to list – so if none of these routes appeal to you please contact us so that we can offer further suggestions.
 

India-Venster Path (City Side; “B”-grade)
 
This excellent route offers an exciting and lesser-used alternative to the Platteklip Gorge route on the City side of Table Mountain. Departing from near the lower Cable Way station the route follows a good quality footpath with some exciting, but easy rock scrambling sections. The route stays on the City side of the mountain up to Fountain Ledge, where it makes a sharp turn to traverse around to the Camp’s Bay side of the mountain and then up to the Table Top. The route offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Coast, Robben Island, City, Camp’s Bay and Twelve Apostles Peaks. Allow 2 – 3 hours for the hike from the start to the upper Cable Station.
 
Hikers choosing a half-day option take the Cable Car back down. The route can also be combined with other routes to create a full-day option. Options include exploring the Back Table and viewing the historical water reservoirs or walking across to Maclear’s Beacon (highest point on the mountain, 1086m) and descending to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
 
Kloof Corner Ridge (City Side; “C”-grade)
 
One of Table Mountain’s most exciting scramble routes; Kloof Corner Ridge follows the exciting knife edge between the City and Camp’s Bay sides of the mountain. The route follows a footpath for most of the way with number of challenging and exposed scrambling sections and the awesome “11-inch chimney” that has to be negotiated. The route offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Coast, Robben Island, City, Camp’s Bay and Twelve Apostles Peaks. Allow 3 – 4 hours from the start of the route to the upper Cable Way station.
 
Hikers choosing a half-day option take the Cable Car back down. The route can also be combined with other routes to create a full-day option. Options include exploring the Back Table and viewing the historical water reservoirs or walking across to Maclear’s Beacon (highest point on the mountain, 1086m) and descending to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
 
 
Skelton Gorge (Suburban Side; “A”-grade)
 
Departing from internationally famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens this route follows a magical forest gorge up to the Back Table and the historical reservoirs. As an excellent half-day option this route can be combined with a return hike down Nursery Ravine or, for full-day options, with a hike to Maclear’s Beacon and to the upper Cable Way station with a cable car descent.