Regular followers of Routinely Nomadic won’t be shocked to find out that one of the things we like most about Cape Town is the terrific hiking. Whaaat? you ask. Sarcastically, I presume. Still, the point is, from easy beach strolls to treacherous mountain climbs, there are a LOT more hikes in Cape Town than you’ll find in most cities, making it easy for everyone to have a different favourite. And, as usual, we can’t help sharing ours, giving in to our almost desperate urge to share our picks for the best hikes in Cape Town. Plus, a bunch that are “very good”. And a few more that are ”quite pleasant”. Ah, you get the idea.
The fact is, Cape Town’s overall natural scenery is simply incredible – with gorgeous beaches, iconic Signal Hill, epic Lion’s Head, the majestic 12 Apostles and, of course, ultra-famous Table Mountain. As they say, great hills make for great hiking. Actually, maybe it’s just me saying that, not sure if it’ll catch on. But for a kid from the Prairies, it seems kind of obvious.
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Mind you, all those hills also mean that most Cape Town hikes involve climbing straight up the side of something, so you’re usually facing anywhere from 400 to 1,000 metres of elevation gain. No cakewalk, that’s for sure. But still quite manageable for fit hikers, and it is also possible to cobble together a few easy to moderate options if you know which trails to combine.
As you might expect – considering it is probably the one landmark I’ve mentioned that you’ve actually heard of – Table Mountain is the most famous landmark and viewpoint in Cape Town. The views from the top are stunning and many of the best hikes in Cape Town involve trudging up the side of it. And, of course, the rest are generally known for their amazing views OF Table Mountain. So it plays a pretty big role, is what I’m saying.
Of course, there is a much easier option – the busy but scenic Table Mountain cable car, which basically lets you trade 2 hours of uphill hiking for 295 rand one-way ($US17) or 450r return ($US26). Another option is to hike to the top but take the cable car down, saving wear and tear on your knees and feet. No matter what you decide, keep in mind that the top of Table Mountain is often covered in clouds, a phenomenon locals refer to as “The Tablecloth”. It can actually look quite cool sliding off the top of the cliffs, although it isn’t particularly great for taking photos from the top. So if you’re planning to head up, be sure to check the Table Mountain webcam first, or, from most parts of the city, just turn around and have a look.
Now, on to the list of the best hikes in Cape Town! Competition is fierce and you may get different answers if you ask me on different days but, not to worry, I’ve included the honourable mentions at the end as well. Happy hiking!
Also, I’ve listed the average specifications for each hike – distance, elevation gain, time – and an AllTrails link to the best GPS approximation of what I’ve described.
Best Hikes in Cape Town Map
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The 5 Best Hikes in Cape Town
Kasteelspoort to Corridor Ravine
Best All-Around Hike
8 km / 850m / 5-6 hrs
Kasteelspoort / Diving Board / Tranquility Cracks / Corridor Ravine (backward)
In our opinion, this trail offers the best combination of big views, variety and reasonable difficulty of all the great Cape Town hikes. It is spectacular, obviously, and hard but not crazy. Our recommended route sends you up the steeper part and down the more gradual one because that’s what we prefer, although you can certainly do it the other way around.
The climb up to Kasteelspoort (Castle’s Gate) goes diagonally as long as it can before finally forcing you into steep switchbacks up a shallow ravine. On the way you get a great look back at Lion’s Head and forward to the rest of the 12 Apostles.
Then at the top it’s just a short jaunt over to “the diving board”, a unique rock outcropping sticking out from the cliff atop Table Mountain that is big enough to safely take photos on but precarious enough to actually make those photos interesting.
From there, you head back to the main trail down the spine of the Apostles and head south a while, past the steep but shady Woody Ravine (also an ascent or descent option, but an inferior one, in our opinion) before venturing back toward the edge, passing through Tranquility Cracks (a jumble of volcanic rock with some narrow passages) to reach some stunning views back toward the city.
After that, you head down Corridor Ravine, which is a bit wider than most ravines on Table Mountain, allowing for more gradual switchbacks and a less steep and precarious descent. Near the bottom of the cliff the trail curves into the Pipe Track, a relatively flat trail with more great views that we will discuss in more detail a little later. This will take you back to the starting point or you can continue on for another hour to the popular intersection at the bottom of both Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.
Lion’s Head Summit
Most Popular Hike
4.5 km / 350m / 2-3 hrs (from Lion’s Head parking lot)
9 km / 600m / 3-4 hrs (from Sea Point)
Easily the most famous hike in Cape Town, tackling the iconic Lion’s Head summit is a rite of passage for active visitors. Everyday hundreds of tourists trudge and scramble their way to the top, many of them underequipped and underprepared, especially for the steep, rocky scrambling and brief set of chains, ladders and staples. But the tricky parts are fairly short and nearly everyone makes it eventually, often a little more shocked and exhausted than expected, but always fully satisfied that the incredible 360-degree views and resulting photos were worth the effort.
From the main parking lot it is a pretty straightforward journey around the base of the peak before venturing steeply up on the far side. It probably only adds about 10 minutes to loop around the other side on the way down. For those uninterested in navigating the exposed parts near the top, there are actually some really impressive views down the coast from a viewpoint about 15 gentle uphill minutes from the parking area.
If you don’t have a car or would rather avoid taking an Uber, walking all the way up from Sea Point only adds about 1.5 hours on a nicely defined trail along the side of Signal Hill. And, of course, Signal Hill itself can be added without much trouble. The official Signal Hill parking area and photo spot is underwhelming but about halfway there you’ll enjoy a great look back at both Lion’s Head and Table Mountain.
Devil’s Peak
Best Viewpoint
6 km / 600m / 3-4 hrs
This might still be my favourite viewpoint, just not my absolute favourite hike. The views from the top are magnificent in nearly every direction. It starts a few minutes drive past the Table Mountain cable car and the top offers amazing views OF Table Mountain and Lion’s Head which are much better, I think, than the views FROM Table Mountain.
You can probably tell from the specifications that the Devil’s Peak hike is pretty short and steep and it’s true, you’ll only find one small 5-minute stretch that is relatively flat. The first 45 min or so to Saddle Rock are uphill but fairly reasonable, with a wide trail and generous switchbacks. After the saddle, though, the trail goes straight up to the peak on a narrow, rough and overgrown trail that will require a lot of big stretches and occasional scrambling. Not dangerous or exposed, just tiring.
On top of that, you’ll be in the sun the whole way and on windy days Devil’s Peak is, well, windier than most. The scenery along the way and panoramic views from the top are well worth it, though.
It is also easy to add a small detour to Pulpit Rock (with views to the east side of the Cape) or combine it with the relatively flat but still scenic Contour Trail back to Kloof Corner or the cable car station for a best of both worlds experience.
India Venster to Platteklip Gorge
Toughest Challenge
6 km / 740m / 3-4 hrs
India Venster – Platteklip Gorge
This is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a serious challenge, love scrambling and bouldering or just feel like punishing yourself after a big night of painting Cape Town red. It is the toughest route up Table Mountain, steep and tricky with lots of scrambling. There are a few helpful sets of braces (staples) and chains in the worst spots but, in my opinion, not nearly as many as there should be.
The hike is exhausting and fun, but not great if you have a problem with heights, lack upper body strength and/or flexibility or have particularly short legs. Now, don’t get me wrong, those qualities won’t necessarily rule you out, you’ll just find it more difficult.
“Venster” means “window” or “window frame” in Afrikaans and refers to a small gap in the rocks just to the left soon after the start that is shaped – very vaguely – like India. I suppose. Farther on, however, climbing and crossing all these different rocky sections and outcroppings leads to some stunning viewpoints and consistently amazing views, which is why we can still recommend climbing up it. Not down, though, that would be truly terrible. There is even a sign at the top warning people not to try going down, comically understated in true South African fashion.
So definitely plan to either walk down an easier trail such as Platteklip Gorge or, even better, take the cable car down.
Oppelskop and Contour Path
Best Moderate Hike
4.5 km / 325m / 1.5-2 hrs (loop only)
6.5 km / 400m / 2-3 hrs (continuing on the Contour Path)
This one boasts a tremendous views-to-difficulty ratio, offering somewhat similar views to Devil’s Peak (similar angle, anyway) but without nearly the effort required. You can do it several ways but we prefer going up to Saddle Rock, just like the first part of the Devil’s Peak hike, but then heading off on a flat trail toward the Oppelskop (Apple’s Head) overlooking the city.
From there down to the Contour Path involves a very steep but mercifully short 10-minute descent, where you can enjoy another fairly flat section and similar views all the way back to your choice of 4 different trailheads (Devil’s Peak, Platteklip Gorge, Lower Cable Station or Kloof Corner). It took us about 3 hours starting from Devil’s Peak trailhead, doing the loop and finishing at the Lower Cable Station.
Plus, if you’d rather avoid almost all the ups and downs, you could just do an out and back along the Contour Path to just below Oppelskop, admiring it from a distance to really save energy.
Honourable Mention Cape Town Hikes
Camps Bay Beach Walk
6 km / minimal / 1.5 hrs
As you can tell from the title I’ve given it, this is more walk than hike. But still exceptionally scenic and a fascinating meander through several nice Cape Town neighbourhoods. It can be done in either direction (or both) but we preferred taking the bus to Camps Bay and walking back.
Obviously, Camps Bay is gorgeous in itself, occasionally popping up on “best beaches in the world” lists, and the best look at it comes from Maiden’s Cove on the north end. This is a popular tour stop but you can also scramble there over the rocks at the end of the beach, then continue along the shoreline through the park and swimming area to the rocky point.
After that you’ll either have to be very nimble, get wet or, the better choice, head in behind the houses to find the stairs down to Clifton Beaches. Only Clifton 1 and 2 have road access but you may want to walk to the end of 3 and 4 also just to get the full experience.
Once you’re back up on the road, the walk gets less interesting – but still pleasant – and eventually you’ll arrive at Saunders Rocks, the perfect place for a post-walk swim.
Pipe Track to Camp’s Bay
6.5 km / 200m / 2-3 hrs
We mentioned the Pipe Track earlier since it runs along the west side of Table Mountain and is easily combined with all the different ascents on that side. But it’s main claim to fame is that it is one of the very few relatively flat hikes in Cape Town. Probably because it follows a large water pipe the entire way, a connection I’m embarrassed to say took me at least an hour to make.
You can walk to Woody Ravine and back in a couple hours, or hike for about an hour and then head down to Camps Bay if you don’t have a car waiting back at the parking lot. Another option is to continue on another half-hour or so past Woody Ravine to Corridor Ravine (there is another very spectacular viewpoint about halfway between Woody and Corridor). That last bit is a bit more difficult but still nothing like most of the serious climbs involved with the other best Cape Town hikes.
Platteklip Gorge
5.5 km / 750m / 2.5-3.5 hrs
Platteklip Gorge to Upper Cable Station
Platteklip Gorge is the most popular route up to the top of Table Mountain, starting not far from the Lower Cable Station and involving a steep, exhausting set of switchbacks that eventually spit you out exactly where all those other people are casually stepping off the cable car. Satisfying, though, to have done it yourself. Or so we tell ourselves. And no matter how you get to the top, Platteklip is the best option if you want to hike down.
Kloof Corner
2 km / 175m / 1-2 hrs
It is a short climb from the bottom of Table Mountain to reach Kloof Corner, an amazing sunset spot where you can watch the sun slowly sink behind Lion’s Head. It gets dark fast after, though, so don’t linger too long and make sure you’ve got a light (I think we all do these days but it’s still worth mentioning). Or, another options, just go up and enjoy the view during the day.
An even easier sunset alternative is The Rocks, a bit of wilderness right on the edge of one of the swankiest Sea Point neighbourhoods that boasts fantastic views down the coast. People start showing up at least an hour early to grab the best spots so it’s worth taking snacks/drinks and heading up early.
Signal Hill
5 km / 150m / 1.5-2 hrs
Impossible to miss from anywhere in the city, Signal Hill would be THE major highlight in most cities, although in Cape Town it rather pales in comparison to the other big viewpoints. Also, the from the Signal Hill parking area is not the best (despite the tacky Instagram frame they have set up), that can be found about 10 minutes walk back toward Lion’s Head where you get a great look at both it and Table Mountain. Altogether, Signal Hill is still worth a visit and there are several ways to turn it into a hike.
From the Lion’s Head parking lot and back will take a couple hours and offer several interesting views. Or you can hike up from Sea Point – about 1-1.5 hours – and go back down on the north side via the Noon Guns. For that version, adding in time at the top, you’re probably looking at a 3-hour round trip.
Cape Town Hiking Summary
Well, there you have it. One man’s opinion on the best hikes in Cape Town, even if that man is already questioning the order a little bit, before he’s even completely finished the post. The point is, I’m sure you’ve noticed, there are a LOT of great hikes in Cape Town and different ones will speak to different people depending on fitness, weather, time and how oddly tired you are of seeing Lion’s Head, like, EVERYWHERE you go. Such a thirsty peak.
Anyway, we already can’t wait for our next visit to Cape Town (we will definitely be back, most likely on a regular basis) to see if these favourites still hold up or if new besties will emerge. Logic suggests the easier hikes will slowly work their way up the list over time…
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About the Author
Dean Johnston
Dean Johnston quit his job as a financial planner in 2008 to travel the world, and has now visited all 7 continents and more than 85 different countries. He wrote his first blog entry in a sweltering internet cafe in Bali in 2000 and has been writing about their travels ever since, including publishing 3 travel books.
As Routinely Nomadic, Dean remains focused on providing informative travel guides, entertaining stories and useful social media content to readers from all over the world.