Table Mountain in Cape Town

Table Mountain – also known locally as Tafelberg – is one of Cape Town’s most amazing sights, offering an incredible nature experience close to the city.

You have ample of opportunity to see the mountain standing tall and providing a beautiful backdrop to the city from most of Cape Town.

Read more about stunning Table Mountain below.

What is Table Mountain?

The more than 1,000-metre-high Table Mountain is synonymous with Cape Town.

Situated behind Cape Town, the mountain stands protectively between the city and the rest of the massive continent. In fact, Table Mountain is so special to the South African metropolis that it is depicted on the city flag.

Table Mountain is very iconic. To the west of the mountain, you can see its 669-metre-high neighbour Lion’s Head, which is popular with climbers and paragliders. On the east side of Table Mountain is Devil’s Peak. In the middle is the 3-kilometre-wide plateau from which Table Mountain gets its name.

Table Mountain is an attractive destination not to be missed on a tour to Cape Town.

Table Mountain’s impressive vantage points

From the top of Table Mountain, you will enjoy a picturesque panoramic view of Cape Town and the Atlantic coast. On a clear day, you can even see all the way to Robben Island, the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 13 years.

When it’s overcast, the top of the mountain is covered by soft cloud. According to the locals, this is its tablecloth. And while the clouds do rather block the view, it is a spectacular phenomenon to experience.

The top of Table Mountain is not the only place that you will find stunning views.

Explore one of Table Mountain’s largest caves, Woodstock Caves. The cave is a whopping 50 metres wide and 15 metres deep! You can look across to Table Mountain’s neighbour, Lion’s Head, from the cave. You will also enjoy a scenic and panoramic view from here.

If you climb to the top of Devil’s Peak, the mountain top next to Table Mountain, you will enjoy an admirable view of Table Mountain.

The unique nature of Table Mountain

In addition to its impressive views, Table Mountain also offers rich biodiversity. The mountain is home to some 2,200 plant species and 1,400 flower species – many of which are found only at Table Mountain.

On both Table Mountain and the area around it, the Fynbos plant species grows in abundance, forming a beautiful mosaic of scrub and shrubs.

As you explore the nature of Table Mountain, you will also encounter beautiful orchids, rare irises and colourful flowers of the Oxalis genus which help to adorn your overall experience of the breathtaking mountain.

How can you experience Table Mountain?

There are two ways of getting to the top of Table Mountain: you can take the cable car or you can hike.

By cable car to the top

The cable car takes you to the top of the mountain in about five minutes.

The first cable car was inaugurated in 1929, and the cableway has been used extensively ever since. Every year, the cable car transports more than 900,000 visitors to the top of the mountain.

A cable car can carry 65 passengers at a time. Inside the car itself, there are windows and a rotating floor, guaranteeing that you enjoy a beautiful view of the countryside.
You should, however, be aware that the cable car closes in bad weather.

Hiking to the top

If you want to experience Table Mountain on foot, there are several hiking routes that take you to the mountain’s flat top or to other mountain views. Many of the routes are steep and require you to be relatively fit.

Depending on your level of fitness and the route you choose, you should expect it to take around 1.5–3 hours for you to get to the top. Don’t be put off by the challenge of choosing to trek to the top. On the way, you can experience the mountain’s characteristic vegetation, and you are pretty much guaranteed a feeling of victory when you reach the top.

It may be a good idea to hike as group and always check the weather forecast before leaving.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller