Explore hidden caves, colourful valleys, vast dams, fascinating history, enchanted forests and much more on top of Table Mountain.
There exists an incredible wealth of history and stories on the Back Table that most people aren't aware of. The construction of the five dams on top of Table Mountain is displayed in a small museum. The ruins of the original ropeway to bring the heavy tools to the top, the tracks of the steam locomotive and many other relics from over a hundred years ago when the dams were built. These are all waiting to be discovered while meandering through pristine and diverse Fynbos with spectacular panoramic views. It's truly a Mountain in the Sea as the Khoi had named it, Hoerikwagga.
The Back Table was back then, around the 1880s, a lively and productive village, inhabited by many workers and even convicts. Massive blocks of rock carved out one by one to build dams to catch drinking water to supply Cape Town, 3% of which is still used today in the city center. The Pipe Track is a route that follows this pipe from deep within the mountain via a specially built 640-meter tunnel, the entrance as shown in the pic. What a feat of engineering back in the day.
The paths of the Top and Back Table criss-cross and connect at various points, offering many circular routes and duration options. Most of the routes are undulating or hilly, and not super steep or rugged, which opens up this hiking to all levels of fitness with a more gentle introduction to rocky paths than a full ascent of Table Mountain. The cable car offers quick up and down trips to save that time and enjoy hiking on the top of the mountain, if preferred. One of the summit hikes is also very rewarding of course!
For locals, there is an annual cable car ticket available to enjoy regular easier walks around the Top and Back Table, getting to know the circular route options without the strenuous effort of the full climb each time.
Hiking routes to the top cable car station:
At a comfortable pace, Platteklip Gorge would take about two hours to the cable car station. It’s one of the steepest, quickest routes up, zig-zagging and mostly made up of huge flat rocks to make a rugged stair-like climb, using only your legs. Really incredible views over the city and Robben Island all the way up, with a narrowing next to sheer cliffs near the top.
There are other Front Table routes that involve 2-3 short 8m scrambling sections, such as the popular India Venster route. This requires a head for heights. There are big, solid staples and chains that help a lot in those short sections. It’s an exhilirating type of hike with a varied feel of using your arms, mind and legs.
Other very scenic routes are options from the Camps Bay side, with spectacular rugged coastline views and an off-the-beaten path feel and full fynbos immersion. These are longer routes and take about 4 hours to the top cable car station, passing by the historical dams and old ropeway ruins on the Back Table.
For a shady Afromontane forest experience, there are routes like Skeleton Gorge from Kirstenbosch side of the mountain, also stair-like with a few gum-pole ladders. Not quite scrambles, but still varied using the arms too. This takes about 4 hours to the cable car or top of the mountain.
Also available, a circular 3 hour hike through tranquil Afromontane forest to the magical Cecilia Waterfall. This route has options to go to the top with another 2 hours of hiking and a car journey back.
For more experiences, please see NatureGoer offerings.