Platteklip Gorge hike: the direct way up Table Mountain

Section by section

• Tafelberg Road: the path starts beside the road about 1.5 km past the Lower Cable Station, towards Devil's Peak. There is a security hut at the bottom of the gorge.
• The lower slope: the first half is a steep footpath in full sun, with views over the City Bowl, the harbour, Lion's Head and Robben Island.
• The gorge: the second half is steeper, up high rock steps and boulders between the cliffs. There is no scrambling and there are no ladders or chains.
• The top: the path comes out on the plateau at about 1,030 m. From there it is about 700 m to the Upper Cable Station, or about 2 km to Maclear's Beacon, the highest point of the mountain at 1,084 m.
• Getting down: walk back the same way, or ride the cableway down if it is running. It stops in strong wind.

Terrain and how hard it is

Platteklip is short but relentless: about 600 m of climbing from Tafelberg Road to the plateau on a north-facing slope with almost no shade. Most people take between one and two and a half hours to climb, depending on fitness.

Any reasonably fit person can do it, but the descent is hard on the knees because the stone steps are high. If your knees complain, take the cableway down.

On our map the line from the bottom of the gorge to the Upper Cable Station covers about 2.8 km.

Best time of year

Cape Town's drier months, from about October to April, are the best for hiking. In December to February, start early so you finish the climb before the heat. In winter, check the forecast: the rock steps are slippery when wet.

Whatever the season, dense mist, cold or extreme heat can arrive without warning, and the famous tablecloth of cloud pours over the top when the south-easter blows.

What to bring

SANParks' safety rules for the mountain come down to a short list:

• Enough water and food: there is no water on the path.
• Waterproof clothing, even in midsummer, and a warm layer.
• Walking shoes or hiking boots.
• A hat and sunscreen in summer.
• A fully charged phone, with the park emergency number, 086 110 6417, saved.
• Company: do not hike alone; SANParks says four is the ideal group size.

Getting there, entry and fees

The trailhead is on Tafelberg Road, about 6 km from the centre of Cape Town. There is no car park at the start; most people park along Tafelberg Road between the Lower Cable Station and the gorge.

South African National Parks (SANParks) publishes daily conservation fees only for its gated sites in Table Mountain National Park: Boulders, Cape Point, Newlands, Oudekraal, Silvermine and Tokai. Platteklip Gorge is not one of them. SANParks publishes no entry fee, permit or opening hours for this path, and a guide is not required. The cableway is run by a separate company and sells its own tickets. Official page: www.sanparks.org/parks/table-mountain/rates-entry-fees

Checked on 8 November 2026 against the official park website; confirm current fees before you go.

Keep the hike

We print the route on the real terrain, so Table Mountain's cliffs stand out in 3D with your path raised in colour up the gorge. Add the date and the names of everyone who made it to the top.