Time: 5 hours
Distance: 6.5 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Terrain: Single rocky track, stone steps, scrambling sections, ladders
The Skeleton Gorge hike takes you through shaded, indigenous forest up the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, and summits at Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on Table Mountain at 1086m above sea level. Unlike the drier, more exposed routes on the western and northern slopes, Skeleton Gorge offers an adventurous jungle like escape through some of the mountain’s most diverse and lush scenery..
Route Description
The Skeleton Gorge hike is different from those that summit on the western and northern routes. This is because the eastern slopes receive the most rainfall throughout the Cape Peninsula, creating a more diverse forest like landscape. Think boulders, running water, streams, indigenous shaded forest, fresh smells and a lot of green, and you may start to get an idea of what hiking on this side of Table Mountain is all about. The route is steep, and you have to work hard to get to the top. A good fitness level is required for this hike. Skeleton Gorge is shaded nearly all the way to the top, however it does get hot and humid and an early start is essential for an enjoyable ascent.
Skeleton Gorge starts in the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. We'll wander through tunnels of trees and over little wooden bridges, making our way up the eastern slopes of Table Mountain to the Contour Path, where it is intersected by Skeleton Gorge.
The ascent up Skeleton Gorge starts on some rock steps, followed by a series of wooden ladders, six in total, laid down to aid hikers with some steep rock faces and adding a sense of adventure to this hike. Skeleton Gorge follows a rocky stream, where minor scrambling is required, using your hands to stabilize yourself as we pass over some rocks. The scenery here is fascinating, almost like a jungle. The variety of flora and running streams blend into this indigenous forest, making for a spectacular hiking environment.
The river bed leads the way, as the path blends into the mountain slopes, taking us up to Breakfast Rock, a massive boulder near the summit. The hard work here is almost done, and we head north along the eastern flank on a more gradual and well maintained route, passing Table Mountain's peaks and gorges to Maclear's Beacon via the Smuts Track. Maclear's Beacon is a short walk to the Upper Cable Car Station, where we will take the cable car back down.
Views of the Cape Flats, False Bay, and the Hottentots Holland mountain range will be enjoyed along the way. Once we reach the cable car station, you will be spoilt with uninterrupted 360 degree views of Cape Town from the main plateau.
Itinerary
Start: 08h00 – 08h30
- Meet your guide at the meeting point
- Hike brief
- Hike route Skeleton Gorge to the top of Table Mountain
- Explore the summit
Finish: 4.5 hours later
- Buy cable car tickets
- Time spent at the top is up to you
- Ride the cable car down
Meeting and Parking
- Kirstenbosch Gardens Gate 1.
- There is a parking area at the gate, but the hike finishes at the Lower Cable Car Station.
- If you leave your car at the start point, our guide can arrange to bring you back to collect it.
Duration
5 hours one way
Highlights
- Start the hike in the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
- Shaded, indigenous forest offers a jungle like escape through tunnels of trees and wooden bridges.
- Minor scrambling and six wooden ladders add a sense of adventure along the ascent.
- Follow a rocky mountain stream through some of Table Mountain’s most diverse flora.
- Sweeping views of the Cape Flats, False Bay, and the Hottentots Holland mountain range along the way.
- Summit at Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on Table Mountain at 1086m above sea level.
Getting the Cable Car Down
- Tickets can be bought with a credit card at the top after the hike.
- The cable car ride down takes 4 to 5 minutes.
- The cable car departs every 10 to 15 minutes.
- The cable car may not run due to adverse weather conditions. In this case, we hike back down, and an extra charge applies for the extended hike.
Weather
- At times, Table Mountain hikes can be affected by Cape Town’s weather, so we keep a close eye on forecasts ahead of every hike.
- If weather conditions require us to cancel a hike, we’ll either reschedule you for another available date or issue a full refund, depending on your preference.
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Group Hike
On private hikes you will have a more personalized experience with you own hiking guide. On private hikes you can set your own pace.
| Price | $ 137per person |
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Private Hike
On private hikes you will have a more personalized experience with you own hiking guide. On private hikes you can set your own pace.
| Price | $ 137per person |
|---|
