Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Table Mountain (Cape Town), Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- South Africa
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Table Mountain sandstone (0–1,086 m)
- Best season
- September – April
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Table Mountain sandstone (0–1,086 m)
- Best season: September – April
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Table Mountain (Cape Town)
Topic summary
Multi-pitch on Cape Town's iconic 1,086-m sandstone mountain.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: September – April
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Table Mountain sandstone (0–1,086 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Table Mountain (Cape Town) trip tools
How to get there
Use Cape Town, on South Africa’s southwestern coast, as the starting point. Table Mountain overlooks the city, with access to the top by hiking or cableway.
- Cape Town
The city beneath Table Mountain provides the starting context for reaching the mountain; choose a hiking approach or cableway access before setting out.
- Table Mountain cableway
An alternative means of reaching the top for visitors who do not plan to hike uphill. Confirm boarding arrangements before travelling.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Table Mountain (Cape Town)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Table Mountain (Cape Town)Amazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Table Mountain (Cape Town)
Planning to fish Table Mountain (Cape Town), South Africa? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in South Africa are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Table Mountain (Cape Town)?
- A South Africa fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current South Africa fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for South Africa yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Table Mountain (Cape Town)
Thinking about hunting Table Mountain (Cape Town), South Africa? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in South Africa are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Table Mountain (Cape Town)?
- Confirm the land around Table Mountain (Cape Town) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in South Africa?
- A South Africa hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for South Africa yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
A mountain above Cape Town
Table Mountain is the flat-topped landmark overlooking Cape Town on South Africa’s southwestern coast. Its summit rises about 1,000 metres above the surrounding city, a scale that matters when deciding between hiking and the cableway. The city setting should not be mistaken for an easy mountain outing: walking approaches include steep, rocky pathways and require fitness, preparation and hiking equipment. Cape Town is the practical starting point for a visit, while the mountain itself belongs to the wider setting of Table Mountain National Park. For trip planning, the central choice is how to reach the top. Hiking makes the ascent a substantial part of the day; the cableway offers an alternative to walking uphill.
Fynbos and the mountain’s cultural setting
Table Mountain supports 2,285 plant species, with around 80 percent described as fynbos, the vegetation whose Afrikaans name means “fine bush.” Its flora and fauna include many endemic species, making the mountain more than a viewpoint above the city. Give the vegetation attention during a visit, and avoid damaging plants when stopping or moving through rocky ground. The mountain also has a human history that predates its role as a major visitor destination. Its Khoekhoe name, Huriǂoaxa, means “sea-emerging,” and it forms part of lands formerly inhabited by Khoe-speaking clans, including the !Uriǁʼaes, or “High Clan.” Together, that cultural setting and the concentration of distinctive plant life give context to time spent on the mountain.
Choosing and preparing for an ascent
A hike to the top should be planned as a serious mountain outing rather than an extension of a city walk. The mountain has a large variety of pathways, often steep and rocky, so route choice needs to match fitness and comfort on rough terrain. Wear footwear suited to rocky walking, carry water and hiking equipment, and allow for the effort of getting down as well as going up. The roughly 1,000-metre rise above Cape Town describes the mountain’s scale, not the measured elevation gain of a particular route. Visitors who do not want an uphill hike can consider the cableway instead. Confirm access arrangements before setting out, and do not assume that proximity to the city removes the need for preparation.
Route options
- Hiking to the topPhysically demanding, with often steep and rocky pathways.
A variety of pathways lead upwards, often over steep and rocky terrain. Select an approach suited to the group’s fitness and prepare for a serious mountain outing.
- Cableway to the top
Reach the top by cableway rather than making the uphill journey on foot. Plan any walking separately from the cableway journey.
Sample itineraries
- Cableway visit to the summit · 1 day
Use the cableway to reach Table Mountain’s flat top above Cape Town. Focus on the mountain’s setting and distinctive vegetation. Confirm cableway operations before setting out, and carry layers suitable for a summit roughly 1,000 metres above the surrounding city.
- Prepared summit hiking day · 1 day
Plan a summit hike around fitness, preparation and proper hiking equipment. Table Mountain’s paths can be steep and rocky; treat the ascent as a serious mountain outing rather than a city walk. Choose a route suited to the group and establish a return plan before starting.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring visits
Check the mountain forecast before choosing between hiking and the cableway. Prepare for the summit environment rather than relying on conditions in Cape Town below.
Summer
Summer visits
Base hiking plans on the day’s forecast and the group’s fitness. Carry drinking water and sun protection for an ascent on steep, rocky terrain.
Fall
Fall visits
Check weather and available daylight before committing to a summit hike. Allow enough time and energy for the return; reaching the top is only part of the outing.
Winter
Winter visits
Check summit conditions and carry insulating and weatherproof layers. Reconsider hiking if weather makes steep, rocky paths unsuitable for the group.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring visits | Check the mountain forecast before choosing between hiking and the cableway. Prepare for the summit environment rather than relying on conditions in Cape Town below. |
| Summer | Summer visits | Base hiking plans on the day’s forecast and the group’s fitness. Carry drinking water and sun protection for an ascent on steep, rocky terrain. |
| Fall | Fall visits | Check weather and available daylight before committing to a summit hike. Allow enough time and energy for the return; reaching the top is only part of the outing. |
| Winter | Winter visits | Check summit conditions and carry insulating and weatherproof layers. Reconsider hiking if weather makes steep, rocky paths unsuitable for the group. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current access requirements and any permit rules with the managing agency for Table Mountain National Park.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Steep, rocky pathways require secure footing and suitable hiking footwear.
- The summit rises roughly 1,000 metres above Cape Town; the ascent demands fitness and preparation.
- Treat mountain weather separately from city conditions and check the forecast before departure.
- Choosing a hike beyond the group’s ability can leave too little energy for the return.
What to pack for Table Mountain (Cape Town)
- Hiking footwear with reliable grip
- Insulating layer
- Weatherproof outer layer
- Sun hat
- Drinking water appropriate to the planned outing
- Food and extra snacks
- Route information and an offline map
- Charged phone
- Basic first-aid kit
- Headlamp
Table Mountain (Cape Town) FAQ
- Where is Table Mountain?
- Table Mountain overlooks Cape Town on South Africa’s southwestern coast. Its flat summit rises roughly 1,000 metres above the surrounding city.
- Is the summit hike an easy city outing?
- No. Many paths are steep and rocky, and the ascent is a serious mountain outing requiring fitness, preparation and hiking equipment.
- Can the summit be reached without hiking up?
- Yes. Visitors can use the cableway. Confirm current operations and access arrangements before planning the visit.
- What makes the vegetation distinctive?
- Table Mountain has 2,285 plant species, around 80% of them fynbos. The mountain supports substantial endemic flora and fauna. Leave plants undisturbed and keep wildlife encounters observational.
- What cultural history is associated with the mountain?
- Table Mountain forms part of lands formerly inhabited by Khoe-speaking clans, including the !Uriǁʼaes, or High Clan. Its Khoekhoe name, Huriǂoaxa, means “sea-emerging.”
- How should a hiking route be chosen?
- Match the route to the least experienced member of the group. Obtain current route information, assess steep and rocky sections, and establish a return plan before leaving.