Desk Mountain mountaineering trails – 6 wonderful routes

Desk Mountain is Cape City’s most well-known attraction and a must-visit place in Cape City. Climbing on Desk Mountain is an effective way to see town and its environment. The views from the highest are really spectacular. The best and quickest approach of attending to the highest is to take a cable automotive. Strolling up following one of many Desk Mountain mountaineering trails is a much more difficult however far more rewarding expertise. There are a number of routes going up in addition to a few stunning hikes on the highest of the mountain. Climbing Desk Mountain is without doubt one of the most thrilling issues to do in Cape City.

Desk Mountain mountaineering excursions

How lengthy is the Desk Mountain hike in Cape City?

There are 5 official routes (Platteklip Gorge, Skeleton Gorge, India Venster, Kasteelspoort, and Diagonal) for mountaineering up Desk Mountain. The gap and time rely on the chosen path. The Skeleton Gorge is the shortest and the most well-liked route – 2,5 km. It takes between 1 hour and 1h30 min. to get to the highest.

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Is Desk Mountain in Cape City a tough hike?

Climbing Desk Mountain is difficult whatever the chosen route. The typical ascent (relying on the route) is between 600 m and 700 m. The descent is simply as troublesome because the ascent contemplating the rocky terrain and steepness of the paths.

Is it protected to hike alone?

• If you happen to observe one of many well-liked routes or hike on the highest of Desk Mountain try to be fairly protected.
• Don’t hike at evening time or late within the night in winter.
• If you happen to select a lesser-used route, reasonably go on the weekend when there are extra folks.
• It’s higher to be a few folks on the route particularly if you happen to hike on weekdays or low season.
• If you happen to don’t need to hike alone you possibly can be part of a guided tour up Desk Mountain. There are a number of excursions that observe totally different trails. 
• Carry sufficient water, a minimum of 1l per individual there are not any water sources on the mountain till you attain the highest. The Skeleton Gorge is the one route the place you will get water alongside the best way.

Is it free to hike Desk Mountain, Cape City?

Sure, mountaineering Desk Mountain in Cape City is free. There isn’t a entrance price to Desk Mountain Nationwide Park. Skeleton Gorge is the one path the place you pay the doorway price as a result of the route begins contained in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard. If you wish to use the aerial cable automotive to go up or down you’ll have to purchase tickets.

When is the perfect time for mountaineering Desk Mountain?

Within the scorching summer season months (December – February), early morning is the perfect time particularly if you happen to’re planning to stroll on one of many trails which can be uncovered to the solar corresponding to Platteklip or India Venster. There are various nice espresso retailers in Cape City positioned near Desk Mountain the place you possibly can have espresso and breakfast earlier than climbing.

Evenings are a great time as effectively simply be sure that to not stroll any of the routes at nighttime in your personal security. If you happen to’re planning to make use of the cable automotive test for the wind it generally will get very windy in summer season and it doesn’t function on very windy days.

Our favourite months for mountaineering on Desk Mountain are November and March, total these are the perfect months to go to Cape City.

In cooler months (April – October) you possibly can stroll just about any time simply be sure to received’t get quite a lot of rain. It’s not good to be up Desk Mountain within the pouring rain. Clouds are one other factor to observe for. If you happen to see large clouds on the highest of the mountain postpone your go to you won’t be capable of see something from the highest. 

How you can get to Desk Mountain mountaineering trails?

Renting a automotive is the simplest approach of shifting round Cape City. If you happen to’re a few folks sharing a smallish automotive it received’t be costly to lease a automotive for a few days. 

Utilizing a hop-on-hop-off bus is an alternative choice for attending to Desk Mountain. There are 4 totally different sightseeing routes together with one which goes to the Decrease Cable Automobile Station (the crimson route) and one which goes to Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard (the blue route). A 2-day ticket consists of 2 strolling excursions, a seal & harbor boat cruise, and a sundown bus. If you happen to’re planning to go up or down with the cable automotive you possibly can purchase a mixed ticket that features the bus, the cable automotive, and a free metropolis strolling tour.

Cable automotive on Desk Mountain

You’ll be able to stroll up and down or if you happen to don’t really feel prefer it or don’t have sufficient time you can use the cable automotive a method or return. Don’t fear about skipping the mountaineering half if you happen to take the cable automotive there are a few very good trails on the highest of the mountain. No matter which approach you select, it is best to undoubtedly embody Desk Mountain in your Cape City itinerary.

The views from the cable automotive are wonderful, the ground rotates clockwise through the experience you get 360° panoramic views of Cape City. The cable automotive operates day by day. Working hours change relying on the month. You’ll be able to test the up-to-date timetable and purchase your tickets right here.

• To go a method (up or down) prices ZAR 240/US$12 for adults and ZAR 130/US$7 for kids.
• For a return ticket, you pay ZAR 420/US$22 (morning time); ZAR 360/US$19 (after 1 pm) for adults, and ZAR 210/US$11 (morning time), ZAR 180/US$10 (after 1 pm) for kids.
• If you happen to’re planning to make use of the hop-on-hop-off bus you possibly can purchase a mixed ticket that features a return cable automotive experience. It’s the most suitable choice if you happen to’re not going to lease a automotive. 

High 6 Desk Mountain mountaineering trails

Platteklip Gorge path

• Distance – 5,5 km return
• Time – 2 hours return
• Whole elevation acquire/loss – 650 m
• Place to begin – Tafelberg Street, about 1,5 km previous the Decrease Cable Automobile Station in direction of Satan’s Peak.
• Ending level (on the highest) – 700 m away from the cable automotive station.
• Issue – 3 out of 5*
• Terrain – footpath, rocks, and boulders
• Parking – alongside Tafelberg Street (on the left) previous the Decrease Cable Automobile station there’s a parking spot proper at first of the path nevertheless it’s typically full.

*issue evaluating totally different Desk Mountain mountaineering trails with the 5 being probably the most troublesome route up Desk Mountain.

For extra data learn our detailed information on the Platteklip Gorge hike.

Climbing Desk Mountain Platteklip Gorge with a tour

Highlights

• Good views of Cape City metropolis heart and its environment.
• The surroundings on the finish of the path.

Challenges

• The steep ascent from the very begin of the path.
• The primary a part of the route is uncovered to the solar with no shade to cover.
• The second a part of the path entails a little bit of climbing over the rocks.
• From the top of the path on the highest, it’s one other 700 m to the cable automotive station.

Route description

• The Platteklip Gorge hike is fairly simple, there’s a signal at first of the path.
• A rocky path climbs up the mountain from the beginning.
• A zigzagging footpath part within the center.
• A steeper and a bit harder climb within the second a part of the hike.

India Venster path

• Distance – 4,3 km to Higher Cable Automobile station, a method
• Time – 2-3 hours from the begin to the cable automotive, a method
• Whole elevation acquire – 722 m
• Place to begin – Decrease Cable Automobile Station
• Ending level (on the highest) – 700 m away from the Higher Cable Automobile station.
• Issue – 5 out of 5, it’s probably the most difficult and harmful route up Desk Mountain, not appropriate for kids or aged folks.
• Terrain – rocks, boulders, occasional chains and ladders, footpath on the very finish of the path.
• Parking – alongside Tafelberg Street earlier than or after Lowe Cable Automobile station.

For extra data learn our India Venster mountaineering information.

India Venster GPX file

Climbing Desk Mountain India Venster with a tour

Highlights

• The India Venster hike has the perfect views of Cape City, Lion’s Head, Camps Bay, and lots of different metropolis sights. 
• A few wonderful look-out factors
• Weird rock formations and cliffs
• A good looking path alongside the cliff on the finish of the hike

Challenges

• A steep and lengthy ascent.
• The path is uncovered to the solar for probably the most a part of the day there isn’t a shade to cover.
• Many very steep climbs over rocks utilizing ladders and chains.
• Some components of the route are fairly near the sting; generally it’s a bit scary if you must climb up.

*all path information together with elevation profiles and maps for the publish we obtained from our Garmin Fenix GPS watch. We love utilizing our watches for mountaineering and coaching.

Route description

• The route begins with a gradual footpath that takes you from the Decrease Cable Automobile station to the Contour Path, the simplest half.
• There you’ll see an indication indicating the India Venster path and the primary yellow footprints (behind the signal). 
• From there the path begins climbing up over the rocks and boulders however nothing hectic but only a steep ascent. 
• Someplace within the center whenever you attain the rocky partitions of Desk Mountain you begin scrambling over rocks and ladders. 
• The final half across the mountain is fairly stress-free on a footpath with one final climb.
• From the top of the path, it’s one other 700 m on the highest of Desk Mountain to the higher cable automotive station.

If you happen to’re in search of extra locations to hike in Cape City take a look at Cape Level mountaineering trails – breathtaking surroundings and unbelievable mountaineering expertise.

Skeleton Gorge path

• Distance – 7 km return 
• Time – 2,5-3,5 hours up and down, relying on how briskly you stroll
• Whole elevation acquire/loss – 600 m
• Place to begin – Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard
• Ending level (on the highest) – 100 m away from Hely Hutchinson Reservoir.
• Issue – 3 out of 5
• Terrain – footpath, stairs, rocks, and boulders (some fairly slippery), picket ladders.
• Parking – there are two fairly massive parking areas inside Kirstenbosch Backyard.

For extra data on the route learn our Skeleton Gorge mountaineering information.

Skeleton Gorge GPX file

Climbing Desk Mountain through the Skeleton Gorge with a information

Highlights

• Lovely Kirstenbosch Backyard; the sky bridge is to not miss right here.
• Beautiful lush inexperienced forest.
• Breathtaking views over Cape City and False Bay.
• White-sand seashore and a dam with chilly water.

Challenges

• An extended and fairly steep ascent from the beginning.
• A few picket ladders to beat.
• A slippery rocky path that could be a bit tough to stroll down.

Route description

• The Skeleton Gorge hike begins contained in the backyard and there are a number of indicators at totally different components of Kirstenbosch indicating the best way to Skeleton Gorge. 
• The ascent begins from the start first you go up picket stairs, then on a footpath with occasional rocky steps. 
• The second half of the path is extra tough and entails climbing over rocks and picket ladders. 
• The final bit is on a footpath with stairs. 

Diagonal/Kasteelspoort path

• Distance – 11,5 km loop together with distance to the diving board and again to the path.
• Time – 3h30min. loop
• Whole elevation acquire/loss – 680 m
• Place to begin – Kloof Nek parking on the turn-off to Tafelberg Street
• Ending level (on the highest) – 200 m away from the Diving board
• Issue – 3 out of 5
• Terrain – rocky/gravel footpath, rocks, and boulders, rocky stairs
• Parking – Kloof Nek parking if there isn’t a house search for a spot alongside Tafelberg Street.

For extra data on the route test our mountaineering guides on the Kasteelspoort path and Diagonal path on Desk Mountain.

Kasteelspoort/Diagonal path GPX

Climbing Desk Mountain Kasteelspoort with a tour

Highlights

• Beautiful views of Camps Bay and Lion’s Head from a lookout level on the Diagonal route.
• Lovely panorama and bizarre-shaped rocks on the highest of Desk Mountain.
• The diving board is a small rocky cliff hanging above the abbey that in form reminds a diving board. It’s a tremendous picture spot not for the faint-hearted.

Challenges

• A steep climb over rocks and boulders on the Diagonal path.
• A steep descent all the way down to the Pipe Observe from the highest.

Route description

• It’s a loop path. The route begins throughout the highway from Kloof Nek parking. 
• The primary half is on the Pipe monitor, a very simple and flat stroll across the mountain with good views over Camps Bay and Lion’s Head. 
• At 2,7 km there’s the primary break up, the left path (Diagonal) climbs up the mountain, and the left continues on the Pipe monitor. 
• The following break up is at 4,5 km, the left route is the Diagonal path, and the fitting route is the Kasteelspoort path. 
• If you happen to proceed on the Diagonal path you’ll attain the highest at about 5 km. 
• From there proceed straight for about 400 m till you see the signal pointing to the Kasteelspoort mountaineering path. Quickly after that, you’ll see one other break up the route on the fitting goes down the Kasteelspoort path. 
• You can begin happening however earlier than testing the Diving board, it’s about 400 m forward on the Outdated Cable Automobile station. 
• The best way down is kind of straightforward; you simply observe the Kasteelspoort path all the best way to the Pipe monitor and from there proceed strolling again to Kloof Nek parking.

Maclear’s Beacon path

• Distance – 5,4 km return
• Time – 1h30min. – 2 hours, return
• Whole elevation acquire/loss – 150 m
• Beginning/ending level – Higher Cable Automobile Station in direction of Platteklip Gorge
• Issue – 1 out of 5
• Terrain – footpath, boardwalks, boulders
• Parking – alongside Tafelberg Street close to Decrease Cable Automobile Station

Maclear’s Beacon path GPX

Highlights

• Beautiful views of Cape Level, Hout Bay, Muizenberg, Strand, Gordons Bay, and so forth.
• Weird rock formations alongside the route.
• The attractive panorama on the highest of Desk Mountain

Challenges

• The one problem is the warmth, it will get extraordinarily scorching in summer season and there’s no shade

It’s a straightforward stroll appropriate for vacationers with youngsters and aged folks. The route begins at Skeleton Gorge, about 700 m from Higher Desk Automobile Station. There’s a metallic plank indicating the best way to Maclear’s Beacon. The path is marked with yellow footprints and arrows, it’s straightforward to observe.

The route is flat with hardly any ascent or descent. It’s an ideal hike for individuals who don’t need to endure one of many difficult routes up Desk Mountain however nonetheless need to discover its high and do a straightforward hike. The views of the best way and from the beacon are fairly spectacular. You get to see the surroundings on the opposite facet of Desk Mountain that’s not seen from the cable automotive. 

Higher Cable Automobile Station to Skeleton Gorge

• Distance – 4,8 km
• Time – 1h20min. – 2 hours
• Whole elevation acquire – 66 m
• Whole elevation loss – 395 m
• Place to begin – Higher Cable Automobile station
• Ending level – the highest of Skeleton Gorge close to Hely Hutchinson Reservoir
• Issue – 1,5 out of 5
• Terrain – boulders, boardwalks

This route is an extension of Maclear’s Beacon path. The beacon is about midway. It’s a pleasant route that gives very totally different from the cable automotive facet views. The panorama alongside the path is kind of wonderful with wired rock formations, slender passages between two rocks, and so forth. Proper after Maclear’s Beacon, it’s a regular downhill all the best way to Skeleton Gorge.

Nothing very steep or scary I’d say the route is appropriate for anyone. You don’t need to go all the best way to the gorge you possibly can simply stroll just a little bit and switch round. The stroll to Skeleton Gorge and again to the cable automotive is about 10 km. The stroll again is harder for extra particulars learn the outline under.

There are free guided walks on the highest of Desk Mountain that anyone can be part of. The assembly level is close to the exit from the espresso store. Excursions depart day by day each hour from 9am to 3pm. These usually are not lengthy hikes totally on boardwalks close to the cable automotive station. Throughout the stroll, you be taught attention-grabbing info about Desk Mountain and uncover the perfect picture spots on the highest.

The floor of Desk Mountain is a large space with a few water reservoirs, in a single day huts, a number of mountaineering trails, and monuments. One can spend hours if not days strolling and exploring it. In a approach mountaineering on the highest of Desk Mountain jogs my memory of the Mount Roraima hike in Venezuela.

What to pack for mountaineering Desk Mountain?

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Locations to remain

The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack reasonably than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.