South Africa, AfricaCybil ZhangSeptember 19, 2018Travel, Hiking

Platteklip Gorge

South Africa, AfricaCybil ZhangSeptember 19, 2018Travel, Hiking

Stair-master to the top of Table Mountain

Platteklip Gorge is the shortest but steepest hike up Table Mountain making it one intense workout. Lily and I chose a sunny, clear day to hike, so there were tons of locals and tourists along the trail giving it a social atmosphere. In fact, we met our New Zealand friend Callum during this hike!

After an hour and half, we made a final push through the gorge, which suddenly opened up to sweeping panoramic views. We treated ourselves to nice, cold beers at the Table Mountain Cafe and tried to hide our food from the dassies. Interestingly, this rodent-sized animal is the closest living relative to the African elephant! To finish, we headed back down the gorge through the Contour Path to Lower Cable Station.

I’ve taken the cable car up and down Table Mountain four(!) times before, but hiking up was entirely different and worth the effort.

Distance: 3km one-way | Elevation gain: 3,400 ft | Starting point: 1.5 km past Lower Cablecar Station on Tafelberg Rd. | Ending point: 10 min from Table Mountain Cafe

Read about other hikes around Table Mountain here.

Photography by Cybil Zhang