{"id":99007,"date":"2016-05-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-05-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/cape-town-hikes\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:53:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:53:25","slug":"cape-town-hikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/cape-town-hikes\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Lesser-Known Hikes To Do In Cape Town"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone knows you can\u2019t visit Cape Town without taking a stab at the mighty mountain, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. If you\u2019re new to Cape Town these lesser-known hikes are a great way to get a local\u2019s perspective and avoid the crowds. Straight-forward Platteklip can get a little boring and crowded after a while so Travelstart has 7 fresh hiking ideas for every fitness level. You don\u2019t have to be a hiking enthusiast or pay the cable car fee to manage the 20 minute ascent to front row seats to the most spectacular view in Cape Town: sunset at Kloof Corner. For adrenaline junkies seeking a new challenge Kloof Corner Ridge Hike offers the most terrifying hike around.<\/p>\n

Lion’s Head Loop<\/h2>\n

\"lion's<\/p>\n

Courtesy of grantclark10 via Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: 5.26 km<\/strong>
\n Duration: 75 minute walk, great for beginner trail runners<\/strong>
\n Level of fitness required: low, this is a pleasant stroll with little uphill.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lion\u2019s Head loop is often cited as the perfect trail run for beginners. Mostly flat it is an easy route which circles the base of Lion\u2019s Head passing through veld, pine forest, protea forest and as a bonus it has fantastic ocean view in parts. To start simply turn right not left at the base of Lion\u2019s Head, this path is fairly self-explanatory as basically follows the base of the mountain, the only concern is the abrupt descent to the road in the last quarter section, make sure children and dogs know to exercise caution. This is the perfect trail for an after work walk with your dog and family.<\/p>\n

Kloof Corner<\/h2>\n

\"kloof<\/p>\n

Courtesy of gregthis via Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: 1,4 km<\/strong>
\n Duration: 20 mins<\/strong>
\n Level of fitness required: low, the path is steep but wide and stable.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who needs a rooftop bar when you have Kloof Corner. This is the ultimate sundowner spot. Depending on the way the wind is blowing you can choose which side of the corner to sit on to stay sheltered. Just a 20 minute walk up from the Kloof Corner Parking you\u2019ll make sundowners after work even in winter. It\u2019s great also for an early morning walk before walk.
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\n\"kloof<\/p>\n

Courtesy of michaelhoosen via Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Find cheap flights to Cape Town here<\/a>.<\/h3>\n

Table Mountain Contour Path<\/h2>\n

\"contour<\/p>\n

Courtesy of sjanegoodman via Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: about 5km from Kloof Corner to Platteklip Gorge<\/strong><\/p>\n

Duration: 1 hour<\/strong>
\n Level of fitness required: low<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a wonderful low effort walk\/ trail run with the most spectacular views of Lion\u2019s Head and the city. You can join the Contour Path from numerous entry points of Tafelberg Road though a great route is to park at Kloof Corner, take the 20 minute walk up the path to the contour path then turn left and carry on for as long as you like. This flat path joins up with Platteklip but you continue along it all the way to Newland\u2019s Forest and beyond if you wish. I suggest a neat walk to Platteklip (under 6km) then a descent to Tafelberg Road or simply retrace your steps.<\/p>\n

Wally’s Cave<\/h2>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

Courtesy of instagram_sa via Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Duration: about 25- 30 minutes<\/strong>
\n Distance: about 1 km<\/strong>
\n Level of fitness required: low to medium, tolerance for a steep ascent<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may have seen Wally\u2019s Cave in all its silhouetted glory on Instagram. Popular with those in the know this cave is only a km from the base of Lion\u2019s Head though with a fairly substantial ascent. Take the normal route up Lion\u2019s Head then after passing the 2nd lookout bench turn right onto a path that leads through the silver protea forest. From there follow the path to the concrete slab then continue straight up for a short while longer before turning left onto the first rough path, don\u2019t go too high as the path near the top leads nowhere. Following that path you will arrive at some rocks, pass them, turn a corner and you will see Wally\u2019s cave in front of you to the upper right. If you sit further back in the cave you will be able to capture the perfect silhouetted shot.
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Devil’s Peak<\/h2>\n

\"devil's<\/p>\n

Courtesy of alexw032 via Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: 2,7 km Tafelberg road to the summit<\/strong>
\n Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes up depending on fitness level<\/strong>
\n Level of fitness required: medium to high<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fairly challenging because the path can be slippery with tricky footwork, however over all it\u2019s fairly straight forward with amazing panoramic views of the city and both sides of the peninsula,<\/p>\n

If you have less time take the 1 and a half hour ascent from near the end of Tafelberg Road (you\u2019ll see a \u201cDevil\u2019s Peak\u201d sign. Otherwise take the Skeleton Gorge route from inside Kirstenbosch for a longer hike (from 2 hours one way). Follow directions from the signs provided.
\n\"devil's<\/p>\n

Courtesy of emmaalfeld via Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

India Venster<\/h2>\n

\"india<\/p>\n

Courtesy of jetgravekamp via Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n

Duration: 4 hours round trip<\/strong><\/p>\n

Distance: around 10 km round trip<\/strong><\/p>\n

Level of fitness required: Medium to High<\/strong><\/p>\n

This path requires a fair bit of scrambling and a tolerance for heights. You\u2019ll pass right under the cable car which makes for spectacular photos.
\nThere are some short chains on this route but nothing scary.
\nYou\u2019ll know when to look for the window when you see a blue dab of paint on a rock near the summit. Look left and see a crazy framed view of the mountain and city.
\n\"India<\/p>\n

Courtesy of tablemountain.net<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"india<\/p>\n

Courtesy of all trails.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kloof Corner Hike<\/h2>\n

\"chains<\/p>\n

Duration: 4 – 5 hours round trip<\/strong><\/p>\n

Distance: Around 10 km<\/strong><\/p>\n

Level of fitness required: High, this is a challenging hike<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arguably the most challenging Table Mountain hike title goes to Kloof Corner Ridge. This should only be attempted by frequent hikers and proficient rock climbers as it involves three ascents using a chain, one through a narrow rock chimney. The views are undeniably majestic but beware the precarious drops and slippery rocks.
\nYou should always go with at least one person who has completed the hike before, another option is to hire a guide from Ridgeway Ramblers<\/a> and request the use of safety ropes.
\nTo find the start of the hike follow the path up to Kloof Corner then turn left and search for the first chain, you could also follow the contour path from behind the lower cable way if you prefer and walk right looking for the chain near Kloof Corner.<\/p>\n

The first chain is relatively short and fairly safe without ropes provided you have reasonable upper body strength. From here you continue up until you come to a 6 metre chain followed by the 11 inch crack.
\nTake it slow, claustrohobics beware. Squeeze behind the boulder where you\u2019ll find another chain to ascend the boulder, watch out for the sheer drop of 100 feet on the other side.<\/p>\n

Scramble up some more and you\u2019ll find yourself directly below the cable car where India Venster converges with Fountain ledge. Follow the ledge to the top or take the India Venster route down.<\/p>\n

Security Essentials<\/h2>\n