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Ascending the mountain
Ascending Table Mountain is an essential activity -
the views across Table Bay and the Atlantic are spectacular.
The popular and easy option is to ascend in a state-of-the-art
cable car, which offers a rotating 360-degree panoramic view.
The cable car leaves from Tafelberg Road from 7.30am
to 10pm (shorter hours operate during summer) leaving every
10 to 20 minutes and costing R68 ($11) return May to October,
or R85 ($14) return November to April.
When to go
The "table cloth" effect comes into force in the
summer (December to February) when wind crossing the bay hits
the cooler air of the mountain and condenses to form thick,
white clouds, at which time ascending the mountain is best
avoided.
For the adventurous, you can of course hike to the summit,
which is a three to four hours round trip and involves some
steep and rocky sections. When you get to the top, try an
adrenalin-fueled abseil down a 3000ft vertical cliff face.
The Table
Mountain National Park has many great hiking trails,
the best being Hoerikwaggo Trail, a five day and six
night hike covering the full length of the peninsula and designed
to protect the environment and bring economic benefits to
the six communities within the park. Get up close to fun-loving
monkeys on a family friendly three hour Baboon Matters
tour (Tel: 0027 21783 3882), or try horse riding. |
