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South Africa Travel + Tourism Guide: Cape Town's Table Mountain

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is Cape Town's most distinctive geographical feature and an icon of the city. As the name suggests, Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain that rises to a highest point of 1,086m. The peaks of Signal Hill and Lion's Head to the west and Devil's Peak to the east enclose the amphitheatre-shaped City Bowl below.

The area is now part of the Table Mountain National Park which is home to amazing flora and wildlife. Table Mountain is a popular tourist attraction and attracts thousands of hikers (be well prepared or take an organized walk in a group) and people riding the cable car to the top. The Lower Cable Station is on Tafelberg Road and around the Upper Cable Station are restaurants to enjoy a drink at sunset.

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Paths to the top of the mountain include the recommended Platteklip Gorge route (2-3 hours), the Pipe Track (3 hours), and the Smuts' Track up Skeleton Gorge from above Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Platteklip Gorge is the safest of the trails and recommended for inexperienced hikers. Try to avoid taking valuables and walking alone in isolated areas of the mountain.

Table Mountain Access

The Lower Cableway Station is on Tafelberg Road. 1 May - 15 September, first car up 8.30am; last car up 5pm; last car down 6pm. Hours vary at other times of the year. The cable car departs every 10-15 minutes and presently costs 145 Rand (2009). The Camps Bay bus from Adderley Street passes Kloof Nek and it's a 1.5km walk to the station.

Read more about Table Mountain National Park

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