Platteklip Gorge
Platteklip Gorge
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Platteklip Gorge is a national park trail of Table Mountain. The route that takes you the most directly up to the Cableway. Learn more about the various routes of Platteklip Gorge hike which takes place on Table Mountain tours and visit our website.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
254 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
40
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
1
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Rocqui
Western Cape, South Africa13 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The best hike on Table Mountain. Challenging but absolutely acceptable for anyone who is afraid of edges and very popular which makes it very safe. Best climb early, then breakfast on the top of the mountain and catc the cable car down. What a pleasure. Everyone in good moods, healthy exercise and the views are exceptional. Not to be missed. #exceptionaltablemountain #capetownrocks
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_Mags_NL
Luanda, Angola326 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
We used this trail to hike down Table Mountain. It has beautiful views and is well sign posted. The trail is partly made of wire mesh around the rocks, in places this has come loose and is actually a tripping hazard. In parts, the trail is bounded by razor wire, which is also not very well-maintained (or necessary if you ask me!)
The trail is quite busy and also a popular route for going up. The trail is very clean and surrounded by beautiful fijnbos and a lot of bird life. The trail ends at the road but you can also continue through Dear Park with adds a nice forest section to the route.
The descent took about one and a half hours in good weather.
The trail is quite busy and also a popular route for going up. The trail is very clean and surrounded by beautiful fijnbos and a lot of bird life. The trail ends at the road but you can also continue through Dear Park with adds a nice forest section to the route.
The descent took about one and a half hours in good weather.
Written April 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry Buirski
Cape Town, South Africa322 contributions
Jul 2021
Trying to be too clever, I went up in the cable car and walked down Platteklip, instead of the other way around, and as could be expected, I saw my backside! It was still an experience to add to all our previous hikes here, with the stupendous views as awesome as ever. Met many people hiking up in unsuitable clothes and footwear, and with only a single small water-bottle (or none!) and the heat for much of the hike was past hot. Also met three groups of people with unleashed dogs - is this allowed here? While stepping down a high rock step I almost did myself a serious injury when an unleashed dog came running up, right where I was stepping. Please try to arrive as early as possible when hiking this route and carry lots of water.
Written July 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter I
North Yorkshire, UK469 contributions
Feb 2020
This is the most popular route up the mountain by foot and the views are spectacular. Allow a good two hours even if you're reasonably fit and the advice now is to not go up alone but join an informal group. Great sense of achievement when you get there. Walk down or take the cable car.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GUINNESS835
Milwaukee, WI412 contributions
Oct 2021
We chose this trail because it was the shortest hike to the top. The trail itself is well marked and you won't get lost. It is a very steep trail with rock steps pretty much straight up. Make sure you come prepared with plenty of water as it can get hot because you are exposed to the sun for 80% of the hike. We went on a Wednesday and parked near the lower cableway. There is a trailhead to the right of the lower cableway which meets up with this trail. We found the trail to be busy, but not crowded. Be sure to know your physical capabilities before attempting this hike. We took the cableway down, but be warned it can close at any time mid high winds start and you should plan for enough time to hike down if necessary. Once you are the top, the views are amazing.
Written October 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dunwomblin
Marlow, UK192 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Horrendous, don’t believe it when people say it’s an easy option.
I’m in my 50s and consider myself to be fairly fit: walking an average of 6 miles a day. This hike broke me!
We decided to walk down rather than up as my knees aren’t brilliant and stepping up constantly would not be good.
All I can say is that it took us 4.5 hours and I seriously didn’t think I’d make it. My legs were like jelly & kept buckling under me so by the end my husband had to help me with even the shallowest step.
I think the main issues for me was that all the ‘steps’ were about 18” high and not always level so unless you have good balance and long legs it is really is hard work. In many places I had to resort to my bottom.
24 hours on - I still can’t walk or sit down without excruciating pain.
I won’t be doing that again!!
I’m in my 50s and consider myself to be fairly fit: walking an average of 6 miles a day. This hike broke me!
We decided to walk down rather than up as my knees aren’t brilliant and stepping up constantly would not be good.
All I can say is that it took us 4.5 hours and I seriously didn’t think I’d make it. My legs were like jelly & kept buckling under me so by the end my husband had to help me with even the shallowest step.
I think the main issues for me was that all the ‘steps’ were about 18” high and not always level so unless you have good balance and long legs it is really is hard work. In many places I had to resort to my bottom.
24 hours on - I still can’t walk or sit down without excruciating pain.
I won’t be doing that again!!
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands6,233 contributions
Nov 2021
The trail through Platteklip gorge is the easiest way for hiking up to Table mountain. There are several ways to reach the gorge which actually is more like a gully in the upper part of the mountain. The trail is easy in the sense there are no technical obstacles. It involves no scrambling over rocks. The trail is well maintained. It is basically a staircase.
Most people start at the lower cable station (shorter in distance but a bit steeper). I took the contour trail starting at Kloof Corner, just 1 km away from the saddle at Kloof Nek where there is also a bus stop. Elevation difference between Kloof Nek and Kloof Corner is 80m. The contour trail is longer in distance, but perhaps more enjoyable as you can walk almost leisurely along the slopes of the mountain, before it gets steeper at Platteklip.
It took me 2½ hours to get from the Kloof Nek saddle to the top cable station. I spent the same time for descending to the saddle again (2½ hours as well), but I took more breaks. For me this was part of a hike from Green Point adding another 1 hour and 20 minutes to the hike. For returning to Green Point I took a bus from the sadlle at Kloof Nek. I am 67, but fit. I was not exhausted when I got home again.
Take some protection against the sun and bring water.
Most people start at the lower cable station (shorter in distance but a bit steeper). I took the contour trail starting at Kloof Corner, just 1 km away from the saddle at Kloof Nek where there is also a bus stop. Elevation difference between Kloof Nek and Kloof Corner is 80m. The contour trail is longer in distance, but perhaps more enjoyable as you can walk almost leisurely along the slopes of the mountain, before it gets steeper at Platteklip.
It took me 2½ hours to get from the Kloof Nek saddle to the top cable station. I spent the same time for descending to the saddle again (2½ hours as well), but I took more breaks. For me this was part of a hike from Green Point adding another 1 hour and 20 minutes to the hike. For returning to Green Point I took a bus from the sadlle at Kloof Nek. I am 67, but fit. I was not exhausted when I got home again.
Take some protection against the sun and bring water.
Written November 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley H
11 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
I'm quite active and I found it tough. Took me 3 hours with lots of brief stops. Head out early in hot weather and take lots of water. Beautiful views and great sense of achievement when you finally get to the top!
Written October 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dousse
Bussiere-Galant, France4 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
It is the shortest trail that allows you to climb Table Mountain, but the most difficult, because it is very steep and several places require the use of legs and arms, which breaks the rhythm. This climb with a difference in altitude of more than 700 m. is usually done in 2 to 3 hours. We completed it in less than 1 hour and a half.
Very beautiful trail, well maintained and with breathtaking views of the city and its bay. There are more people who do it downhill than uphill. In short, a great experience
Very beautiful trail, well maintained and with breathtaking views of the city and its bay. There are more people who do it downhill than uphill. In short, a great experience
Written November 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chelly m
Dubai, United Arab Emirates111 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
But don’t believe when people say it’s easy. I’m fairly fit and it was exhausting. It took us 2 hours to get to the top of Table Mountain, but it was so rewarding getting. It’s quite safe. Steps are about 30-45cm high - your legs will burn and burn, but it will be worth it in the end. Make sure to have proper shoes, and take water with you. We took the cable cart to go down.
Written April 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Verena Engel
Isselburg, Germany
Hallo, wie würdest Du die Schwere des Trails beurteilen bis zum Contour Path?
Written November 3, 2019
note that there are two climbs, one lighter and one more difficult! the most difficult takes 4 hours to climb.
Written February 11, 2020
Hi
I am traveling to Cape Town with 4 friends. We want to hike to the top of the Table mountains using Platteklip Gorge. Do we need to hire a guide or is the trail marked to help tourists reach the top of the mountain? All of us are in early thirties and have moderate fitness. Please suggest. Thanks in advance for your help.
Regards
Utkarsh
Written July 6, 2017
Hi And I apologise for never answering as I have been out of action.
I hope your trip and climb was successful and I am sure you found that you definitely did not need special clothing.
Finding the start to Platteklip is easy. Drive as though you are going to the cable car entrance but just continue along the winding road and keep looking out on the right for the sign where you will find road side parking.
As you went in the winter, warmer clothing that you can layer, always lots of water no matter what the weather, decent trainers (hiking boots not necessary but of course you wear them), always a hat, and always a snack. It is for me a 1 hour walk but of course with children it is going to take much longer. Not sure what age would be easy for them to walk up but I have seen many of about 6 and upwards. Younger than that, I would suggest you need a carrier to be able to put them on your back (and you need to be strong enough).
Once you get to the top, it is quite obvious and this is where you turn to the right and follow the path along (which will take about another 15 - 20 min) to the cable car.
The cable car used cost R110 per person. It rotates all the way down so you get the most fabulous views.
Truly hope you had a wonderful time.
Written February 21, 2018
hello, We are a group of 6 adults and 3 kids aged 3, 3 & 6years. How could you help me with the activities like scootor ride and abseling etc.
Written April 3, 2017
As much as I encourage exposing children to new experiences, table mountain is still a mountain and thus a dangerous place for children. Platteklip Gorge is far more strenuous than Lions Head and I would never take a small child up Lions Head. It only needs a few seconds of inattention for a really bad outcome. I would advise the Cable Car and then stay close to the Upper Station where it is mostly guard railed.
Written September 28, 2017
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