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.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
250 reviews
Excellent
202
Very good
40
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
1
chelly m
Dubai, United Arab Emirates93 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 19 April 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.
Hockey_Tish
Altadena, CA82 contributions
Mar 2023
not to difficult very well marked and very will traveled. I felt safe the whole time. Took the tram down since it was too steep for going down
Written 23 March 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.
dunwomblin
Marlow, UK202 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 5 March 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.
Andrés Egidio K
Naucalpan, Mexico14 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We did this trail to get to the top and it was amazing, you get great views of the city while going up. I don't exercise and it was easy for me.
Written 4 February 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.
WInneray
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa32 contributions
Feb 2022
Since early childhood I wanted to do Platteklip Gorge but never had the opportunity until now.
Was in CT alone so had no other option of doing the walk alone. Notified family that I will be there in case they don't here from me by late afternoon.
Initially I was worried about doing it alone but i is such a busy route there are always people around .
Can recommend taking it slow from the start as this us not an easy walk.
Take enough water and energy drink or snacks as it is a tough 2 hours up.
Due to me know being a very good downhill hiker I chose to take the cable car down.
Was in CT alone so had no other option of doing the walk alone. Notified family that I will be there in case they don't here from me by late afternoon.
Initially I was worried about doing it alone but i is such a busy route there are always people around .
Can recommend taking it slow from the start as this us not an easy walk.
Take enough water and energy drink or snacks as it is a tough 2 hours up.
Due to me know being a very good downhill hiker I chose to take the cable car down.
Written 9 October 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.
andyhEdinburgh
Edinburgh, UK301 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Did this walk,one of the best that I have ever done.Weather was absolutely perfect for us,in a group of 5 with the tour guide doing an amazing job
Written 12 September 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.
_Mags_NL
Luanda, Angola292 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 9 April 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.
Suanne Mescken
Lenasia, South Africa5 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
It was an experience to remember, a little cloudy on the day that I hiked up, but got to see a picturesque landscape so all worth it in the end. Oh and not forgetting the encouragement from all the hikers descending the mountain, beautiful people.
Written 14 December 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.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,815 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 17 November 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.
GUINNESS835
Milwaukee, WI407 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 31 October 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.
Verena Engel
Isselburg, Germany
Hallo, wie würdest Du die Schwere des Trails beurteilen bis zum Contour Path?
Sil I
Florianopolis, SC46 contributions
note that there are two climbs, one lighter and one more difficult! the most difficult takes 4 hours to climb.
Utkarsh R
Bengaluru, India35 contributions
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
Adriana Martini
London, UK59 contributions
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.
Pankti Choksi
Mumbai, India2 contributions
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.
Evan B
Western Cape, South Africa92 contributions
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.
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