| Hike: | Skeleton Gorge to Platteklip Gorge Hike |
| Location: | Africa > South Africa > Cape Town > Table Mountain National Park |
| Map: | (see map) |
The Hike
What should we know?
| Name in local script: | Skeleton Gorge to Platteklip Gorge Hike |
| Also known as: | Add Data |
| Tour operator(s): | Add Data |
| Environment type: | lake, forest, mountain, ocean |
| Location type: | city, national park, rural |
What can we see or do there?
| Attractions: | Maclear’s Beacon, Table Mountain Viewpoint |
| Services: | Table Mountain Aerial Cableway |
| Shops: | Add Data |
| Animals: | rock hyrax |
| Birds: | Add Data |
How much will it cost us?
| Currency: | South African Rand (ZAR) |
| Ticket type: | Cost: |
| N/A | FREE |
| Extras: | Average Cost: |
| Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | ZAR60 |
How can we get in contact?
| Email: | [email protected] |
| Website: | www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/ |
| Telephone: | 0217 120 527 |
| Language(s): | Afrikaans, English, Xhosa |
| Timezone: | UTC+02:00 |
| Country calling code: | 27 |
How can we get there?
| Coordinates: | Add Data |
| Geographical feature: | Atlantic Ocean, Table Mountain National Park |
| Start location: | Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden |
| End location: | Table Mountain Aerial Cableway |
| Transportation type: | Add Data |
| Route number: | |
| Nearest stop: |
The Directions
| Gate 2 of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is the closest point to the trailhead for the Skeleton Gorge. From here, you’ll want to walk forwards for no more than 5 minutes to the Fragrance Garden, at which point you should see a sign pointing right to the Smuts Track and Skeleton Gorge. |
| Follow the Smuts Track/Skeleton Gorge for about an hour to the top. This is a steep ascent, but it’s shaded by plenty of forest – which means no views at first. After about 20 minutes you’ll come to a set of five ladders which very quickly lead into a rocky and steep riverbed. There isn’t a clear trail here, but it’s easy enough (if you’re able) to scramble up to the top. |
| Once at the top you’ll be confronted with a T junction. Take the right track which will lead you to another T junction, and again take that right track too. You’ll know if you’ve gone wrong because you’ll come to a sandy path leading to a lake and so you’ll have to turn back. Once you’re on the correct track you should be granted with excellent views towards False Bay as you head up towards Maclear’s Beacon. |
| It’s about an hour from the top of Skeleton Gorge to Maclear’s Beacon. You’ll only reach two major intersections on your way there. The first is obvious and signposted; you just need to keep going straight. The second is when you reach a strange rock that makes for an obvious landmark. Here you’ll see at least two if not three paths, but you’ll want to take the one heading right and up to Maclear’s Beacon. |
| From Maclear’s Beacon take an immediate left. The path gets a little uncertain here, but just follow the yellow footprints. It’s an easy (and flat) 45-minute walk from here to the Table Mountain Viewpoint. You’ll pass the turnoff for the Platteklip Gorge along the way but just go past that for now so you can explore all the view points around the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. |
| When you’ve had quite enough of the views, head back towards the Plattaklip Gorge turnoff. The turning will be on your left heading steeply down into the gorge. From here, you’ll take a steep track down heading towards the signposted Tafelberg Road. Towards the bottom, take a left towards the signposted cable-car lower station along a path that skirts the mountain (and provides just a tad more shade). All in all, the route down shouldn’t take you more than an hour and a half. |
The Directions
| If you know how to get to Skeleton Gorge to Platteklip Gorge Hike and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Directions
| If you know how to get to Skeleton Gorge to Platteklip Gorge Hike and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
What are the numbers and averages?
| Distance: | 12km |
| Altitude: | 100 to 1,000m |
What else would be good to know?
| Wikipedia: | Table Mountain |
| Wikitravel: | Add Data |
| Tripadvisor: | Add Data |
| Local tourism: | Hike Table Mountain |
| Emergency service(s): | Add Data |
| Travel advisories: | Add Data |
| Healthcare: | Add Data |
| Weather: | AccuWeather |
Top Descriptions
| The Skeleton Gorge to Platteklip Gorge hike is probably one of the most popular routes in Table Mountain National Park, and it’s not hard to see why. The hike starts in the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden before ascending steeply through shady forests and rocky riverbeds, all the while away from the tourist hordes of Table Mountain Viewpoint. Once at the top, the views are breathtaking, and there’s a pleasant ridge hike to Maclear’s Beacon before continuing on to the busy but nevertheless stunning Table Mountain Viewpoint. The hike down is also rather dramatic, and the atmosphere somewhat more electric thanks to the popularity of this section of the hike. Overall, this is a truly memorable hike in one of the most pleasant cities in the world. – Daniel |
| If you’ve written a description for Skeleton Gorge to Platteklip Gorge Hike you’d like to share with the community, send it to [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
Top Tips
| While the Skeleton Gorge offers plenty of shade, the Platteklip Gorge is extremely exposed. If you’re doing this on a hot day, come prepared! If it’s really hot, you might even want to consider doing this route in reverse so that you can be shaded on the way down. |
| Although the Platteklip Gorge turnoff is before the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, you should still go all the way to it just for the views. If you’ve come this far, why miss out on the Table Mountain Viewpoint? |
| Expect the beginning of the hike to be fairly quiet and for things to get progressively busier as the day goes on. The Platteklip Gorge descent can bottleneck a little! |
| If you have a tip about Skeleton Gorge to Platteklip Gorge Hike and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
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