Climb Table Mountain via lush Skeleton Gorge and cross its iconic summit to descend by cable car — Cape Town’s most scenic hiking adventure. Guided in English or German.

PRICE: $110
per person

 

Escape the city and discover Cape Town’s most rewarding adventure — a professionally guided hike up Skeleton Gorge through lush forest trails, hidden waterfalls, and dramatic mountain views all the way to Table Mountain’s summit.

Start your journey in the tranquil Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before climbing into a world of towering trees, wooden ladders, and crystal-clear streams. Your expert local guide will lead you safely through the gorge, sharing stories about the unique fynbos, geology, and the mountain’s secrets known only to those who explore it on foot.

Emerge from the forest onto the open summit plateau, where panoramic views stretch from the Cape Peninsula to the distant mountains beyond. Enjoy a well-earned break at Maclear’s Beacon — the highest point on Table Mountain — before traversing across the top to descend by cable car (ticket not included.)

A true Cape Town classic — challenging, breathtaking, and unforgettable.

The hike involves some scrambling. A series of wooden ladders midway up the gorge, somewhat exposed to heights, requires care if you suffer from fear of heights.

After rain, especially in winter (June to August), the route gets wet and slippery – almost impassable directly after heavy or prolonged rain. Kirstenbosch Gardens’ opening hours prevent an early start in summer to beat the heat, so the hike often ends up extremely hot from October to March.

The ascent is strenuous, more so in summer due to the heat. You need to be in good shape to enjoy the route. It is often either wet and slippery or hot and humid.

The section in the gorge involves a series of ladders: technically easy, but intimidating if you’re afraid of heights. Beyond the ladders, the route follows a boulder-strewn watercourse, straightforward when dry, quite intense when gushing.

Once out of the forest, the terrain is gentler, but the uphill can feel interminable on a hot summer’s day.

Hike one of Cape Town’s most beautiful and adventurous routes — Skeleton Gorge
Traverse the length of the famous tabletop summit to the upper cable station
Take a detour to a beach at the historic Table Mountain dams
Enjoy the views from the highest point on Table Mountain, Maclear’s Beacon
Hike through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to the start of the trail

Guided hike up Skeleton Gorge
Expert Mountain Guide ( English/German)
Qualified Wilderness First Aider
Information on history, flora and fauna of the area
Access to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens ( Entry fee not included )
Visit to the historic Table Mountain dams
Traverse across the Table Mountain top
Maclear’s Beacon -Table Mountains highest point
Beautiful views
Stunning floral kingdom
Cable car tickets down ( Cable car closed 28 July – 03 August )
Entrance fee to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Meals and drinks
Transportation to/from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

 

This is just one of the many unforgettable experiences the South Africa has to offer. Discover more tours, hidden gems, and must-see spots in Cape Town, and Johannesburg or on our complete South Africa guide.