The best hikes in Cape Town, from Lion's Head to Kasteelspoort

The best hikes in Cape Town are Lion's Head for sunset, Platteklip Gorge for the most direct route up Table Mountain, and the Kasteelspoort and Diagonal loop for sea views above Camps Bay. For something easier, walk the Pipe Track or Maclear's Beacon from the top cable station. Skeleton Gorge, India Venster, Chapman's Peak and Elephant's Eye complete the list. Most trails are free; Kirstenbosch and Silvermine charge entry.

Amaya is designed in Sea Point, so Lion's Head and Table Mountain are the backdrop to our week. We say what we love; we are not affiliated with any of these places. Check hours before you go.

Before you go: closures and safety

Several trails closed temporarily after the May 2026 storm, including the Lion's Head summit, the Signal Hill precinct, Tokai, Silvermine and the Constantia Nek trails. The Lion's Head Jeep Track was also closed for maintenance from 20 April to 20 June 2026. Check sanparks.org for closures before you go.

SANParks sets clear rules. Don't hike alone: four is the ideal number. Start early and tell someone your route. Carry waterproof clothing even in summer, enough water and a charged phone, because reception is patchy. Stay on marked paths and keep out of ravines. Don't display valuables. Drones are banned across the whole park.

Save these numbers before you set off:

• Table Mountain National Park emergency: 086 110 6417
• SAPS: 10111
• City emergency: 021 480 7700
• NSRI: 082 911
• Cableway: 021 424 0015

Quick pick

Lion's Head

• Start: Signal Hill Road parking, at the Kramat trailhead. The Kramat, Upper Rhine Road and Kloof Road trails are the alternatives to the Jeep Track.
• Distance: about 2 km one way, or 5.5 km return with 387 m of climbing.
• Time: 1 to 1.5 hours up.
• Difficulty: SANParks rates it easy with minor scrambling. The last section is steep, and the chains and ladders are optional.
• Best time: sunset. At full moon it gets busy, and SANParks warns that alcohol, darkness and the steep descent have caused accidents, at least one fatal.
• Fee: free. There is no water on the route.

Platteklip Gorge

• Start: Tafelberg Road, about 1.5 km past the Lower Cable Station towards Devil's Peak.
• Distance: about 3 km up, or 5.5 km return with 650 m of climbing.
• Time: 1 hour if you are fit, up to 3 hours up.
• Difficulty: moderate to tough.
• Best time: start early. The top is cold and windy even in summer. The cableway can close suddenly, so leave time to walk down.
• Fee: free.

India Venster

• Start: Lower Cable Car Station.
• Distance: 4.3 km one way to the Upper Station.
• Time: 2 to 3 hours.
• Difficulty: 5/5. Chains, ladders and real exposure. You need a head for heights.
• Cape Town Tourism calls it one of the most challenging and dangerous routes up Table Mountain. It is not for children or older hikers.
• Fee: free.

Skeleton Gorge (Smuts Track)

• Start: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. The climb begins where it meets the Contour Path.
• Distance: about 4 km one way to Maclear's Beacon, or 7 km return with 600 m of climbing.
• Time: 2 to 4 hours one way.
• Difficulty: moderate, 3/5, with wooden ladders and slippery boulders.
• Best time: avoid it during or just after heavy rain. The second half has no shade.
• Fee: Kirstenbosch entry, R110 for SA residents and R270 international. Pay online via Webtickets; cash is no longer accepted. The garden opens 08:00 to 19:00 from September to March.

Kasteelspoort and the Diagonal

• Start: Kloof Nek, at the Kloof Corner parking on the Tafelberg Road side, or Theresa Avenue in Camps Bay.
• Distance: an 11 to 11.5 km loop with 680 m of climbing, or about 6 km from Camps Bay.
• Time: 3.5 to 4 hours, or 2.5 to 3 hours from Camps Bay.
• Difficulty: 3/5. The Diagonal is steeper; Kasteelspoort is the easier half.
• Best time: start early. There are no water refill points.
• Fee: free. The reward is the view over the Twelve Apostles and the sea.

Pipe Track

• Start: where Tafelberg Road meets Kloof Nek, opposite the Kloof Nek parking. There is a tap at the start.
• Distance: about 8 km return for the short version, or about 6 km one way to Corridor Ravine.
• Time: about 2 hours return, or 4 to 4.5 hours return to Corridor Ravine.
• Difficulty: easy to Slangolie, moderate to Corridor.
• Best time: early morning, because the path is stony and exposed to the summer sun.
• Fee: free. Dogs are allowed with an Activity Permit.

Maclear's Beacon

• Start: the Upper Cable Station.
• Distance: about 5.5 km return with 150 m of climbing.
• Time: 1.5 to 2 hours return.
• Difficulty: easy, 1/5. Follow the yellow footprints to Table Mountain's highest point.
• Best time: a clear day. Don't attempt it in low cloud or mist.
• Fee: the cableway, R475 return online or R530 at the office for adults. It runs weather permitting.

Chapman's Peak

• Start: the SANParks signpost at the lower end of the large parking area below the main viewpoint on Chapman's Peak Drive, Hout Bay side.
• Distance: 5 to 5.5 km return to the 593 m summit, about 450 m of climbing.
• Time: 2 to 3 hours.
• Difficulty: moderate. The first 30 minutes are steep, with a short scramble at the top you can avoid.
• Fee: the hike is free, but the drive is a toll road. Check toll and road status at chapmanspeakdrive.co.za.

Elephant's Eye Cave

• Start: Silvermine Nature Reserve parking near the dam, or Tokai Arboretum.
• Distance: just under 8 km.
• Time: 2 to 5 hours; about 3 hours is typical.
• Difficulty: fairly easy, with a steep final stretch to the cave.
• Best time: go early, on a weekday if you can. There is little shade.
• Fee: Silvermine is a pay point, about R44 for SA adults.

Devil's Peak

• Start: Tafelberg Road, about 2.5 km past the Lower Cable Station.
• Distance: about 6 km return with 585 m of climbing.
• Time: 2.5 to 3 hours return.
• Difficulty: moderate, with steep switchbacks and a light scramble at the top.
• Best time: early, on a calm day. It is windy and fully exposed to the sun.
• Fee: free.

Which one for what

• First hike in Cape Town: Pipe Track or Maclear's Beacon.
• Sunset: Lion's Head, with a group and a headlamp.
• Big day out: Kasteelspoort and the Diagonal.
• Forest and shade at the start: Skeleton Gorge.
• Only with a guide or experience: India Venster.

What to wear

Hike in proper kit: trail shoes with grip, a technical layer and a waterproof shell in your pack. A dress is not hiking gear.

The dress is for after. The Wild Lounge Set (R1 650) is soft knit for the drive home on tired legs. For a late lunch in Camps Bay, change into the Nusa Top (R1 199) and Shio Pants (R1 800). Linen breathes, and the pants hold up when the wind picks up. Pair the hike with a cold dip from our tidal pools guide.

Amaya delivers across South Africa for R99, free over R1 500. Cape Town takes 1 to 2 working days, Johannesburg and Pretoria 2 to 3, the rest of South Africa 3 to 5. Collect in Sea Point for free. The first exchange is free within 14 days.

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Updated October 2026. We update this guide every season.