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Home Western Cape Cape Town

Seven mother-of-all hiking trails to do in the Mother City

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Cape Town is certainly home to some magnificent hiking trails and spots. From Lions Head to Woodstock Caves, these seven hiking trails in the Mother City are a must for all adventure-loving, nature-enthusiasts…

Lions Head

Hiking Lions Head
Hiking path on Lions Head, Cape Town. Photo: Jens / Flickr

Quite possibly the most famous and popular hiking trail in the Mother City, Lions Head is an exciting and spectacular route that lets you experience the panoramic view of the sunrise over the city of Cape Town.

Admire the Atlantic seaboard and watch majestic Table Mountain come to light while seeing the sun appear from above the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Some scrambling along a couple of ladders and some exposure to height, but worth it all when you reach the summit.

ALSO READ: ‘Best city in the world’: Trevor Noah tells fans to visit Cape Town[watch]

Platteklip

Platteklip hiking trail
Start of the Platteklip hiking trail, Cape Town. Photo: The Backpack Cape Town / Flickr

Probably the second most well-known hiking trail in the Mother City (after Lion’s Head), Platteklip is not as easygoing, despite its popularity. Sure, there’s not much climbing or scrambling involved, but there’s a lot of upward walking, which probably makes it the ideal route for a workout. It also provides a direct route to the summit of Table Mountain, for those who think taking the cable car is for lightweights.

ALSO READ: V&A’s Cape Wheel reopens at new location with STUNNING views

Woodstock Caves

hiking trails
The view from the Woodstock Caves, Cape Town. Photo: Renier Moolman / Flickr

As the name suggests, the Mother City’s Woodstock Caves hike takes you to a large cave with an epic view of the area of Woodstock and surrounds. It’s a relatively easy and family-friendly hike, so be sure to pack a picnic and enjoy the view, shade, and tiny waterfall while you’re up there.

ALSO READ: Harmless fun? Otter in Simon’s Town tries to play ‘Tag’ [WATCH]

Skeleton Gorge

man walking up Skeleton Gorge
A keen hiker on Cape Town’s Skeleton Gorge. Photo: Ralph Pina / Flickr

This point-to-point walk across Table Mountain starts from Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Starting out as an easy stroll through the picturesque gardens, the trail gives way to the steeper ascent of the gorge. Once in the gorge, you are surrounded by magnificent indigenous forest which provides you with welcome shade and stunning scenery.

ALSO READ: Three SA spots listed among ‘100 of the World’s Most Loved Destinations’

Maclear’s Beacon

Rocks on Mclear's Beacon cape town
Unusual rock formations along the Maclear’s Beacon trail, Cape Town. Photo: Drumearn / Flickr

At 21 metres above the Upper Cableway Station, Maclear’s Beacon is the highest point on Table Mountain. Plaques at the Upper Cableway Station point you towards the beginning of the hike and from there on, the trail is marked by yellow footprints.

If you do the Platteklip and Maclear’s Beacon trails in one go, you can truly say you’ve hiked from the bottom of Table Mountain to the very top. Epic!

ALSO READ: ‘7 Cities to visit before you die’: Beautiful Cape Town makes the list!

Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch

Constantia Nek hike mother city
Hiking path from Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch. Photo: ELFIE_US / Flickr

A relatively easy walk on a dirt road and wooden track,  this trail consists of mild uphill sections but is mostly downhill and flat. Along the way, you will enjoy the greenery of Cecilia and Newlands forests and vast views of the slopes of Table Mountain, an aerial perspective of Kirstenbosch and views as far as the Cape Flats.

ALSO READ: 30 ways Cape Town has cleaned up it’s wetlands and waterways

Hoerikwaggo

Cape point hike cape town
The Hoerikwaggo hike through the Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Town. Photo: Nomads Nature Photography / Flickr

Hoerikwaggo is the Khoi-San word for “mountain in the sea”, an appropriate description for a hiking trail that takes you along cliffs that rise high above the shoreline and allows hikers to perch upon the precipice and gaze out at the vast ocean.

The Mother City’s unique location – between mountain and sea – gives rise to some of the most diverse and spectacular landscapes, which are on show, as hikers make their way along sandy beaches, up mountainsides and through flourishing fynbos fields.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY SUNDEEKA MUNGROO

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Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.

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