The Diagonal Path is among the lesser-known Desk Mountain climbing trails. It begins on the Camps Bay aspect of the mountain from the Pipe Monitor and ends on the highest of Desk Mountain. The route provides breathtaking surroundings of the coast, the mountain vary, and Camps Bay. For the surroundings and the panorama, the Diagonal route is one in every of our favourite climbing trails in Cape City.
Diagonal route overview
- Distance – 11 km on the jeep monitor, 12 km on the Pipe Monitor
- Required time – 4-5 hours, relying on the chosen route
- Complete ascent – 680 m
- Complete descent – 680 m
- Start line – Theresa Highway, Camps Bay for the jeep monitor. Kloof Nek parking zone, Tavelberg Highway for the Pipe Monitor.
- Ending level – the highest of Desk Mountain, 700 m away from the Diving Board.
- Issue – Four out of 5
- Terrain – footpath, rocks, boulders
- Lowest level – 289 m
- Highest level – 844 m
Instructed excursions and actions
How lengthy is the Diagonal path on Desk Mountain?
It’s a 12 km return path in case you stroll on the Pipe Monitor from the Kloof Nek parking zone (Lion’s Head aspect) and an 11 km return path in case you stroll on the jeep monitor from Theresa Highway (Camps Bay aspect).
The place does the Diagonal route begin?
The ascent on the Diagonal route begins on the Camps Bay aspect of Desk Mountain, from the Pipe Monitor path. With a view to get to the place to begin you must stroll. You could have two choices. The primary one is to stroll on the Pipe Monitor from the Kloof Nek parking zone (the Lion’s Head aspect of Desk Mountain). It’s a 2.5-kilometer stretch. The second is to stroll on the jeep monitor from Theresa Highway (the Camps Bay aspect of Desk Mountain). It’s a 2-kilometer route.
The best way to get to the trailhead?
Driving is the simplest manner of attending to the trailhead. Total if you wish to go to locations outdoors Cape City’s Metropolis Bowl renting a automotive is the easiest way of doing it. You’ll be able to hire a automotive at Cape City airport on arrival and drop it off on departure.
You need to use the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus to get to the Diagonal Path. It stops on the Decrease Cable Automobile Station which is 1,5 km from the Kloof Nek parking zone.
Uber works nicely in Cape City and it’s not costly you should use it to commute inside the metropolis.
The place to park?
Should you begin on the Pipe Monitor then the Kloof Nek parking zone within the foothills of Desk Mountain is the most effective. We’ve parked our automotive there many instances with no issues. Should you begin on the jeep monitor then you’ll be able to attempt to discover a spot alongside Theresa Highway.
The place on Desk Mountain does the path end?
The Diagonal Path finishes on the highest of Desk Mountain (Camps Bay aspect), 700 m away from the Diving Board, a well-known rock cliff that reminds a diving board. The Higher Cable Automobile station is sort of removed from the top of the route. To get there you’ll must stroll 6,5 km on the Aqueduct Path.
As an choice, you’ll be able to descend on the Kirstenbosch aspect of Desk Mountain following the Skeleton Gorge climbing path. The beginning of the path is Three km away from the top of the Diagonal Path on the highest of Desk Mountain.
How troublesome is the Diagonal route?
It’s a difficult route with an extended and steep ascent of 680 m with the following descent. For my part, it’s tougher than the Platteklip Gorge hike however simpler than the India Venster hike.
The best way to mix the Diagonal and the Kasteelspoort trails?
The beginning and ending factors of each trails are located shut to one another. You’ll be able to hike to the highest of Desk Mountain following one route and descend following a special route. From our experience, I’d counsel going up on the Diagonal Path and taking place on the Kasteelspoort climbing path. The Diagonal Path is steeper it’s tougher to go down.
How a lot does the hike price?
To hike to the highest of Desk Mountain on the Diagonal path is free in case you don’t it by yourself. There is no such thing as a entrance price or every other admission. As an choice, you’ll be able to be part of a guided stroll. Then anticipate to pay round 80US$ per individual.
Diagonal route map
Diagonal path route description
Half 1. Kloof Nek parking zone to the beginning of the ascent
From zero km to 2,5 km. The stroll on the Pipe Monitor from the Kloof Nek parking zone to the beginning of the Diagonal route is sort of straightforward. There are small and gradual ascents and descents however general it’s a nice stroll appropriate for kids.
Should you stroll on the jeep monitor from Camps Bay it’s 2 km to the place to begin.
Half 2. The ascent to the highest of Desk Mountain
From 2,5 km to five,5 km. It’s a steep and lengthy ascent all the way in which to the highest of Desk Mountain. The start of it’s on a footpath, the second half is over rocks and boulders. The views of Lion’s Head and Camps Bay on the way in which are spectacular. On the highest, you’ll discover the Diving Board which is round 500 m away from the path. Should you stroll 1 km on the Aqueduct Path you’ll attain Woodhead Reservoir.
Half 3. The descent
6,5 km to 9,5 km it’s a steep descent. The descent on the Diagonal Path is steeper than on the Kasteelspoort Path. The gap is identical.
Half 4. Strolling again to the automotive
From 9,5 km to 12 km it’s a simple and flat stroll on the Pipe Monitor. Should you stroll on the jeep monitor it’s 2 km to get all the way in which down.
When is the most effective time for climbing?
The dry season between November and March is the most effective time for strolling the Diagonal route. Through the peak summer time months of December, January, and February it’s essential to start out strolling early within the morning to complete the ascent earlier than it will get too scorching. It’s not really useful to stroll the path on a really windy day particularly if you wish to take pictures on the Diving Board.
Should you stroll the Diagonal Path between April and October all the time examine the climate forecast to ensure you gained’t get rainfall as a result of the path will get slippery (moist rocks and muddy footpath) which is an issue for taking place.
What to tackle the hike?
- Water. There’s nowhere to purchase or refill water alongside the route. Take 1.5-2l of water per individual.
- Sunscreen. There is no such thing as a shade on the path you’ll be uncovered to the solar for 4-5 hours.
- A cap.
- Comfy sneakers. Path runners, sneakers, or mild climbing sneakers. Flip-flops aren’t appropriate for the stroll.
- A lightweight long-sleeve jacket or a long-sleeve prime. It’s typically chilly on the highest of Desk Mountain.
- A cell phone with a working SIM card in case of emergency. You should purchase an e-IM card for South Africa to remain linked.
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack fairly than to do a 10 000 km street journey (really any street journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
