Platteklip Gorge hike is a scenic path to the highest of Desk Mountain. It’s probably the most fashionable mountain climbing trails in Cape City. The route presents breathtaking views of town and its environment. It may be walked up and down or mixed with the cable automobile. Visiting Desk Mountain is likely one of the not-to-miss things to do in Cape City.
Platteklip Gorge route overview
- Distance – 2,5 km from Tafelberg Highway to the Higher Cableway station, 5 km return
- Required time – 2-Three hours return
- Whole ascent – 650 m
- Whole descent – 650 m
- Start line – Tafelberg Highway, 1,5 km from the Decrease Cableway Station
- Ending level – the highest of Desk Mountain, 700 m from the Higher Cableway Station
- Issue – Three out of 5
- Terrain – footpath, rocky stairs
- Lowest level – 289 m
- Highest level – 1030 m
Platteklip Gorge excursions
Platteklip Gorge hike distance
The Platteklip Gorge hike is 2 km (from Tafelberg Highway to the highest of Desk Mountain). Add to this 700 m on the highest from the tip of the path to the Higher Cableway Station. When you stroll up and down the gorge it’ll be about 5 km.
When you’re in search of a shorter and simpler route with spectacular views in Cape City the Lion’s Head hike is an ideal path.
How lengthy does it take to stroll up Desk Mountain?
The ascent takes between 1 and 1,5 hours relying in your health stage. The descent is between 30 and 45 minutes. When you stroll up and down the Platteklip Gorge it’ll take you between 1h30 min. and 2h15min. Add to that point 30 minutes – 1 hour on the highest of Desk Mountain.
How tough is the Platteklip Gorge hike?
The Platteklip Gorge hike might be one of many best Desk Mountain mountain climbing trails. It’s undoubtedly a lot simpler than the India Venster hike. And a little bit bit simpler than the Skeleton Gorge and the Diagonal path. I might evaluate it to the Kasteelspoort Path. Platteklip Gorge remains to be a tricky 700-meters ascent to the highest nevertheless it doesn’t contain any scrambling, bouldering, ladders, or ropes. Any comparatively match particular person will be capable of stroll it. We used to stroll it up and down a few occasions a few times per week for coaching.
How excessive is Platteklip Gorge?
The overall ascent on the Platteklip Gorge from Tafelberg Highway to the highest of Desk Mountain is 650 m. The highest of the gorge is 1030 m above sea stage.
Platteklip Gorge hike place to begin
The path begins on Tafelberg Highway, 1,5 km previous the Decrease Cableway Station in the direction of Satan’s Peak.
The place does the route finish?
The Platteklip Gorge path ends on the highest of Desk Mountain, round 700 km from the Higher Cableway station and a pair of km from Maclear’s Beacon. As an alternative of strolling down you may take the cable automobile.
Methods to get to the trailhead?
The place to begin of the path is 6 km from the middle of Cape City and 9 km from V&A Waterfront. Driving is one of the best ways of getting round Cape City. You possibly can lease a automobile on the airport on arrival and drop it off on departure as we did on our final go to to South Africa. It was fast and straightforward.
When you don’t have a automobile you may get to the trailhead utilizing Cape City hop-on-hop-off bus. It stops on the Decrease Cableway station which is 700 m away from Platteklip Gorge. Utilizing Uber is straightforward in Cape City particularly to get round throughout the metropolis.
The place to park at Platteklip Gorge?
There isn’t any designated car parking zone shut by. The closest one is the Kloof Nek car parking zone, on the foot of Desk Mountain, Three km away from Platteklip Gorge. You possibly can park your automobile alongside Tafelberg Highway between the Decrease Cableway station and Platteklip Gorge. There are often open spots.
What’s on the highest of Desk Mountain?
The highest of Desk Mountain is an enormous space with water reservoirs, rock formations, strolling trails, and lookout factors. One can spend hours if not days exploring the realm. On the Higher Cableway station, you’ll find a store, a restaurant, and bathrooms. If you wish to proceed mountain climbing on the highest you may stroll to Maclear’s Beacon which is 2 km away. to Hely Hutchinson Reservoir, 6 km away, or all the best way to the Diving Board, 7,5 km away following the Aqueduct Path.
What’s the surroundings like on the hike?
The surroundings on the hike is spectacular. Strolling up the Platteklip Gorge you may see the Metropolis Bowl, V&A Waterfront, Lion’s Head, Blouberg Seashore, Robben Island, and lots of different of Cape City’s prime sights.
Plattelkip Gorge map
Platteklip Gorge route description
From the start to the tip, the path is pure ascent. The primary half is a steep ascent on a footpath, the second half is even steeper over rocks and boulders. The primary half of the path is uncovered to the solar. Total the ascent is hard however manageable. As for the descent, it’s a lot faster than going up nevertheless it’s fairly powerful in your knees. The stone stairs are excessive you principally bounce or climb down on a regular basis. You probably have any knee points I might counsel taking the cable automobile down.
When is one of the best time for mountain climbing?
The dry season between October and April is one of the best time for mountain climbing on Desk Mountain. For mountain climbing within the peak summer time months (December to February), it’s extremely beneficial to start out early within the morning to complete the ascent earlier than it will get too scorching. For mountain climbing the Plattekilp Gorge throughout the winter months it’s beneficial to verify the climate forecast to be sure to received’t get rain. The path will get slippery when moist which might result in accidents on the best way down. When you’re planning to take the cable automobile down affirm on the official web site that it’s operating. Typically it’s suspended as a consequence of sturdy winds.
Do I would like a information for Platteklip Gorge?
You possibly can hike with no information. The path is straightforward to observe, you don’t want GPS or another navigation. Although should you’re a solo hiker it is perhaps a good suggestion to hitch a tour.
Security ideas for mountain climbing on Desk Mountain
We’ve hiked on Desk Mountain numerous occasions together with many ascents and descents on the Platteklip Gorge and by no means had any points however folks do get mugged whereas mountain climbing. Listed here are some security ideas that can enable you to to remain protected.
- Don’t hike alone.
- Don’t hike late within the night.
- Weekends and public holidays are one of the best time for mountain climbing the Platteklip Gorge when there are various different folks on the mountain.
- Keep on the path and respect the indicators.
- At all times have a working telephone which you can name for assist in case of an emergency.
- Carry sufficient water, particularly within the scorching summer time months. There are not any water sources on the path.
What to pack for the hike?
- Snug sneakers
- Headwear
- Small backpack
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Sun shades
Please observe and like us:
The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (mountain 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 relatively than to do a 10 000 km highway journey (really any highway journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
