Cape Town’s Big Six: Table Mountain and the Cableway (1/6)

As a city, Cape Town’s known for its “Big Six” attractions – meet them all through SA Logue’s Cape Town Big Six tag!

Table Mountain and the Cableway

If ever a city had a majestic setting, it’s Cape Town. With Lion’s Head to the west, Devil’s Peak to the east, and the rearing promontory of Table Mountain standing guard over the City Bowl, a glance in any direction takes one’s breath away.

Cableway Dock

A visit to the top of Table Mountain is an absolute must, and, to get there, you can either hike up one of its steep gorges, or simply catch the Cableway.

• See: Hiking Up Table Mountain: Platteklip Gorge.

The first thing to do when planning an expedition up Table Mountain is to check the weather. If the mountain is draped with its famous “tablecloth” of clouds, or if there are high winds, it’s best to choose another day. A rule of thumb is: only go up Table Mountain when the Cableway is running. If the weather’s good enough for the Cableway, then it’s good enough for hikers who don’t know the mountain too well, too.

Cape Town from Above

• Cableway weather info hotline: +27 (0) 21 424 0015
• Cableway Street Map (Tafelberg Road)

Table Mountain is part of the aptly-named Table Mountain National Park, a string of mountains and reserves that runs all the way south to Cape Point, and that includes the famous, penguin-inhabited Boulders Beach. When you go up, you’ll want to pack a lunch, because the food and beverage prices on the mountain are comparable to those at ski resorts (i.e., outrageously high), and a camera, because you won’t see views like this again until your next trip!

Table Mountain & Cableway links:

Lion’s Head & Robben Island

• Table Mountain National Park (official site)
• Table Mountain Cableway (official site)
• Table Mountain Rescue Service (for hiking emergencies)
• Cape Town Big Six (official site)