Table Mountain - Home to Dassies, Naughty Pirates smoking Pipes, Legends and Table Cloths

Infact, Table Mountain's not entirely flat, being quite rocky with little pathways and scrub, stretching to 3km at its widest point. The mountain is sculpted from sandstone and rises some 1086 metres above sea level (3563 feet), which seems as high as Everest when you're down on Milnerton Beach!

Table Mountain from Milnerton Beach

As a special Thank You receive our report on "Where to Find Nelson Mandela in Cape Town" free, along with our three part bonus, "The Best Three Day Trips From Cape Town".

Just fill in the form below and we'll ask you to confirm your subscription.

Get your Free Membership now ...

One of the most fantastic things about the mountain, is that when you get up to the top, not only do you get the most incredible views out over the bay, down towards Cape Point and over the Cape Flats, but the feeling of space is amazing.

Somehow, going to the top of a mountain, you aren't expecting a lot of land, but there's great space to walk up there - you can spend the day hiking. So far we've only ascended to the top via the Cable Car, which it must be said, is quite the easiest, quickest and most used way to get there.

Climbing the mountain is very possible, but you really do need the guidance of an experienced person, who can take you up the best routes.

Here are the Ten Commandments that the Mountain Club of South Africa recommends that you follow if you want to hike up.

Remember; the Cableway may close at any time due to strong winds. Do not rely on the Cableway being open when you get to the top, if this is how you're planning on descending. Always leave enough time and light to walk down again. Hiking maps are sold at the lower cable station.

• Never climb alone. Four is the ideal party.
• Choose your route according to the ability, fitness and experience of the party.
• Go with somebody who genuinely knows the way, or use a map, guidebook, or description of the route by a person who has climbed it before. Allow plenty of time to get up and down in daylight.
• Until you know your way around, stick to recognised routes on well-used paths. Heed signs warning of danger and do not take short cuts or negotiate unknown ravines.
• Tell someone exactly where you are going (up and down routes and expected time of return) and stick to this plan.
• Every party should have a leader. Keep together and travel at the pace of the slowest. Never split up and go in different directions.
• Always go prepared for bad weather and take proper weatherproof and windproof clothing. Carry everything in a rucksack to keep arms and hands free.
• Always watch the weather and time and turn back as soon as bad weather threatens, or if the route is no longer easy to follow.
• Stay put in case of trouble. Don't try to force your way down in darkness or mist. Find shelter, especially from the wind.
• If you get lost or find yourself in an area that looks unsafe, retrace your steps. Do not push on into the unknown. If you can't find the path you left, look for a safe route - preferably down broad, open slopes - making sure at all times that you can retrace your steps.

Once on top of Table Mountain, it's not just the views that are spectacular. The animals, birds and flora are all equally as great. Dassies, which are rather like extremely large guinea pigs, scuttle about amongst the rocks, whilst the birds fly about with great aplomb. The flowers that we recognised are common to other parts of the world, flowers such as Watsonia, Erica, Agapanthus, but Protea, South Africa's national flower was also on show.

The mountain is home to approximately 1470 species of plants. Many of these are endemic, i.e. appearing nowhere else on earth. Included is the rare Silver Tree and the wild orchid Disa Uniflora. There's also a rare Ghost Frog to be found in the streams and moist, forested gorges found on the slopes.

Table Mountain is not only famous for its bulk, but for the 'Table Cloth' that covers the top of the mountain at certain times. Needless to say that travelling to the top of the mountain on days when the 'table cloth' is on, is a bit pointless, none of those spectacular views and can be quite cold.

Even on days when the cloudless blue sky and sunshine are on show, it's worth taking something a bit warmer to wear because it really is degrees colder up there!

The 'Table Cloth' is a thin, white cloud formation that rolls over the top like a waterfall, only to dissipate halfway down the slope. Legend has it that a retired pirate, Jan Van Hunks, sat smoking his pipe on the mountain one day and met up with the devil. In order to preserve his soul, the pirate challenged the devil in a smoking contest. So they stoked up their pipes and have been smoking ever since.

The Cloth appears because of the warm air coming up the South, running up the side of the mountain and hitting the colder air on top. The fascination of watching it disappear literally into thin air about half-way down can occupy you all day, especially if you're sitting at an open-air restaurant down in the Waterfront, with the warm sun on your back and a lovely glass of chilled white wine in your hand!

Table Mountain, as seen from The Waterfront, with its table cloth on

If you'd like to know more about the mountain, Cable Car ascent or the weather on any given day, this website will give you all the daily information you'll need for getting to the top.

Not found all the information you want?

Search our site with Google

	Web Magical Cape Town Vacations

The top of Table Mountain is well catered for with a stunning restaurant and cocktail bar, serving food all day and into the early evening.

What better way to start your day, than to hike to the top of the mountain for breakfast in what must surely be one of the most spectacular venues in the world! Or sit with a cocktail, as the sun sinks slowly into the sea ...

Enjoy your trip! Let us know how you 'Got to the Top' ...







To Return to Home Page, Click Here.