Platteklip Gorge hike on Desk Mountain

Platteklip Gorge hike is a scenic path to the highest of Desk Mountain. It’s probably the most standard 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 without doubt one of the not-to-miss issues 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 – 2-3 hours return
• Complete ascent – 650 m
• Complete descent – 650 m
• Place to begin – 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 – 3 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. For those who stroll up and down the gorge it’ll be about 5 km.

For those who’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 degree. The descent is between 30 and 45 minutes. For those who stroll up and down the Platteklip Gorge it’ll take you between 1h30 min. and 2h15min. Add to that point half-hour – 1 hour on the highest of Desk Mountain.

How troublesome 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 continues to be a troublesome 700-meters ascent to the highest but it surely doesn’t contain any scrambling, bouldering, ladders, or ropes. Any comparatively match particular person will be capable to stroll it. We used to stroll it up and down a few occasions a couple of times per week for coaching.

How excessive is Platteklip Gorge?

The entire 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 degree.

Platteklip Gorge hike start line 

The path begins on Tafelberg Highway, 1,5 km previous the Decrease Cableway Station in 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’ll be able to take the cable automobile.

The right way 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 may hire 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 simple.

For those who 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 simple in Cape City particularly to get round throughout the metropolis.

The place to park at Platteklip Gorge?

There isn’t a designated parking zone shut by. The closest one is the Kloof Nek parking zone, on the foot of Desk Mountain, 3 km away from Platteklip Gorge. You may 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 could find a store, a restaurant, and bogs. If you wish to proceed mountain climbing on the highest you’ll be able to 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’ll be able to see the Metropolis Bowl, V&A Waterfront, Lion’s Head, Blouberg Seaside, Robben Island, and plenty of different of Cape City’s prime points of interest.

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. General the ascent is hard however manageable. As for the descent, it’s a lot faster than going up but it surely’s fairly robust in your knees. The stone stairs are excessive you mainly bounce or climb down on a regular basis. You probably have any knee points I might recommend taking the cable automobile down. 

When is the perfect time for mountain climbing?

The dry season between October and April is the perfect time for mountain climbing on Desk Mountain. For mountain climbing within the peak summer time months (December to February), it’s extremely really useful to start out early within the morning to complete the ascent earlier than it will get too scorching. For mountain climbing the Plattekilp Gorge through the winter months it’s really useful to examine the climate forecast to be sure to gained’t get rain. The path will get slippery when moist which may result in accidents on the best way down. For those who’re planning to take the cable automobile down affirm on the official web site that it’s working. Generally it’s suspended because of sturdy winds. 

Do I would like a information for Platteklip Gorge?

You may hike with out a information. The path is simple to comply with, you don’t want GPS or every other navigation. Although for those who’re a solo hiker it could be a good suggestion to affix a tour.

Security suggestions 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 individuals do get mugged whereas mountain climbing. Listed below are some security suggestions that can allow you to to remain protected.

• Don’t hike alone.
• Don’t hike late within the night.
• Weekends and public holidays are the perfect time for mountain climbing the Platteklip Gorge when there are numerous different individuals on the mountain.
• Keep on the path and respect the indicators.
• At all times have a working cellphone you can name for assist in case of an emergency.
• Carry sufficient water, particularly within the scorching summer time months. There aren’t any water sources on the path.

What to pack for the hike?

• Comfy footwear
• Headwear
• Small backpack
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Sun shades

The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack moderately than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street 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.