Cape Hike and Climb

16/10/2024

Join us for an epic adventure as we go off the beaten paths on the back table of Table Mountain. This hike involves some scrambling and exposure and is at least 6 hours long. Some fitness and hiking experience is required. Sorry, incorrect date - SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER!
Contact 072 625 3533 on WhatsApp to book your spot.
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08/10/2024

Happy 40th birthday hike to me. Finally completed a hike I've been wanting to do for a couple of years. Great group of people and dogs!
Spot the klipspringer in pic 2

.puppy
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06/10/2024

Sometimes you have to wait for the sunrise to get good.
Guided hike for
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29/09/2024

Perennial favourite, Lion's Head sunrise
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22/09/2024

My favourite hike on Table Mountain - Hell's Gates in Orange Kloof. A magical, wild part of the mountain, and after record winter rains, part of it is even wilder thanks to fallen trees. What a pleasure taking a group of friends, with some from drought stricken Namibia, into this lush, green, idyllic area.
Please note that Orange Kloof is a restricted area, and a permit and qualified mountain guide are required to hike in this area. It is also a dog free zone! If you are caught without a permit or with a dog, you are subject to on the spot fines.
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21/09/2024

Not quite the night, but the 21st day of September was spent raising money for the Wildlife Unit. Two hiking groups did different trails depending on ability. A group of us did the more adventurous West Peak in the Helderberg Reserve.
Thanks to Binny Ridgway for organising and to for providing snacks and for providing us with the gear. At last count, we'd raised over R36 000!
Pic 6 -
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05/09/2024

03/09/2024

12/07/2024

Last week, before all the crazy storms, there was a smaller cold front that brought good rain. So I went exploring on Table Mountain, found a cave, and played around with this timer selfie thingy... dogs got bored pretty quickly with that!puppy
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06/07/2024

NOTICE OF MOUNTAIN CLOSURE, TRAILS AVAILABLE

From 15 July, the Table Mountain Cable way, and all associated services at the top and bottom stations, will be closed until 1 September. However, this is not just the normal maintenance - 6km worth of cabling will be replaced, as well as other large maintenance projects. Roadworks on Tafelberg Road will also continue. As a result, TAFELBERG ROAD AND SEVERAL TRAILS ON THE CITY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN WILL ALSO BE CLOSED DURING THIS TIME.
Trails from Kloof corner through to, but not including, Platteklip Gorge will all be closed (including India Venster).
Platteklip Gorge will be open. However, to access this trail, hikers would have to either:
- Approach from Rhodes Memorial, adding 5km each way; OR
- Go through Deer Park above the city.
Both these paths take you through mugging hot spots. Neither nor have indicated they will provide extra security during this time.
As a result, we will not be providing guided hikes on the entire north face of Table Mountain, including Platteklip Gorge. We do not feel comfortable guiding guests through crime hotspots.
Having said that, there are dozens of other beautiful, adventurous, secluded, magical trails on Table Mountain (and beyond)just waiting to welcome you! Trails for all abilities and desires.
Contact us to help find you the perfect hiking adventure for your stay in Cape Town.
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30/06/2024

A couple of weeks ago, I spent a beautiful evening in Cape Point reserve with friend, Rob, from NZ. First time I ever took a photo with the sign!
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29/05/2024

The Shipwreck Trail in Cape Point is a lovely, relatively easy walk past 2 shipwrecks, the Thomas T Tucker and the Nolloth. We then head inland through lovely fynbos with spectacular views across the peninsula.
Fantastic morning guiding for with
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27/05/2024

One of my all time favourite hikes on Table Mountain, Hell's Gates in Orange Kloof.
A permit obtained by a certified hiking guide or a member of MCSA is required for hiking here. This is one of the few places on the mountain with old growth Afromontane forest. The permit process is to limit the number of people in this mostly untouched part of the mountain to allow the vegetation and animals to be as they always have, without humans messing it up, or dogs stressing the local animals. You have the rest of the mountain for your dogs - leave them out of Orange Kloof and try and respect the permit process and the environment.
it would be great if you had rangers stationed there, especially on weekends to enforce the permit system...

📷 9 and 10 by Pieter Cordier
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19/05/2024

I don't know their names.
I looked over and noticed the mountain's shadow, the lines in the cloud, the light on the couple, and their relaxed, intimate pose. I snapped the pic. Afterwards, I told them and asked if they wanted a photo with their phone. At the same time, someone else came up and also told the couple how adorable they looked, and she shared the photos she had taken with them.
I got the couple's permission to share this.

Sometimes, light and shadows just come together.
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20/04/2024

Join us on this beautiful hike next weekend! We'll head up Cecilia Ridge, make our way to Devilliers dam and go through the magical forest of the "Hole-in-the-Wall". Caveman's overhang has beautiful views out over Orange Kloof into Hout Bay and down the Peninsula. We'll then take the easier descent of the Jeep track.
The hike is about 6 hours, so some fitness is required. Please WhatsApp 072 625 3533 to join. R500pp, or R400pp if you book for 2 or more.
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19/04/2024

Heads up to folks wanting to hike Platteklip Gorge on the 20th - it will be busy with folks climbing it as many times as possible during the day to raise funds for various charities. So give them a high 5 to keep their spirits up, or better yet, make a donation! Two of the beneficiaries are Wilderness Search and Rescue and the Volunteer Wildfire Services. These guys do fantastic work on our mountains keeping them safe and helping people in their worst moments.

All the best to the participants, and thank you!

This Saturday, 20 April, sees the return of one of Cape Town's most beloved outdoor-based fundraising events – The 2024 Cableway Charity Challenge.

07/11/2023

Sundews. Amazing plants! In the Droser genus, they are found on 6 continents, with 194 species. Australia and South Africa have the most species.
They like growing in damp areas. On Table Mountain, I know of a few trails in particular where they grow in proliferation. I always point them out to guests, as they are very cool plants. They are carnivorous! They have a sticky, mucous-like substance on their red leaves that attracts and trap insects. The plant then secretes enzymes to digest the insect and absorb the nutrients. The soil in the Cape is very nutrient poor, so this is how these plants have adapted. I have told guests this many times but have never actually seen it. Until now! Note how the leaf on the corner of the wing has folded over to help hold the prey in place.

I don't feel too bad about the trapped butterfly, as it is an alien invasive cabbage white.
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06/11/2023

How appropriate to see this after my previous post!