Table Mountain Walks

Table Mountain Walks - some background information

Table Mountain Walks will be 11 years old in January 2008.  Having decided on a career change I saw the opportunity to start a business that specialised in guiding visitors on the mountain.  I completed the tour guiding course during 1996 and then initially unsure of which direction to take, the closure of the cablecar in January 1997 prompted me to start guided hikes up Table Mountain.

Having no prior in the tourism field, the beginning was sometimes trial and error in regard to marketing the business but basically it meant getting out there, letting people know what I was doing and building up a reputation for good service and reliability.  With the cablecar not running more people were wanting to walk up the mountain and often people with little or no hiking experience.  Luckily it all came together and soon a friend and fellow tour guide, Jill Lockly joined me for a number of years.  Jill is an expert on fynbos and has certainly contributed to my knowledge of the Cape’s flora.  Jill retired a few years back but fortunately Kim Wright was available to take her place.  Kim is a birding expert and a trail runner so quite a good combination for a guide on Table Mountain.

Mostly I lead the walks myself but during the high season and while I am on holiday Kim is there to take over and run the business.  This year wanting to explore further I was luckly to hike the Inca Trail in Peru and also do the trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.  Both fantastic experiences but make no mistake Table Mountain is right up there  and is not to be omitted from any visitor’s ‘must do’ list while in Cape Town.

Why walk?

Simply because your experience will be far more memorable and you will see a lot more no matter which route you choose to hike up Table Mountain.  You will be away from the cablecar passengers who are inclined to stay close to the upper station. You will experience the incredible rock face of Platteklip Gorge or the lush indigenous forest of Skeleton Gorge.  You will see the variety of fynbos, appreciate how extensive the mountain is and get to the best viewpoints.  There is the opportunity to get off the beaten track and explore the lesser know parts of the mountain - just make sure you set aside enough time!

Why guided?

Most importantly because of the safety aspect. Those unfamiliar with hiking Table Mountain often underestimate what they are undertaking and sudden changes in weather can leave one with very limited visibility, making the mountain a very different environment.  People get lost on Table Mountain on a fairly regular basis, some requiring the assistance of the search and rescue organisation  and some sadly injured and in need of medical assistance and hospitalisation.

Other than safety there is a lot one can learn about the mountain and often knowing what you are looking at makes it all the more interesting and memorable.  Table Mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage site on account of its unique flora and the geology of the mountain is testimony to a long and eventful history that culminated in its flat topped plateau.

So be sate and be informed and I have no doubt that you hike up Table Mountain will be the highlight of your visit to Cape Town.