This AWE-INSPIRING 77 km long 5-day, 5-night guided luxury slackpack hike right across the Cape Peninsula mountain chain, from Cape Point right up to the Cable Car at the very top of Table Mountain, is indeed one for the bucket list.
Santie Gouws, aka the Fynbos Whisperer, a registered Mountain Guide running her own Mountain Guiding business in Cape Town, and the well-known kykNET hiking TV personality and author Erns Grundling, has teamed up to develop this unique guided and supported overnight hiking experience, offered only a few times per year.
The hike incorporates not only the Cape Peninsula's breathtaking mountain and ocean scenery, and an exquisite selection of flowering fynbos vegetation, but also a day of experiencing the Cape's Eastern Seaboard beach and tidal pool culture. Starting from the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula at the Cape Point lighthouse, the hike traverses the greater Table Mountain National Park all the way to the Upper Aerial Cable Station, perched on top of the iconic Table Mountain.
The overnight bed-and-breakfast hotel accommodation along the route has been hand-selected to provide hikers the best rest after a hard day of hiking. Luggage transfers on hiking days, overnight accommodation and all meals except lunch on day 3, are included in the price.
For bookings and more information about dates for 2024 and beyond phone or WhatsApp Santie at 082 566 1788 or send an email to [email protected]
Need to Know:
Location
Cape Town
Difficulty
Moderate
Permit Needed
Included in price
Distance
+/- 77km
Elevation Gain
Varies per day
Bookings
For bookings and more information about dates for 2024 and beyond phone or WhatsApp Santie at 082 566 1788 or send an email to [email protected]
Learn More About The Trail:
DAY 0 – ARRIVAL, MEET & GREET
No hiking today. Guests arrive early and stroll around scenic Simonstown after checking in at the beautiful boutique hotel accommodation. Welcoming dinner and compulsory briefing at the hotel in the evening.
DAY 1 - THE INTRODUCTION - CAPE POINT to SMITSWINKEL TENTED CAMP
19 km moderately difficult hike on mountainous footpath, +850 m/-700 m elevation gain/loss. Difficulty level 3.5/5. Features: Cape Point Lighthouse, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Exquisite mountain and ocean views
The first day of this epic hiking adventure follows the original Hoerikwaggo trail in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, across the eastern fynbos-clad hilltops of the remote southern Peninsula, with wildlife in abundance.
Guests are transported to the parking at the lighthouse right at the very tip of the Cape Peninsula, where the hike starts. The hike follows the hilly trail along the hilltops, fantastic vistas across False Bay all along the route, and out of the reserve to the Smitswinkel Tented camp, the night’s accommodation, just down the road. Guests are treated to a hearty South African braai at the camp for dinner.
DAY 2 - BOULDERS & PENGUINS - SMITSWINKEL TENTED CAMP to SIMONSTOWN
13 km moderately to more difficult hiking along some coastal footpaths with long sections across boulders and short sections on road, +150 m/-250 m elevation gain/loss.
Difficulty level 4/5. The difficulty lies not in the distance, but in that the boulder-strewn terrain has some sections where we have to scramble across large boulders.
Features: Remote boulder-strewn coastline, sea-cave with ancient shell midden, ocean views, secret beaches, and African Penguins
This day’s hike continues from Smitswinkel Tented Camp down to the beautiful beach at Smitswinkel Bay and continues northwards along the forgotten boulder-strewn eastern Peninsula coastline, passing some little-known beaches along the way. The views back towards Cape Point and across False Bay are captivating, with Table Mountain peeping out in the far distance ahead. The walk through the African Penguin Sanctuary as we reach Simonstown is the true cherry on top of today’s beautiful coastline hike. From here hikers continue onwards to the boutique hotel in Simonstown, the accommodation for the evening. Hikers dine together at a quaint local restaurant in the Simonstown harbour.
DAY 3 - BEACHES & TIDAL POOLS - SIMONSTOWN to KALK BAY
11 km, easy, flat hike along sections of road, beaches and promenades. Difficulty level 1.5/5.
Features: Relaxing day hiking along boardwalks, sidewalks and beaches, interspersed with some tidal pools with wonderful swimming opportunities, as well as some roadside cafés
After two quite strenuous days of mountain hiking and boulder hopping, day three promises some welcome relief as hikers follow the coastline to Kalk Bay, with lovely beach, coffee shop and cocktail breaks along the Cape Peninsula’s laid-back eastern seaboard. The hike also passes by quite a few tidal pools with great swimming opportunities before venturing up to the beautiful guesthouse overlooking Kalk Bay, the accommodation for the evening. After some more cocktails at one of the popular restaurants along the Kalk Bay coast, dinner is served at the guesthouse.
DAY 4 - SILVERMINE TRANQUIL FYNBOS SPLENDOUR – KALK BAY to CONSTANTIA NEK
23 km moderately difficult hike with moderate up and downhills the whole day, mostly on mountainous footpath, a short section of road and also some gravel road, +1000 m/-800 m elevation gain/loss. Difficulty level 3.5/5.
Features: Mountainous fynbos-clad hills of Silvermine Nature Reserve, Silvermine dam, brilliant views across False Bay
Today’s hike crosses Silvermine Nature Reserve with its exquisite display of fynbos, Table Mountain creeping closer and closer at every step.
The hike starts out from the guesthouse, and directly into the beautiful Silvermine Nature Reserve, through Echo Valley, above Kalk Bay. Apart from the pristine fynbos lining the mountain sides, there is also a beautiful forested section with indigenous trees and fascinating rock formations. After stopping for a lunch break at the Silvermine dam, where there is an opportunity to swim, the hike continues northwards on some gravel roads above the vineyards of Groot Constantia and up the hill across Vlakkenberg to Constantia Nek. The day’s hike ends at a famous restaurant on Constantia Nek, leading directly into dinner. After dinner hikers walk the last 500 m to a magnificent 4 star hotel, the accommodation for the night.
DAY 5 - THE GRAND FINALE – CONSTANTIA NEK to CABLE CAR via TABLE MOUNTAIN
11 km, moderate to more difficult scrambly, mountainous footpath with some height exposure, and ladders. +1200 m/-100 m elevation gain (if hiking down, steep downhill rock steps). Difficulty level 4/5.
Features: Camel Rock, De Villiers Dam, Nursery Valley, Hely-Hutchinson Dam, Secret mountain streams, Echo Valley, Front Table views across Cape Town, Table Bay and Robben Island
Finally, the grand finale, as the hike approaches the Cable Car from Constantia Nek on the last day, passing through and across some of Table Mountain’s most interesting and lesser known features.
Starting out from the hotel, the hike follows the ridgeline trail to the famous Camel rock formation and across the Back Table to the Hely-Hutchinson Reservoir and into Echo Valley, the last opportunity to treasure the absence of city views and noise, the air filled with a chorus of frogs that call the valley home. Finally hikers approach and hike up to and along the topmost edge of the iconic Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Robben Island, Devil’s Peak and the harbour in full view on a clear day, five days of glorious hiking ending at the upper aerial cableway, or if it is closed for some reason, hiking down via Platteklip Gorge.
*All distances and elevation gain/loss are approximate.
ERNST'S SIX ESSENTIAL FIRST ASCENT ITEMS FOR CAPE POINT TO CABLE CAR:
Tried and tested on our very first Cape Point to Cable Car Hike - in our view the Rolls-Royce of jackets. Bring on rain and wind, Cape of Storms... We are prepared.
2. Men's or Ladies Transit Down Jacket
You will never feel "down" in this lightweight down jacket, perfect for evenings during the Cape Point to Cable Car Hike, and super easy to transport. An essential item in your backpack or luggage.
3. Men's or Ladies Rove 1/4 Zip Fleece Top
A must-have item in your backpack, this top is lekker warm and comfortable but not bulky at all. Ideal to wear while walking, especially if it gets cold. Light and easy to store.
4. Men's Nueva Long Sleeve Shirt or Ladies Luxor Long Sleeve Shirt
Our first choice shirts for the Cape Point to Cable Car Hike. Breathable, super comfortable, quick dry and cool. Basically perfect. Wear one and pack two extra shirts in your luggage.
5. Men's Stretch Fit Hiking Pants or Ladies Trip Zip Hiking Pants
Durable and very comfortable, these pants will help you climb like a pro. We also tested these on our very first Cape Point to Cable Car Hike and they proved to be just like our hike: Epic! Also one of the very local few brands with great long hiking pants for ladies.
6. Dundee Hat
You can leave your hat on, and you should! :) Lightweight and versatile, this wide-brimmed hat will protect you from the sun, thanks to its UPF 30 rating. And you will look like a true explorer!