Hike Table Mountain via the India Venster trail

Hiking Table Mountain is one of the best activities in Cape Town and the adventurous India Venster route is a classic! This challenging and spectacular ascent on the north face of Table Mountain offers stupendous views over the Mother City, Kloof Corner, Lion’s Head and Camps Bay. Visit the famous “Window” which together with India Ravine gives this route its name. This is a moderate to strenuous hike with some rock scrambling and exposure to heights. You need to be comfortable with exposure (vertical drops) and using your hands to negotiate a number of B-grade rock pitches. In the crux section there are steel staples and chains to aid the hiker. Adventure and views aside there'll also be a focus on interpreting the natural and cultural elements of Table Mountain and Cape Town which adds so much to your experience. Persons with genuine fear of heights / falling as well as persons with poor balance should not opt for doing this hike. A better alternative is Kasteelspoort.

Once on the summit plateau and successfully ascending 740 meters of rocky terrain we'll jump on the Cable Car for the quick trip down (R220 pp - weather permitting). We stroll over the summit area for about 30 minutes, after scaling the mountain, to savour the vistas however if you would prefer to linger longer on the summit and visit the cafe / restaurant then that's perfectly fine and we'll say our goodbyes at the Upper Cable Station. If it is very windy and the cableway is not operating then we need to hike down Platteklip Gorge which adds on an extra 1.5 hours. The cable car doesn't operate in high winds, and in July/ August every year it closes for maintenance. Check with us if booking in July & August. Tickets can be purchased on the top when we get there using cash or credit card. R220 per person