Spanish Whenever you think of Mother City, the first thing that comes to mind is most definitely Table Mountain. This is undeniably the most famous South African landmark. The mountain lies ever so spectacular, whether it is covered by misty clouds or even against the clear cloudless blue skies.
Recently voted as one of the new world wonders, it is home to the richest floral kingdom on earth. At the North of the Cape Fold mountain range is where you will find it, with Lion’s head and Devil’s peak flanking it. Can you believe that the mountain’s flat top was once a plateau at the bottom of the valley? Incredible!
It is not just a mountain; it is a hiker’s paradise; one with numerous trails, a myriad of things to learn as well as spectacular views. It is way much more than a pile of rocks for sure. Being part of Table Mountain National Park, it prides itself on biodiversity like no other destination worldwide.
Table Mountain Aerial Cable Way
This is for all non-hikers. If you are not feeling the hiking vibe, the cableway will see you right to the top without having to move a muscle. Opened in the 1930s, the cableway has gotten over 22 million people to the mountain’s top, and effortlessly as such. Recently revamped in 1997, cable cars can comfortably handle about 65 passengers per trip. The cableway is the easiest, with each trip lasting about 5 minutes. The cars rotate a whole 360 degrees to give you an amazing view of the mountain below.
A Hike up the Mountain
If you are a hiking maniac, then going up the mountain on foot is an incredible experience. The cableway might be exciting and convenient, but a hike up is s richer experience. One of the most popular routes up is via the Platteklip Gorge. The ascent up may seem challenging, but you should conquer it in an hour or 3 depending on your level of fitness.
If you want to challenge yourself a little bit more, the India Venster route would be ideal. Completing the hike using it should take up to 4 hours. A word of caution; do not take it if you are not familiar with it or alone.
Flora and Fauna
Appreciating Table Mountain’s rich biodiversity does not need you to be a plant guru or nature nerd. Simply seeing it tells you that the area is well endowed with flora. There are more than 1450 floral species to be found in the area. The Fynbos, which are native to this area is an added spectacle.
There is so much to do and see up the mountain, so get your camera ready to rock and roll! This amazing destination for nature lovers will give you an experience worth a lifetime. Even if you visit it a second or third time, each experience is different and you can never get enough of the mountain.
