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How To Visit Table Mountain - Tips From a Tour Guide

For those researching how to visit Table Mountain, the main way to get to the top is by using the cable car. There are also many accessible hiking trails. We also highly recommend going on a tandem paragliding flight afterwards to take in the surrounding view from in and around nearby Signal Hill.


Whichever way you choose to go up the mountain, you'll be blown away by the amazing views to the south and over the Atlantic Seaboard to the north. At the top, you'll find a restaurant, shop, epic viewpoints and waking pathways that allow you to explore part of this iconic mountain top.


While it is very accessible, there are some things to keep in mind when researching how to visit Table Mountain. In this post, we share some top tips from a tour guide to help you make the most of your experience.

Photo of Table Mountain taken from a paraglider flying over nearby Lions Head
Photo of Table Mountain taken from a paraglider flying over nearby Lions Head

Top tips for visiting Table Mountain:


Take a jacket


The weather at the top of the mountain can be very different from what you'll experience at the bottom. At a 1000-metre elevation, it could be about 10 degrees Celsius cooler up at the top, and sometimes quite windy, so it pays to be prepared for all kinds of weather, including rain.


Take enough water


If you are hiking up, be sure to take enough water, as some of the hikes can be strenuous. In the summer months, it can also get extremely hot. Our top tip is to bring at least a litre and a half of water when hiking, you can fill up your water bottle at the top. Also, be sure to wear the right footwear to make sure you're as comfortable as possible when hiking or walking.


Plan ahead


If you're planning to take the cable car up, purchase your tickets online on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway website before you go. You can keep a screenshot of your ticket saved on your phone. When you arrive at the ticket office, the attendant will be able to scan it. In the summer months Cape Town gets very busy, so having a pre-bought ticket will allow you to join the queue for ticket holders and shorten your waiting time.


Weather conditions in Cape Town can change very quickly, so be sure to plan your hike according to what's predicted. Table Mountain is often in the clouds, so it's best to plan your visit on a day that doesn't have a lot of clouds in the forecast. To find out about predicted cloud cover, check the "cloud cover (%)" on weather websites like Wind Guru.


Go early


Whether you're hiking up or taking the cable car, arrive early. Check what time the first car goes up and arrive 30 minutes early in summer, as this will get you in front of the line before all the tour buses and other visitors arrive. If you are hiking up in the summer months we also recommend starting early. Once the sun is up it will heat up quickly, so starting early will make the most of the cooler temperatures and you won't get as tired as when it's super hot.


Take a taxi/park and ride


If you can, take a taxi, as parking can be limited along the contour road below the cable car, unless you arrive early. If you do decide to drive there, there is a large parking area at the corner of Table Mountain Road and Kloofnek Corner. After parking, walk to the bus stop to take a free Mi City shuttle up to the cable car.


Go with a guide or a group


If you are hiking up, it's best to go with someone or in a group. Although crime is not really as much of a problem anymore on Table Mountain's hiking trails, it's good to have someone with you in case something happens and you need assistance. If you are travelling alone in Cape Town and don't have someone to come with you, you can contact us to arrange a guide to join you on the hike up.


Go paragliding afterwards!


Whether you decide to hike or take the cable car, visiting the top of Table Mountain can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so why not expand on it? To make the most of your trip, why not join us on a tandem paragliding flight? This is a great activity to do afterwards as our paragliding site is very close by. When you come down it's only a 10-minute drive to our paragliding site on nearby Signal Hill.


Book a tandem paragliding flight with Sky Safari


Now that you've learnt more about the ins and outs of how to visit Table Mountain, we look forward to hearing from you if you'd like to join us to see even more of Cape Town's breathtaking scenery. Remember that making a booking for all paraglide flights is essential.



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