Cape Town Hiking
Sunset on Lion's Head, the Platteklip Gorge route up Table Mountain, and the Chapman's Peak and Cape Point trails. See Cape Town on foot.
Designed for fit travelers: on day one, hike up Lion's Head for sunset. On day two, climb Table Mountain via the stone steps of Platteklip Gorge, take the cable car down, then relax at the botanical garden. On day three, walk the Chapman's Peak trail on the peninsula and the lighthouse trail at Cape Point. On the final morning, walk the Signal Hill and Sea Point trails before leaving. Stay in the Gardens district, close to the trailheads. Each trail takes 1.5–3 hours. Hike with a companion and check the weather.
Midsummer brings strong southeast winds and midday heat, while winter is rainy and foggy. Spring and autumn are best for hiking. During fire season, watch for trail closure notices.
Day by day
Day 1 · Lion's Head Sunset
About 25 minutes by taxi from the airport to the Gardens district. In the evening, take a 10-minute taxi to the Signal Hill Road trailhead. The round trip takes about 2.5 hours.
Sunset draws crowds. Bring a headlamp for the descent, which includes sections with chains.
Stay: Gardens and Tamboerskloof
Day 2 · Platteklip Gorge Up Table Mountain
Cape Town（Table Mountain、Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden）
Take a taxi early to the Table Mountain Road trailhead. The stone-step climb takes about 2 hours, then take the cable car down. In the afternoon, drive about 20 minutes to the botanical garden.
Bring plenty of water and a windproof jacket. If clouds roll in at the top, turn back immediately.
Stay: Gardens and Tamboerskloof
Day 3 · Chapman's Peak and Cape Point Trails
Cape Town（Chapman's Peak Lookout、Noordhoek Beach、Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point、Boulders Beach Penguin Colony）
Drive about 40 minutes to the Chapman's Peak trailhead. The round trip takes about 2.5 hours. Then continue through Noordhoek to Cape Point and walk the lighthouse trail, about 1.2 hours on the return.
Baboons live inside the Cape Point nature reserve, so don't carry exposed food.
Stay: Gardens and Tamboerskloof
Day 4 · Signal Hill and Sea Point Walk
Cape Town（Signal Hill、Sea Point Promenade）
In the morning, take a taxi to Signal Hill for an easy walk, then walk down to Sea Point for about 1 hour along the coastal path. In the afternoon, take a taxi to the airport, about 30 minutes.