Possibly the most Googled Hiking Route on Table Mountain, the India Venster hike tackles Table Mountain front (North) face starting from Table Mountain Aerial Cable Station. A 3-4 hour hiking route suitable for any averagely fit person not to afraid of heights - there are some exposed sections mid-height which require elementary rock-scrambling / climbing and is ideal for a guided hike on Table Mountain for this reason. Come hike India Venster with us!

Not your average hike! The hike is a varied offering of steep, even scrambling sections as well as some winding almost flat sections. India Venster starts up the North Face of Table Mountain and weaves through the rockbands to a point 100m directly below the upper Cable Station. At this point the path darts around onto the West face and traverses the length of Fountain Ledge overlooking Camps bay and from there joins the final section of Platteklip Gorge up the last section to the summit.



We have daily hikes leaving shortly after sunrise to avoid the sun-baked slopes which catch the sun an hour or two after sunrise due to their Northern aspect - by this time we aim to be deep in the gully and still in shadow. If the cable car is running, we take the 5min ride down, however it is important to be prepared to walk back down in the even that the car is closed due to strong winds.



Grade: 2

Ease: Easy-Moderate

Exposure: **

Duration: 3-4 hours



Student Discount: Ask Us

Climb Table Mountain with some of the most experienced mountain guides in South Africa. To Rock Climb on Table Mountain ranks very high (pun intended) on many climbers bucket list - whether you have just learned to climb, climb mostly indoors or if you are a seasoned pro. Nowhere else can you so easily access rock climbing of the highest quality, directly above a metropolitan city with ocean views to boot! Abseil in, climb out - come climb on Table Mountain with us!

Climb Table Mountain with some of the most experienced mountain guides in South Africa. To Rock Climb on Table Mountain ranks very high (pun intended) on many climbers bucket list - whether you have just learned to climb, climb mostly indoors or if you are a seasoned pro. Nowhere else can you so easily acces rock climbing of the highest quality, directly above a metropolitan city with ocean views to boot! Abseil in, climb out - repeat.

Come climb on Table Mountain with us!

Integral Ascent:
A traditional "ascent" of Table Mountain North Face - from bottom to top. This gives a great sense of having climbed Table Mountain and involves hiking then rock-climbing then some more hiking and then finish with more rock climbing. Total height-gain c650m with 8 pitches of rock climbing. We then descend via Cable Car, if it is running, else a 1hour walk down. An early start is required to avoid the sun.

Jacobs Ladder:
THE classic on Table Mountain. Clean and sustained climbing with a very airy travese in the middle, guaranteed to make you feel high. Simply exquisite, 'Jacobs' is not for those with a fear of heights. The best way to look down on the Camps Bay and Clifton dwellers, occassionally used to finish the integral ascent. Ideal for people who have climbed outdoors at the grade.

Arrow Final:
The original finalè to the integral ascent, this route climbs the striking narrow face directly below the top cable-station. Often accessed via abseil this route offers suberb postion and easy climbing with views from the Atlantic all the way to false bay and is ideal for beginners. Remarkable for the grade!

Atlantic Crag:
Perched high above the Western Seabord, this superb route weaves it's way around some of the most impressive (and difficult) cliffs of the mountian, and gives a sense of big, airy climbing at a very moderate grade. Oft used to finish the integral ascent. Ideal for the beginner or first outdoor climb.

Staircase:
Perched high above the Western Seabord, this superb route weaves it's way around some of the most impressive (and difficult) cliffs of the mountian, and gives a sense of big, airy climbing at a very moderate grade. Oft used to finish the integral ascent. Ideal for the beginner or first outdoor climb.

For the Hard & Strong:
Table Mountain is home to the hardest (free) trad route in South Africa - as well as (one of) the easiest. As such there are a host of sustained and challenging routes on offer. If you seek something a little more challenging than those listed above, please contact us to set this up.

Africa Crag:
Some of the finest technical, flowing climbing available at the grade! The climbing - move for move - is sustained and engaging with an airy traverse around a roof to add spice. Amazing route directly above the City.

The Cederberg Mountain Range (read wikipedia)is a wilderness mountain range home to some of the finest single & multi-pitch climbing in South Africa. The summits top 2000m above sea level and the climbing is found on most aspects. This gives ideal locations to hide from the summer heat by hiking to elevation and then climbing on the shady faces or, in winter to climb in the sun at lower elevations. The climbing is on featured sandstone set on the Western edge of The Koue Bokkeveld - if you are looking for a feeling of wide open space, The Cederberg will give you that.

Being 250km from Cape Town, this is at least a 2-day trip. A variety of options exist to cater for all skill levels and most weather conditions. Generally the options are
One day Sport Climbing + one day multi-pitch trad climbing with campsite camping or cabins
One day Sport Climbing + 2 days multi-pitch trad climbing sleeping 2 nights in natural caves! This option requires a high level of hiking fitness as the hiking to the caves is strenuous and requires us to carry ALL our equipment - sleeping, cooking (plus food), climbing equipment - 4-5 hours. As this is at altitude (2000m asl) this is NOT a winter option. Note: this option is not suitable for kids. Being a ways from any amenities, full hiking and climbing gear (good selection of clothing and food/water) needs to be carried to as well as UP the route.
Both of the above can accomodate begginers, intermediates, kids and adults alike.

The oldest, easiest hike up the centre cleft of Table Mountain North face. The hike follows a steep but well maintained foot path and crests the table-top midway between the cable car and McClears Beacon - the highest point on Table Mountain.

Guided Hiking on the oldest, easiest hike on Table Mountain. The route follows the centre cleft of Table Mountain North face ascending a steep but well maintained foot path and crests the table-top midway between the cable car and McClears Beacon - the highest point on Table Mountain. Hikes are graded for their technical difficulty and the grade is not necessarily an indication of how exposed or strenuous they are. Each hike does carry an indication for it's suitability level - easy | moderate | strenuous as well as an exposure rating out of three.

We have daily hikes leaving shortly after sunrise to avoid the sun-baked slopes which catch the sun an hour or two after sunrise due to their Northern aspect - by this time we aim to be deep in the gully and still in shadow. If the cable car is running, we take the 5min ride down, however it is important to be prepared to walk back down in the even that the car is closed due to strong winds.

Modelled on the famous Puffer run from Cape Point to V&A Waterfront which is a yearly event limited to 180 participants held over one day.
The PUFF DADDY aims to take the PUFFER...and make it friendly. This is a coached / guided event held 20-22 April 2018 and is designed to provide a learning or introductory platform for runners wanting to make the step(s) up to something like PUFFER. To this end we break the course into thirds, and limit the group-size to 7, allowing us to manage your experience.

Further we eschew many of the road/road-like sections often taken during the official event (as they help you WIN) and, as this is not a race, we explore the more wild trails between Cape Point and the CBD.

In a Nutshell
Day 1: Friday 20 April: Cape Point Nature Reserve

Start at the Southern most point of the Cape Peninsula. A relatively short but incredibly scenic day with spectacular views of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and False Bay.

14km and 750m of ascent.

Day 2: Saturday 21 April: Kalk Bay to Hout Bay

img_5620Starting in the quaint fishing village of Kalk Bay we ascend the mountain via trails used by fishermen. The plant life is spectacular and varied on this day offering lush forests and open fynbos stretches of very runnable terrain before descending to the suburb of Hout Bay. The descent is steep but oh so much fun.

18km and 1240m ascent.

Hout Bay has some great fish and chips for the best recovery nutirition.
A boat ride to seal island is an optional extra for the afternoon activities.

Day 3: Sunday 22 April: Hout Bay to Signal Hill above Cape Town

A steep climb up above Suikerbossie to the top of Table Mountain followed by some fantastic running along the Twelve Apostles. Passing Grootkop we run through spectacular rock formations. We descend after seeing the dams on top of the mountain. The final kilometers are past Lion’s Head with amazing views across the city and Robben Island.

18km and 1200m ascent.

Requirements and Provisions
You will need to provide your own trail running apparel and appropriate footwear and a hydration bag that can carry 1.5l of water and some snacks.
We will discuss specifics with you closer to the time.
We provide transport from the finish to the start of every day’s run.

The Western Cape has some very inviting-looking Alpine walls. A generally easy approach (though often overgrown) these routes are typically Alpine in nature:
Complex route-finding
The possibility of loose rock
An element of remoteness (making retreat or rescue / self-rescue a serious undertaking) - read my account here
coupled with, often, long descents
These undertakings are for experienced multi-pitch trad climbers, preferably with Alpine experience.

Du Toits Kloof
An hour's drive from Cape Town the national road snakes through Du Toits Kloof. Big Alpine walls on either side are dramatic, and inviting. Generally a long-day affair these routes involve 3 hour approaches followed by 5-8 hours of multi-pitch climbing and then a 3 hour descent.
Various grade options - 14-21 | 4b-6a+ | 5.7-5.11
Klein Winterhoek
The Klein Winterhoek Frontal is iconic. Bold and prominent (visible from town), this classic involves an afternoon walk-in followed by a bivi and then full day climb. Read an account here
Grade 16 | 5a | 5.8
Hangklip
The prominent peak behind the Hamlet of Hangklip on the Eastern Seaboard of the Cape Peninsular is not, technically, a country route. However it certainly shares some aspects of country-routing
big, complex and complicated to retreat
The pro's
short and easy (by country route standards) approach
easy grade (14 | 4b | 5.7)
easy descent