My 2025 Hike Review: Tackling Skeleton Gorge to the Top of Table Mountain
So, you’re thinking about hiking up Table Mountain. Of all the paths up this flat-topped giant watching over Cape Town, Skeleton Gorge is, well, something special. It’s actually a bit of a local legend, really. Unlike the more direct routes that bake in the sun, this trail offers a completely different kind of experience, you know? I went up this route recently, and frankly, it’s a real adventure from start to finish. It’s pretty much a mix of shady forest, some light rock scrambling, and seriously breathtaking views. It’s kind of a challenging day out, but the memories you make are honestly just amazing. This isn’t a simple walk in the park; as a matter of fact, it’s a proper hike that asks for a bit of sweat and effort from you.
Starting at Kirstenbosch: The Green Gateway
The whole thing, you know, kicks off inside the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. You actually have to pay an entrance fee to get in, which is sort of a heads-up that this isn’t your average trailhead. The first part of the walk is just so green and peaceful. You wander through these beautifully kept gardens, with birds singing and everything feeling more or less tranquil. It’s almost a little misleading, to be honest. The path is pretty gentle at the beginning, winding its way up through a dense, native forest. I mean, the air here is cool and smells like damp earth and leaves. It’s really a very, very lovely start, but don’t let it fool you, okay? The path, which is called Smuts Track, gets steeper bit by bit. You’ll definitely start to feel your heart rate pick up as you leave the manicured gardens behind and step into the wilder parts of the mountain. It’s still shady though, which is frankly a huge blessing, particularly if you’re hiking on a warmer day.
The Ascent Begins: Up the Wooden Ladders and Waterfalls
Alright, so this is where the fun really starts. After a steady climb through the forest, you basically get to the gorge itself. The path more or less becomes the stream bed, you know? You’ll find yourself stepping from one stone to another, with water sometimes trickling right beside your boots. It’s seriously cool. Then come the ladders. There are about six wooden ladders fixed into the rock faces to help you climb up the steepest bits. They’re actually very sturdy, so there’s nothing to be nervous about, but they absolutely add a bit of an adventurous feel to the hike. I mean, you’re literally pulling yourself up next to a small waterfall at certain points. The air gets cooler in the gorge, and the sound of the water is all around you, which is honestly quite a special feeling. This section asks for your full attention. You’re using your hands, you’re picking your footing carefully, and you are just completely in the moment. It’s sort of a vertical puzzle, and it is incredibly satisfying once you get to the top of it.
Honestly, take your time here. It’s really not a race, and you’ll want to save your energy, basically. Pausing to look back down the gorge you just climbed is sort of a must-do.
From Shady Forests to Sun-Kissed Fynbos
Anyway, once you’re past the ladders and the main part of the gorge, the landscape just totally changes. It’s almost like stepping out of a dark room into bright sunlight. The deep, shady indigenous forest opens up, and you find yourself out on the mountainside surrounded by fynbos. For instance, fynbos is the unique shrubland that grows all over this part of South Africa, and it’s absolutely beautiful. You’re greeted by a stunning variety of plants you won’t see anywhere else, and the views really start to open up here. You can look back and see the fancy suburbs of Bishopscourt and Constantia spreading out way below you. This change in scenery is a pretty good marker that you’ve done most of the hard, vertical climbing. The path is still going up, of course, but it’s a little less intense now, a little more of a steady walk.
The “Beach” on the Mountain: Hely-Hutchinson Reservoir
As I was saying, after climbing out of the gorge, you follow the path for a bit longer, and then you see something completely unexpected. I mean, seriously, it looks like a beach. The Hely-Hutchinson Reservoir is one of five dams on top of Table Mountain, and its shores are made of pure white sand. It’s pretty much one of the strangest and most wonderful sights you’ll find up there. Seeing that clear, dark water against the white sand with the mountains all around is just, well, amazing. This is definitely the spot where everyone stops for a break. It’s more or less the perfect place to sit down, take off your pack, and have some snacks and water. It’s incredibly quiet up here, a totally different world from the city below. To be honest, dipping your tired feet in the cool water is just the best feeling. You’re not at the top yet, but at this point, you’ll feel like you’ve already found a piece of paradise.
The Final Push: Reaching Maclear’s Beacon
After your rest at the reservoir, it’s time for the final part of the walk to the very top. From the reservoir, you are now on the ‘Back Table’, a big, rolling plateau. The path becomes a series of wooden boardwalks in many places, which actually helps protect the delicate wetlands and makes walking a lot easier. You can finally pick up the pace a little bit here. You’ll see Maclear’s Beacon, a large pile of rocks built by Sir Thomas Maclear in 1865 to help measure the curvature of the Earth, in the distance. This is the highest point on Table Mountain, at 1,086 meters. It is obviously your target. The walk to the beacon is fairly flat and gives you incredible 360-degree views. On a clear day, you can literally see forever. You see the whole city, Robben Island, the curve of False Bay, and the mountain ranges stretching out into the distance. Reaching that beacon and touching the rocks feels like a huge accomplishment, you know? It’s pretty much the perfect reward for all the hard work to get there.
By the way, it can get very windy and a lot cooler at the beacon, even on a hot day. It’s a good idea to have a windbreaker or an extra layer to put on while you’re enjoying the view.
Practical Tips for Your Skeleton Gorge Hike in 2025
Okay, so if you’re going to do this hike, here are a few things to keep in mind. At the end of the day, being prepared makes everything more enjoyable. This isn’t a quick walk; it tends to take between 4 and 6 hours from the start in Kirstenbosch to the Upper Cable Station, depending on your fitness and how many photos you stop to take.
- What to Wear: You should really wear layers. It’s typically warm in the forest but can get cold and windy on top. Good, sturdy hiking shoes with decent grip are absolutely a must, especially for the gorge section.
- What to Pack: Honestly, bring at least 2 liters of water per person. You might even want more on a hot day. Pack some high-energy snacks and a proper lunch, too. Sunscreen and a hat are non-negotiable, you know? The sun up there can be pretty strong. Also, make sure your phone is fully charged.
- Best Time to Go: Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are pretty much ideal. The weather is generally pleasant, and the fynbos is often in bloom. Summer can be extremely hot, and in winter, the gorge can be very wet and slippery.
- Getting Down: A lot of people, myself included, choose to walk from Maclear’s Beacon over to the Upper Cable Station, which is another 45-minute walk across the flat top of the mountain. From there, you can take the Aerial Cableway down. It saves your knees and offers, you know, just some spectacular views on the way. Just check in advance that the Cableway is running, as it sometimes closes for strong winds or maintenance.
Read our full review: [Skeleton Gorge Hike 2025 Full Review and Details]
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