Thanks to its chain of mountains overlooking an equally beautiful string of beaches, Cape Town has quickly and rightfully earned its reputation for outdoor activities. Begin the morning on a mountainside hiking trail and end the day enjoying sundowners at one of the many pristine beaches – every day here will bring a new adventure.
Enjoy The Views From Table Mountain
Reaching the top, whether by the revolving cable car, a hiking trail, or a mix of both, is a rite of passage for locals and travelers alike. If you’re choosing the hiking route, there are many trails that lead to the top. The Kasteelpoort trail starts from Camps Bay and the Skeleton Gorge hiking trail starts from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. The most popular route is Platteklip Gorge, which ploughs up the front face. At the top, you can follow well-marked trails between viewpoints to the mountain’s highest point, Maclear’s Beacon, and even enjoy a meal at the restaurant.
Go Wine Tasting
The Cape’s Mediterranean climate makes it the perfect place for growing vines, which has created the oldest wine industry outside Europe. The breathtaking mountainside vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are a must when planning your itinerary. We recommend enjoying a gourmet picnic on an estate, such as Warwick or Spier, or jumping on board the Franschhoek Wine Tram – which will see you through multiple wine estates depending on your route.
Wander Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
A showcase of the Unesco-protected Cape Floral Region on the landward slopes of Table Mountain makes Kirstenbosch one of the world’s greatest botanical displays. Enjoy a stroll through, and a picnic amongst a biodiverse kingdom of forests, glades, and lawns, with little streams and flowerbeds of proteas. Don’t miss the valley of cycads, the wild almond tree, and the “Boomslang” canopy walkway, which snakes through the treetops of the arboretum.
Go Hiking
There is no shortage of trails in the Mother City. So whether you’re an avid hiker or looking for more of a leisurely stroll – there is a trail to suit everyone’s needs, while still showcasing the grand beauty of Cape Town.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed walk, you can join local dog walkers and trail runners on the Pipe Track, which follows the contour between the Twelve Apostles and the splendid curve of Camps Bay Beach. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, your trip will not be complete without hiking Lion’s Head. You can also head south to Silvermine Nature Reserve, where you can enjoy a range of trails above the fynbos-stained dam – which offers picnic spots and a place to cool off after a long hike.
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