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Newlands Circular Ravine Hike | Table Mountain Loop Guide
Newlands Circular Ravine · 5 min read
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Hiked by Lee· Self-guided
Newlands Circular Ravine
South Africa
A full Table Mountain loop from Newlands Forest — Platteklip ascent, summit views and Kasteelpoort descent with friends.
Hiked by Lee
Self-guided
- Distance
- 16 km
- Duration
- 1 day
- Ascent
- 1,100 m
- Difficulty
- challenging
- Best season
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Style
- self supported
Overview
About this trek
The Newlands Circular Ravine route is one of Cape Town's best full-day Table Mountain loops — start in Newlands Forest, climb Platteklip Gorge, celebrate on the plateau with views of Lion's Head, then descend via Kasteelpoort.
My hike was as much about friendship and reconnection after lockdown as the summit — rocky trails, summit toasts and the reminder of why Cape Town's mountains are special. Plan 6–8 hours with fit company.
See also: Platteklip Gorge (ascent focus) and Woody Ravine (alternate Table Mountain line). Watch the trail film and read the complete guide. The Trek Cost Calculator and Packing List Builder help with a full-day ZAR budget and 2+ L water kit.
First-hand notes from Lee’s self-guided trip — details live in the planning guides linked here.
Cape Town day hikes
Compare other routes
Each hike has its own trek overview and complete guide — pick the line that matches your time and fitness, or open the Cape Town day hikes hub for the full menu.
First-hand
Woody Ravine
South Africa
1 day · 14 km · Challenging · Mar–May, Sep–Nov
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Platteklip Gorge
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1 day · 10 km · Challenging · Mar–May, Sep–Nov
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First-hand
Lion's Head
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1 day · 5.5 km · Moderate · Jan–May, Sep–Dec
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Table Mountain
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1 day · 12 km · Moderate · Mar–May, Sep–Nov
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First-hand
Cecilia Forest
South Africa
1 day · 10 km · Moderate · Apr–Sep
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Watch the trek
Primary guide first — then supporting films and packing videos.
Film
Newlands Circular Ravine — Table Mountain loop
Newlands Circular Ravine · South Africa
Gear for this trek
What matters for this style of hiking — not a shopping list.
- Key requirements
- Limited water availability requires treatment or carry capacity
- Appropriate broken-in footwear for terrain and distance
- Route navigation and backup maps
- Basic first aid and blister care for a day on the trail