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Platteklip Gorge Hike Cape Town | Table Mountain Ascent Guide
Platteklip Gorge · 5 min read
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Hiked by Lee· Self-guided
Platteklip Gorge
South Africa
The classic steep route up Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge — fynbos, proteas and summit views over Cape Town and Lion's Head.
Hiked by Lee
Self-guided
- Distance
- 10 km
- Duration
- 1 day
- Ascent
- 1,000 m
- Difficulty
- challenging
- Best season
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Style
- self supported
Overview
About this trek
Platteklip Gorge is the most direct (and brutal) classic ascent of Table Mountain — a relentless uphill through indigenous fynbos from the lower slopes to the plateau.
My route started from Newlands Forest, climbing Platteklip to the summit for snacks, beers and views of Lion's Head before continuing across the mountain. It's a tough but rewarding Cape Town rite of passage.
Pair with the Newlands Circular Ravine guide for a full loop, or the Table Mountain overview to compare routes. Watch the trail film and read the complete guide. The Trek Cost Calculator and Packing List Builder cover ZAR transport, lunch and layers for a steep summit day.
First-hand notes from Lee’s self-guided trip — details live in the planning guides linked here.
Cape Town day hikes
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Newlands Circular Ravine
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1 day · 16 km · Challenging · Mar–May, Sep–Nov
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Watch the trek
Primary guide first — then supporting films and packing videos.
Film
Platteklip Gorge — Table Mountain ascent
Platteklip Gorge · 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