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Woody Ravine Hike Cape Town | Table Mountain Complete Guide
Woody Ravine · 5 min read
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Hiked by Lee· Self-guided
Woody Ravine
South Africa
A classic Table Mountain day hike via Woody Ravine — steep ascent, Kasteelpoort descent and postcard views of Lion's Head and Cape Town.
Hiked by Lee
Self-guided
- Distance
- 14 km
- Duration
- 1 day
- Ascent
- 900 m
- Difficulty
- challenging
- Best season
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Style
- self supported
Overview
About this trek
Woody Ravine is one of Cape Town's hidden gems on the Table Mountain massif — a steep climb through indigenous forest to big-sky views over the city, Lion's Head and the Atlantic.
I hiked it after lockdown with close friends: snacks and beers at the top, then descent via Kasteelpoort back toward the city side. Allow a full day (5–8 hours) for the complete loop.
Watch the trail film, then compare with Platteklip Gorge and Newlands Circular Ravine if you're choosing your Table Mountain route. Read the complete guide for turn-by-turn narrative, then use the Trek Cost Calculator (ZAR day-hike model) and Packing List Builder for transport, snacks and summit-day 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
Platteklip Gorge
South Africa
1 day · 10 km · Challenging · Mar–May, Sep–Nov
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First-hand
Lion's Head
South Africa
1 day · 5.5 km · Moderate · Jan–May, Sep–Dec
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First-hand
Table Mountain
South Africa
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
View trek →
First-hand
Newlands Circular Ravine
South Africa
1 day · 16 km · Challenging · Mar–May, Sep–Nov
View trek →
Watch the trek
Primary guide first — then supporting films and packing videos.
Gear for this trek
What matters for this style of hiking — not a shopping list.
- Key requirements
- 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