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Hiking on Table Mountain is very popular amongst locals and a must for tourists. The main feature of this famous mountain is the level plateau approximately 3 km from side to side and surrounded by steep cliffs. The highest point on Table Mountain is marked by Maclear's Beacon, a stone cairn, 1.086 m above sea level. The vegetation of the mountain is the unique Cape fynbos. About 1.470 species of plants are found on the mountain.
The most common animal is the dassie, but you'll find also porcupines, mongooses, snakes and tortoises. The last lion in the area was shot circa 1802. Leopards persisted on the mountain until perhaps the 1920's.
There are a lot of trails of varying difficulty available.
Because of the steep cliffs around the summit, direct ascents from the city side are limited to Platteklip Gorge and the tour direct under the Cable way.
Longer routes to the summit include the Back Table, a lower area of Table Mountain. Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorgetours start at Kirstenbosch. The route via Skeleton Gorge to Maclears Beacon is known as Smuts Track. The Bridle Path, or Jeep Track, makes a more smooth ascent from Constantia Nek.
Kasteelspoor, overlooking Camps Bay, is the most popular ascent on the Atlantic Coast.
