Hiking Trails refer to specially designated routes for hikers to use. A hiker is a foot traveler; someone who goes on an extended walk usually for pleasure.
You may be wondering, what are the top 6 Hiking Trails in Cape Town, South Africa? The article covers the 6 best Hiking Trains In Cape Town for Beginners.
Cape Town’s hiking scene is thriving, thrilling and like nothing you’ve experienced before, and you better believe it encourages absolutely EVERYONE to get in on ALL the hiking action.
Going hiking is by far one of the top things to do in Cape Town. Let’s be honest, there is no better way to explore all the scenic beauty, landscapes, mountain ranges, and natural gems the Mother City has to offer than by going on the ultimate hiking adventure.
Here are some of the 6 best hiking trails in Cape Town for beginners…
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Kloof Corner Hiking Trail
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate level of difficulty
- Fitness level required: Low – moderate level of fitness required
- Start point: Tafelberg Road
- Average time to the top: About 20 – 40 minutes each way (depending on your fitness level)
- Approximate route distance: +/- 1.5 km
- Child-friendly: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes. However, Table Mountain National Park is under the jurisdiction of SANParks. This requires that dog-walkers have a Level 1 My Activity Permit (R305 per year).
The iconic Kloof Corner Hiking Trail is by far one of the best hiking trails in Cape Town for beginners eager to kick-off their Cape Town hiking journey.
Considered one of the easiest hikes on the Table Mountain chain, as well as one of the most popular and beautiful trails in Cape Town, Kloof Corner is definitely worth all the hype and praise it’s getting!
Lion’s Head Loop Hiking Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Fitness level required: Low level of fitness required
- Start point: Turn left at the Lion’s Head base
- Average time to the top: Approximately 75-minute walk (depending on your fitness and experience level) | Extremely fit individual can easily conquer it in record time
- Approximate route distance: +/- 5.26km
- Child-friendly: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes
The Lion’s Head Loop Hike is the perfect Cape Town hiking trail for novice hikers as well as beginner trail runners eager to take it to the next level.
As the Lion’s Head Loop trail consists of mostly flat sections, with very little uphill, it is regarded as one of Cape Town’s more effortless and easy hiking trails.
This in turn makes it one of the best hikes in Cape Town for beginners as well as families looking to do something fun, active, and exciting.
The Pipe Track Hiking Trail
- Difficulty: Easy level of difficulty
- Level of fitness required: Low – Moderate level of fitness required
- Start point: The junction of Tafelberg Road and Kloof Nek (you can park your car in the Kloof Nek parking lot)
- End point: Camps Bay
- Average time to the top: 2 – 4 hours (depending on your fitness and experience level) | The route is easy-going, although it becomes slightly tougher after passing by Slangolie Ravine.
- Approximate route distance: +/- 6km
- Pet-friendly: Yes. However, Table Mountain National Park is under the jurisdiction of SANParks. This requires that dog-walkers have a Level 1 My Activity Permit (R305 per year).
- Child-friendly: Yes
With incredible views over Camps Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Lions Head, and the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range, the Pipe Track is a definite hiking favorite.
The Pipe Track hiking trail is a pretty effortless and easy-going route as it’s generally all on the flat. This is a major bonus for first-timers, undeniably making the Pipe Track trail one of the best hiking trails in Cape Town for beginners as well as those looking to enjoy a more relaxed and laid-back hiking experience.
However, if you choose to start your Pipe Track hike from Camps Bay, the initial climb does require some effort. Irrespective of the steeper start, it is still an extremely doable hike perfectly suited to novice hikers as well as avid hikers of all fitness and experience levels.
Table Mountain Contour Path
- Difficulty: Easy
- Fitness level required: Low level of fitness required
- Start point: Numerous entry points on Tafelberg Road / Kloof Corner
- Average time to the top: +/- 1 hour
- Approximate route distance: About 5km from Kloof Corner to Platteklip Gorge
While it may be one of Table Mountain’s lesser-known hikes, the Table Mountain Contour Path hiking trail is an incredibly pleasant, laid-back, and easily accessible hike and/or trail run (for the fitter bunch).
Boasting stunning sweeping views of the beautiful Mother City, Atlantic Ocean, and Lion’s Head, the Table Mountain Contour Path is an exciting hike that will be thoroughly enjoyed by people/hikers of all fitness and experience levels.
Boomslang Cave Hike | Kalk Bay
- Difficulty: Easy
- Fitness level required: Low – Moderate level of fitness required
- Start point: Boyes Drive – Echo Valley
- End Point: Boomslang Cave above Kalk Bay
- Average time to the top: Approximately 2 – 3 hours (depending on your fitness and experience level)
- Approximate route distance: +/- 3.9km
- Child-friendly: Yes
The infamous Boomslang Cave Hike is one of Cape Town’s more thrilling and adventurous hiking trails. As it’s a relatively easy hike, it is perfect for hiking first-timers, families with kids, or adventure seekers looking for something exciting to do in Cape Town.
Boomslang Cave is located right above Kalk Bay and tunnels all the way through the mountain, undoubtedly making it an exhilarating bucket-list worthy experience in every way.
Echo Valley marks the start of your Boomslang Cave hiking adventure. From there it is a relatively easy climb as you simply follow the path through Echo valley for about an hour until you reach the legendary Boomslang Cave. Once you reach the cave, the REAL fun and games begin!
Lion’s Head Hiking Trail
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate
- Fitness level required: Mild – Moderate
- Start point: The Lion’s Head hiking trail starts at the car park on Signal Hill Road. Follow the trail which circles around the mountain to get to the top.
- End point: The end point of the hike is the Lion’s Head Summit. Once you reach the summit, make your way down the same way until you reach the initial starting point.
- Approximate route distance: The total length of the trail is 5,5 km (3,4 miles) both ways
- Average time to the summit: Between 1 – 3 hours (depending on fitness level)
- Total elevation: 669 meters (2,195 feet)
- Best time to hike: Sunrise & sunset
Standing tall at 669 meters above sea level, showcasing a beautiful panoramic view of the Mother City, Atlantic Ocean, Table Mountain, and beyond, Lion’s Head has established itself as one of the most popular Cape Town hiking trails for both hiking first-timers and avid hikers from around the world. In fact, hiking Lion’s Head is considered somewhat of a rite of passage.
As Lion’s Head forms part of the renowned Table Mountain National Park, it boasts rich biodiversity and diverse fauna and flora display – Making it the ultimate nature lover’s paradise.
Besides being one of the most sought-after hiking trails in the Mother City, Lion’s Head forms a vital part of Cape Town’s topography – Standing loud and proud amongst Table Mountain and Signal Hill.
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