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LOADING COORDINATES...
Up the Front Face
Platteklip Gorge is the most direct line up Table Mountain, a relentless natural staircase that climbs the cleft splitting the mountain's famous flat front. There is no easy way about it, the path goes straight up the gorge with Cape Town and Table Bay falling away below. At the top the ground levels into the broad summit plateau, and a cable car offers a ride back down for tired legs.
Duration
~3 hours up
Distance
5 km
Elevation gain
700 m
Difficulty
Strenuous
Summit
1085 m
The cable car runs from near the trailhead and most walkers climb up Platteklip and ride down, saving their knees on the descent.
The gorge bakes in full sun with no shade and the table can be swallowed by cloud in minutes. Carry water and turn back if the cloud comes in.