Table Top Mountain Hike – How You can Spend the Day
Are you considering a Table Top Mountain Hike? Do you wonder why so many people can’t wait to reach the top of this majestic mountain? Well, it’s the type of experience you can’t really put into words, because it’s just too magnificent. For everyone who hasn’t had the liberty of visiting Table Mountain yet, here is what you can expect to see and experience.
Table Mountain
The Table Mountain Cable Car
That infamous cable car that takes visitors up and down the mountain has been operational since 1929.
And since it started travelling back and forth, more than 25 million people have taken the trip. It takes about 5 minutes to reach the summit of Table Mountain and you’ll be ascending about 1089 meters. As the cable car makes it way up the mountain, you can look at the hikers down below and all the beauty Cape Town has to offer.
Food and Drinks
One of the first places people like to go once they reach the summit is the Table Mountain Café. This is where you can enjoy some of the best South African foods, in addition to fresh salads and desserts. It’s a self-serving café, meaning you can walk around and look at all the delicious meals and snacks on display.
Table Mountain Café has a set time for breakfast and lunch, just like other restaurants, and the interior design is stylish and comfortable.
The Wi-Fi Lounge and Table Mountain Gift Shop
If you have some emails to check or social media pictures you want to post, make a turn at the Wi-Fi lounge. You’ll also find some light meals and snacks there. It’s a great place to just relax and take everything in.
In addition to the lounge and the café, there’s a gift shop. Here you can do a little shopping and buy things to remind you of your trip. Or, you can buy gifts for the friends and family who couldn’t join you.
Table Top Mountain Hike and Guided Walks on the Summit
For all the explorers, there are three hiking trails you can choose from. They will allow you to get to know the summit even better, in addition to giving you more views. You’ll also be at liberty to witness more of the incredible fauna and flora Table Mountain is renowned for. Or, you might opt for the guided walks that are family friendly and very informative. On these walks you’ll learn all about the mountain and interesting facts about the cable car.
Enjoy the View, Abseil and Watch the Sun Set
Once you’re on top of the summit, you’ll have a 360 degree of Cape Town. Now, imagine standing a thousand meters above the Mother City and looking down at it. Use the telescope to get a closer look if you want to, but the bird’s eye view is still incredible. Some people will tell you watching the sun set on Table Mountain is probably the highlight of the whole trip. For those who want some adventure before descending, there’s some abseiling thrills available.
Fauna and Flora
If you haven’t heard by now, Table Mountain is the home to some of the most beautiful and exclusive plant species in the world. More specifically, it’s home to the Fynbos species, which are threatened by erosion and fire. It’s also an endangered species. All in all there are almost 1500 different plant species to be seen on Table Mountain, and the National Park is the single floristic area on the planet.
As for the animal life, there’s an extraordinary range of birds, but it’s definitely not the only animal you’ll see. Do yourself a favor and find a quiet and secluded spot, then just sit for a few minutes. Among the animals you’ll definitely spot are dassies and lizards. There are also some rare frogs, such as the Table Mountain ghost frog. In terms of snakes, there are more than 20 different species, as well as South Africa’s largest rodent, namely the porcupine. Add to this the mongoose, tahr and eland, and you’ve got some amazing wildlife scenes waiting.
From the moment you step into the cable car, you’ll see how time flies. There is so much to see, do and explore when going on a Table Top Mountain Hike, you won’t want to come down.