Exploring Table Mountain
There's something quite special about having the tang of the salty sea air sharp in your nose, the whispering of plants caressing your ears and the magnificence of the world spread out at your feet from a vantage point high up amongst the clouds.Table Mountain is a glorious sandstone landmark that gave birth to Cape Town by influencing the climate, layout and growth of our Mother City.
The distinctive table shape of Table Mountain, oft times with a milky-white tablecloth of clouds draped atop it, is immediately recognisable even by strangers to South African shores. It is not a Mount Everest as mountains go, being just over 1 000m in height, but its shape has warmed the cockles of many a sailors' heart from a good 150 kilometres away. Table Mountain has been a distinctive beacon and important landfall for numerous ships exploring the waters of the world.
Right in the backyard of Cape Town, the national monument of Table Mountain is a playground of activities for all who come to the slopes and summits of her imposing peaks and ridges.
For those keen on stretching their legs and placing boot to path, there is a network of over 500 trails traversing the plateau known as The Table or up Lion's Head, Signal Hill or Devil's Peak. These intriguingly named points are cloaked in history and throbbing with rich stories of days gone by.
The magnificence of the views along route is spectacular and the mountain is home to more than 1 400 plant species. Keep your eyes peeled for bird life too, especially redwinged starlings, rock pigeons, sunbirds, sugarbirds and also the possibility of black eagles circling the skies up above. There are no dangerous large mammals on the trails but baboons can get a little cheeky so it is best not to encourage them. Other game to watch out for is the grey mongoose and rock hyrax, which you can quite easily spot sunbathing in the sun's rays in the early mornings and late afternoons. The combination of conservation and technology makes mountain biking an excellent method of exploring the lower slopes of Table Mountain in a green manner. There are some exciting downhill routes of around 5 kilometres with magnificent views across Table Bay. The terrain can be quite challenging because of the rocky slopes. A moderate level of fitness will ensure that the trip is exciting and comfortable.
If you're into great views and great food with minimal to no effort, the Table Mountain Cableway will get you from the base to the table-top where you can also enjoy a meal at the restaurant at the summit. The cableway is wheelchair-friendly and there are a number of trails that can easily be navigated on the plateau.
Table Mountain and its surrounds have many exciting activities to feed and nourish the soul of each visitor to its slopes. Simply participate and enjoy the life force emanating from this majestic mountain.
Lekker Local Tips:
* The weather on Table Mountain is infamous for its sudden changes. It is a good idea to take a windproof jacket with you for sudden drops in temperature.
* Should you wish to avail yourself of the many trails up and around Table Mountain, a handy suggestion is to make use of a guide. They are in a great position to share their knowledge of the area, fauna and flora as well as return you back safely. Table Mountain has claimed a fair number of lives in its past and many have been stranded due to injuries. Thick mists can easily disorientate hikers and thus it is best to enjoy the trails with an experienced leader.
