Cape Town offers some of the most diverse and breathtaking hiking routes in the world, from the famous Table Mountain trails to the iconic Lion’s Head as well as Devil’s Peak, the second highest peak in Cape Town. Whether you’re searching for hiking routes in Cape Town, planning your first Table Mountain adventure, or comparing the many Cape Town hiking routes available, this guide is designed to help you choose the perfect trail — safely, confidently and with expert local insight.

As experienced hiking guides in Cape Town, we understand that many visitors first consider hiking Table Mountain without a guide. While self-guided hikes may sound tempting, the mountain’s fast-changing weather, complex path network and seasonal risks make guided experiences not only safer, but far more rewarding. Our goal is to highlight the routes, explain the difficulty levels, and help you decide which experience truly suits you.

Why Cape Town’s Hiking Routes Are Unique

Cape Town is home to dozens of official and unofficial trails, many of which are far more varied than visitors expect. Routes range from straightforward, family-friendly paths to challenging scrambles that require skill, fitness and navigation experience. The landscape shifts dramatically between fynbos-covered ridges, rocky gorges, shaded forests and panoramic cliff edges — sometimes all within a single hike.

The most popular Table Mountain hiking routes include well-known choices like Platteklip Gorge, India Venster and Skeleton Gorge, but there are many lesser-known options that offer solitude, better views or a more interesting combination of terrain. Likewise, Lion’s Head hiking routes are iconic for sunrise and sunset, but they also come with cliffs, ladders and chains that many hikers don’t expect.

Because of this complexity, many travellers search for guided hiking tours when planning their visit to Cape Town. Our guided hikes ensure you’re choosing the route that matches your ability — and that you experience the mountain in the safest and most enjoyable way possible.

Choosing the Best Hiking Route for You

The Cape Town hiking routes featured on this page are organized to help you quickly compare the key details: difficulty, route length, terrain, elevation gain, and price. Each route box includes everything you need to know at a glance.

But if you’re unsure about which trail fits your fitness level, weather conditions or travel schedule, we’re always happy to recommend the most suitable option. Some routes are ideal for beginners, while others are physically demanding, can be difficult to navigate, or include exposed scrambling sections that require a guide.

Even if you’re researching topics like “hike Table Mountain without a guide,” we encourage you to explore the descriptions below. Many hikers decide after reading more that having a guide makes the experience safer, more efficient and far more insightful — especially for lesser-known trails.

The Benefits of a Guided Hike in Cape Town

Hiring an experienced hiking guide in Cape Town goes far beyond safety. It transforms the hike into a deeper experience. We share stories about the mountain’s history, geology, flora and fauna; we show hidden viewpoints and alternative paths; and we plan around weather, crowds and seasonal conditions so you get the best possible outing.

Guided hikes also allow you to focus fully on enjoying the scenery instead of worrying about route-finding or steep sections. Especially on technical trails such as the India Venster or the more advanced Table Mountain scrambles, having a professional guide can make the difference between a stressful climb and a memorable adventure.

Browse Our Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak & Lion’s Head Routes

Below, you’ll find our curated selection of the main hiking routes we offer, each with a short description, difficulty rating, estimated duration and price. Whether you’re looking for a gentle walk, a challenging ascent or an iconic sunrise experience, we have a route designed for every type of hiker.

Simply explore the route boxes and choose the one that excites you — or contact us for a personalised recommendation. We know many more routes on Table Mountain, which are not specified on this page.