KASTEELSPOORT MEANS CASTLE GORGE IN AFRIKAANS
The Kasteelspoort hike, is an A-Grade trail situated on the Atlantic Seaboard side of Table Mountain.
It is an easy hike up Table Mountain, with much less visitors than Platteklip Gorge. This rewarding trail is filled with magnificent scenery. You will experience views over Camps Bay, Lion’s Head, the Twelve Apostles and the rest of the Atlantic Seaboard. Kasteelspoort is an ideal trail for those who do not feel comfortable with scrambling, but who want to hike up Table Mountain nevertheless. On the other hand, if you rather have a quick scramble route in mind, you will love the India Venster.
The Kasteelspoort hike is not as steep as most other trails on Table Mountain and the exposure to height is little.
Therefore it is a nice trail to use as a descent, as it has limited impact on your knees. The Kasteelspoort hike is easy and will take about 3.5 hours to hike to the top of the buttress, if you start the hike at the pipe track in Tafelberg Road. From the top of the buttress it is still approximately 3.5 hours to the top of the front table of Table Mountain, to the Cableway. During this stretch, you will walk through the Valley of Isolation, the Valley of the Red Gods, and Echo Valley. There are 3 ladders to negotiate, but it is not scary, dangerous or difficult to climb.
With a rich history, Kasteelspoort is an interesting trail to ascend or descend.
Duration of the hike largely depends on fitness levels and the size of the group. Although this is an easy route, it is still a hike of 10km, with an 800m elevation gain.
PLEASE NOTE: THE CABLEWAY MAY BE CLOSED DUE TO MAINTENANCE OR ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, IN WHICH CASE WE WILL WALK DOWN PLATTEKLIP. THAT WILL ADD +/-2 HOURS + R300 TO THE TRIP.
Price
1 Person – R1 800 pp
2-4 Persons – R1 200 pp
5+ Persons – R1 100 pp
*Max 8 persons.
**Excludes R210 pp for cableway ticket down.
It is also possible to cross Table Mountain by walking up Kasteelspoort. You will enjoy a packed lunch at the reservoir on top. From there you will descend down Nursery Ravine into Kirstenbosch, our Botanical Gardens. For this epic adventure, you can add a good 6 extra hours to the journey.
Price
1 Person – R2 500 pp
2-4 Persons – R1 800 pp
5+ Persons – R1 600 pp
*Max 8 Persons.
**Excludes R200 pp entrance to Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Surfboard rock is an iconic rock on Table Mountain. Undoubtedly an ideal rock to take some memorable pictures. Best of all is, a small detour will take you there!