Wood Buttress, is a very rewarding scrambling route on the Atlantic Seaboard, leading over one of the Twelve Apostles, situated at the back of Table Mountain.
This thrilling route has a fair amount of moderately easy scrambling. In other words, climbing up rocks using both arms and feet.The route is not very exposed. Above all, the rocks are made for climbing with plenty of hand- and foot holds available . Therefore it is an ideal trail for those inexperienced in scrambling. If you do not want to scramble, Kasteelspoort is the trail for you.
The altitude at the start of this trail is 330 m. Consequently, the elevation gain to the top of Wood Buttress is only 400 m, ending at 730 m. However, the top of Table Mountain, at the Cableway, will take you to 1060 m.
Only a few know the route over the Wood Buttress. Therefore you are likely to walk alone and experience nature.
It takes +/-3 hours to hike to the top of Wood Buttress at a comfortable pace, including photo stops and rest stops. The size of the group as well as fitness levels will largely determine the duration. During the hike, we can visit the Old Cableway, with the iconic surfboard rock in the background.
Like all the trails, you should be reasonably fit to hike the Wood Buttress. You must have no fear of heights! Fear will prevent you from having fun and might put you in danger, as part of this trail involves scrambling.
The descent
You can descend the mountain by Kasteelspoort or Woody Ravine, which will add +/-2 more hours to the hike.
Alternatively, you can walk through the Valley of Isolation and Echo Valley. The vegetation changes dramatically during this stretch, which certainly keeps it interesting. It takes +/–3 hours to the top of the front table of Table Mountain, from where you will take the Cableway down.
To the top – Price
1 Person – R3 200
2-4 Persons – R2 300 pp
5 Persons – R2 100 pp
*Max 5 persons.
Excludes R280 pp cableway ticket down.
PLEASE NOTE: THE CABLEWAY MAY BE CLOSED DUE TO MAINTENANCE OR ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, IN WHICH CASE WE WILL NOT GO TO THE TABLE TOP, BUT DESCEND ON KASTEELSPOORT. TO GO TO THE TOP AND WALK DOWN PLATTEKLIP WILL ADD R500 and +/-2 HOURS TO THE TRIP.
Crossing the mountain – Price
1 Person – R4 000
2-4 Persons – R3000 pp
5 Persons – R2 800 pp
*Max 5 persons.
**Excludes R230 pp entrance to Kirstenbosch Gardens for the mountain crossing route.
