Five Cape Town hiking trails for beginners

Cape Town hiking routes are plentiful. Here are five easy and insanely scenic ones to try out this summer if you're a relative beginner.

Sep 9, 2022 - 10:13
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Five Cape Town hiking trails for beginners

Cape Town hiking routes are plentiful.

The beauty of exploring Cape Town lies in its inclusivity and accessibility to people of varying fitness levels.

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Visitors to the area may feel a little intimidated by some of them though. That’s why we’ve identified some of the easiest and most scenic hiking spots in the Mother City. Start with these and you’ll never go back.

cape town hiking
Views from the top of the flat rock, aka Table Mountain. IMAGE: @jamofreemantle / Instagram.

Cape Town hiking trails for beginners

Lion’s Head

If you’re a Capetonian then you’ve probably scaled Lion’s Head at least once this week. There’s no wonder that it’s a popular hiking route, given the sensational views. It’s also relatively easy and only takes up a couple of hours of your time.

cape town hiking
The iconic Lion’s Head trail adorned by pink flowers. IMAGE: @jamofreemantle / Instagram.

The trails surrounding Lion’s Head are a delight for runners and hikersa alike, especially when adorned with pink flowers in spring. IMAGE: jamofreemantle / IG.

Kasteelpoort

Kasteelpoort is quickly becoming a firm favourite for families. It offers staggering views and the start of the pipe track is just five minutes from the Cape Town CBD. The first three kilometres are flat, and then you ascend Table Mountain, sipping water from streams along the way.

cape town hiking
Kasteelpoort is easily accessible from the Pipe Track and provides a launching point for other trails. IMAGE: @jamofreemantle/ IG

Kirstenbosch Gardens into Skeleton Gorge

It doesn’t get much more iconic than the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Meet your pals at the tea room and explore the panoramic beauty that surrounds you. Explore everything that the gardens have to offer including all of the indigenous flora & fauna and then consider your next move on the mountain.

cape town hiking
Pin-cushion Proteas in the foothills of Table Mountain at Kirstenbosch. IMAGE: @jamofreemantle / IG.

Skeleton Gorge

If you feel like a proper hike from Kirstenbosch, tackle Skeleton Gorge. It’s doable for the whole family but it certainly elevates the heart rate. At the top you’re greeted by full dams and beach sand. It’s worth the effort. It’s also

cape town hiking
Skeleton Gorge isn’t scary as it sounds, and provides beautiful forest shelter. IMAGE: @jamofreemantle / Instagram

The Missing Link

No better feeling than getting out of the busier areas of the Cape Town Atlantic seaboard and hitting the trails. The Missing Link looks back on Lion’s Head and also offers elevated views of Victoria Road and Oudekraal. It’s stunning.

cape town hiking
The Missing Link offers trail runners and hikers some space away from the city. IMAGE: Kyle Kingsley / kylekingsley.com

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