Hiking excursion up Kasteelspoort in Cape Town

This one of the oldest routes up Table Mountain and a very popular route that forms part of the 12 Apostles!

It is situated on the Atlantic seaboard of Table Mountain, offering astounding views of Lions Head, Camps Bay and Robben Island. In the heat of summer the route has early morning shade to the top of the mountain. This excursion has rewarding views over False Bay, Hout Bay and more, depending on the weather.

Route description
Kasteelspoort if translated into English means Castle Gateway. The excursion route starts at Theresa Drive in Camps Bay, where you'll start off on a cement path with a beautiful view of the Twelve Apostles ahead. You'll cross the Pipe Track, which then meets the Kasteelspoort route (309m/1013ft). The path climbs steadily upwards and is not very strenuous. There are some easy ledges to navigate along the way.

As you ascend you'll see the breathtaking views of Camps Bay below. Half way up at Breakfast rock (517m/1696ft) you'll have a snack break and enjoy the panorama over Camps Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and Lion’s Head. From here it is 30 minutes via the actual “poort” to the top at (742m/2434ft) where you'll visit the old cable station site (1893).

From here you'll walk along the old railway line towards Woodhead dam. You'll then traverse via St Michael Peak (900m/2953ft), which has beautiful views over the ‘Back Table’. You'll then descend into Echo Valley (897m/2943ft) and then the last uphill to that takes you to the Upper Cable Station.

Here you'll explore the Western Table to the Upper Cable Station and take the cable car down. If the cable car is not in operation due to strong wind or poor weather you'll walk down Platteklip Gorge (1.5 - 2 hours).

Altitude start: 182m (597ft)
Highest point reached: 1067m (3500ft) above sea level
Total rise in altitude: 885 m (2903ft)
Rating: Moderate
Time: Start to finish 5-6 hours to the upper cable station