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Table Mountain Cape Town
Discover Table Mountain Cape Town and
enjoy the awesome hikes
and cable car ride
Table Mountain Cape Town, spectacular backdrop to
the City bowl and world renown icon of the Western Cape, is an inseparable part of Cape Town. Edged
by impressive cliffs it rises 1086 metres above sea level with Lion's Head on its west flank and
Devil's peak on the east one, it towers as a natural amphitheatre over the City Bowl and Table
Bay.
Have you ever asked yourself just why it is actually called Table Mountain? Taking a good look
at its contours will give you the answer. It has got an uncommon flat top, making it look
something like a table from a distance.
Situated in the most northern region of the Table Mountain National Park, it is part of a chain
of mountains stretching from the perimeter of Cape Town right down the length of the Cape Peninsula
to Cape Point, a distance of approximately 50 kilometres.
Other famous paeks such as Devil's Peak, Lion's Head and Twelve Apostles among others, are also
part of the same mountain range.
The Table Mountain National Park with its great beaches and dunes, its beautiful valleys and
magnificent mountains, covers most of the Peninsula. It is internationally renowned as the habitat
of the unique Cape Floral Kingdom world-wide.
View of Table Mountain from Blouberg beach with Devil's Peak left and Lion's Head right
Table Mountain Cape Town South Africa - copyright © South African tourism
Table Mountain is a world renowned Icon and probably the biggest tourist attraction in the
Western Cape Province. For most visitors arriving in Cape Town, one of the first places to visit
is definitely this majestic mountain. Measuring about 3 km from the one end to the other, the
mountain's flat surface or "table" is well known for its "Table Cloth".
The glittering lights of Cape Town at dusk with Table Mountain as backdrop
Table Mountain Cape Town South Africa - copyright © South African tourism
So called by the locals, the phenomenon is in fact a layer of cloud cover that appears over the
top of the mountain when the southeaster is blowing. This happens during the summer months when
warm air rises behind the mountain and condenses into clouds on the surface of the Mountain's
top.
Viewing platform on top of table Mountain with the restaurant in the background
Table Mountain Cape Town South Africa - Photograph by Jamal Alyousif
A trip up Table Mountain, one of the most amazing natural settings in South Africa, will be
rewarded with breathtaking views of Cape Town with its gorgeous beaches and the two oceans. Next
to its aesthetic appeal the Mountain is home to a rich and diverse flora and fauna and is one of
the most concentrated areas of biodiversity in the world.
One of the most well-know vegetation types on the Mountain is the "fijnbos" which is part of
the Cape Floral Kingdom and which includes the glorious Protea. The King Protea (Protea
Cynaroides) is in fact South Africa's national flower.
Enjoy a breathtaking cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain
Table Mountain Cape Town South Africa
There are plenty of ways to get to the top of Table Mountain. Whether it is by cable car for
those who just want to enjoy the sightseeing, on foot, or by mountain bike for the fit and
fearless, there is a route to the top for everyone.
The easiest way to reach the top is by Cable Car, which really is a thrilling ride as you see
Cape Town slowly drop away beneath you, while the cable car's rotating floor gives you a 360
degrees aerial view of the city.
Stunning view of Table Mountain across Table Bay, taken from Blouberg beach
Table Mountain Cape Town South Africa
copyright © South African tourism
You can also opt for hiking and explore the mountain range with friends. Once on its 3 km wide
and flat top, you can stroll along its paths, enjoy the viewing platforms, soak up the panorama
and come to rest at the restaurant and cocktail bar.
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Table Mountain Cape Town
