No walk in the park On every Capetonian’s doorstep, iconic Table Mountain is an adventurer’s playground amid an urban metropolis flat-topped mountain seemingly rising out of the surrounding sea and frequently sporting a thin tablecloth A of cloud cascading off its sheer edges, it’s no wonder the original Khoi-San inhabitants of the Cape gave it the name Hoerikwaggo, meaning ‘the mountain in the sea’. In November 2011, World Heritage Site-listed Table Mountain was selected as one of the New7Wonders of Nature – a stunning coup for South Africa’s most iconic landmark. This internationally acclaimed natural monument, protected within the Table Mountain National Park, is the quintessential image of our nation’s tourism capital, and quite rightly so. Photo: Stephen Cunliffe Photo: TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK * LARGEST HUMMER LIMOUSINE FLEET Photo: Stephen Cunliffe Stephen Photo: IN SOUTH AFRICA Situated at the southwestern tip of Africa, dominates the heart of the city, inviting weary Nek leg. Beginning at the cast-iron tower the predominantly open-access Table urbanites to don their boots and strike out for of Slangkop Lighthouse in Kommetjie and Mountain National Park encompasses the a leisurely walk or overnight hike. ending two days and 36km later on Hout Bay entire scenic mountain chain, stretching With the total distance of footpaths criss- Main Road at Constantia Nek, the powerful Limousine Extreme provides exclusive, fully loaded from Signal Hill in the north to the legendary crossing the mountain conservatively put appeal of this stretch of trail is its combina- Cape of Good Hope in the south. at 253km, mountain goers have a blister- tion of dazzling vistas and the rare chance and customised, luxurious limousines and other luxury The park comprises not only this narrow inducing array of hiking routes from which to lose yourself in the less-visited inner finger of land with its beautiful valleys, to choose. sanctums of the national park. vehicles for hire in Cape Town and surrounding areas. rocky coves and white-sand beaches, but The Hoerikwaggo Trail, winding its way Be warned, however, this overnight hike is also 1 000 square kilometres of seas and up and down the mountain chain, is the not for sissies! The first day is a sweaty 21km coastline that envelop the peninsula. premier Table Mountain hiking option and epic that has quite rightly been dubbed the Reaching its highest point of 1 088 metres probably the best slack-packing trail in the toughest day on the entire Hoerikwaggo. at Maclear’s Beacon, many people consider Western Cape. Open year-round, this five- But, the incredible views over both the Table Mountain to be no more than a lofty day trail crosses 97km of pristine mountain Atlantic seaboard and False Bay more than hill. But, what makes this mount so excep- fynbos as you trek the full length of the Cape make up for the toil involved in overcoming tional, is that nowhere else in the world does Peninsula. Hikers can opt either to through- this notoriously gruelling section. an area of such exquisite natural beauty and hike the trail in its entirety, or mini-hike more The first day started off peacefully enough rich biodiversity exist within the confines of a manageable chunks of the route. with a long stroll across the seemingly thriving and cosmopolitan metropolitan area. Due to working-week constraints, most endless white expanses of a deserted A truly remarkable recreational asset, Table Capetonians settle on hiking the trail in a Noordhoek Beach. We kicked off our boots Mountain National Park is the most visited series of two-day sections over the course and walked ankle-deep through the shal- in all of South Africa, annually receiving a of a string of memorable weekends. lows, letting the ice-cold seawater energise Tel: 021 590 8527 • Cell: 072 012 5384 staggering 4.2-million visitors. Orange Kloof is a very special and unique our feet en route to Chapman’s Peak. Along Enjoying unparalleled views over Cape area, indeed but, in my opinion, the ultimate the way we passed the 112-year-old wreck [email protected] Town, and its suburbs and surrounding two-day section of the Hoerikwaggo Trail of the Kakapo, its rusting hulk buried deep www.limousineextreme.co.za oceans, the rugged mountain chain is the Slangkop–Silvermine–Constantia in the shimmering sand. 62 *The Hummer H3 is available in black, white and platinum. TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Photos: StephenPhotos: Cunliffe Leaving the beach via a steep path through a we approached the overnight rest spot at the evening silence, it was hard to believe small patch of indigenous coastal forest, we the camp. we were still in the midst of Cape Town. took our time and savoured the last shade The thoughtfully designed camp boasts Day two began with a gradual uphill push of the day, as we began the long, strenuous comfortable safari-style tents with real beds: as we skirted around Constantiaberg and climb up the peak. At 593m, many hikers the perfect place to take a load off and rest then dropped down Blackburn Ravine Plettenberg Bay is one of the best all expect Chapman’s Peak to be a doddle, your weary legs after a long day on the trail. toward East Fort on the edge of Hout Bay. year round holiday spots in Africa! but the steep gradient, absence of shade Later that evening, we relived the day’s The cliff-hugging contour path continued With activities including forest hikes and a genuine sea-level start make this exploits as we sat around a fire under a its circuitous route around the mountain and mountain biking, treetop tours, fabulous path quite a challenge. However, gigantic yellowwood tree. As we munched and over the Vlakkenberg before eventually unforgettable animal excursions, the no one can deny it’s a scenic one: boasting on sticks of biltong and swigged ice-cold – descending to the main road, a mere stone’s beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest, whale stupendous views over Noordhoek, Hout and appropriately named – Tafel Lagers, the throw from Constantia Nek Restaurant. It watching, the highest bungy in the world, Bay and the Sentinel as well as a wealth of burning wood slowly morphed into red-hot was a tough ordeal to coax our leaden legs 2x Blue Flag Beaches and of course our mellow autumn and colourful flora. coals. Surrounded by tranquil fynbos-clad through the final kilometres, but when we winter. – Plett is ideally suited for a quick At the end of a long slog we were re- slopes and with only the sizzle of sirloin clinked beers at the finishing spot, we were 2010, 2011 Leading Beach weekend getaway, a romantic break, warded with the best seat in the house atop steaks hitting the barbecue grid to break the proverbial ‘happy campers’. Destination in Africa. honeymoon or a family holiday to be the peak itself, where we enjoyed a picnic at World Travel Awards what I believe to be one of the finest lunch- cherished forever. break spots in town! Trekking across the Table filtered drinking water, fully equipped com- Next up we tackled Noordhoek Peak but, Hikers should always wear sturdy walking munal kitchens and self-catering dining fortified from lunch, we cruised up the trail, boots, carry sufficient water and pack the areas. However, visitors need to provide ploughing our way through thick stands of appropriate weatherproof gear – ensur- their own bedding and towels. fynbos vegetation drenched in pretty coral- ing they are prepared for sun, wind or A guide is not mandatory, except to ex- coloured watsonia flowers. From Noordhoek rain – during any season when walking on plore the restricted trails through Orange Ridge, it was all downhill past Silvermine Table Mountain. Kloof; you can request a guide by contact- dam and on to Silvermine Tented Camp. The Hoerikwaggo Trail tented camps are ing the park office on +27 21 422-2816 or A diverse array of wildlife greeted us as located at Smitswinkel Bay, Kommetjie’s +27 21 465-8515. we descended the final stretch: dassies Slangkop Lighthouse, Silvermine and If you opt to forgo the guide, ensure (rock hyraxes) gave way to a Cape grysbok Orange Kloof, near Constantia Nek. Each you get a copy of Peter Slingsby’s Table bounding off the trail not far ahead; eco-friendly overnight camp accommo- Mountain National Park maps before you Spectacular Plett! five minutes later a tortoise lumbered dates a maximum of 12 hikers, offering set off. Slack packers can arrange to have across our path; and, finally, a small grey ablution facilities with hot-water showers, their bags shuttled between the overnight all year round... mongoose scuttled off the boardwalk as comfortable beds, barbecue fires and wood, huts for a nominal charge. 64 TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Hibernate in the beauty of Nature Few other places offer the tranquility and peace of mind that CapeNature reserves do. Ease into this winter and experience nature at its best. Photo: Stephen Cunliffe Stephen Photo: CapeNature reserves are nestled in some of the most breathtaking locations in the Western Alternative routes The overnight stop is at the idyllically But, if you follow my advice and tackle the Cape. Offering an abundance of self catering If this two-day trek sounds too much like located Overseers Huts. Hoerikwaggo, just remember the trails are accommodation and camping facilities, you can be hard work, then the overnight Hoerikwaggo Perched atop a cliff and overlooking the often brutally steep, distances can be taxing sure to nd the peace you are looking for. Table Mountain Trail, or the flatter Cape of southern suburbs, this is a grand place to and in summer you need to carry plenty of Goukamma Good Hope Hiking Trail may be a better fit.