Table Mountain is the absolute pride and joy of Capetonians. Ever-present, regardless of whereabouts in the city you are, it looms authoritatively over its people as the Statue of Christ guards Rio de Janeiro's millions. Given its characteristic flat pinnacle, visitors to the top of the mountain can walk fair distances to gain dramatic views from all angles of the Cape below.
Cableway to Table Mountain
The Table Mountain cable cars set off from Tafelberg Road, which can be reached from the city center by car, taxi or via the 'Hop-on Hop-Off' red city sightseeing tour bus. A return ticket on the Cableway costs a pricey 160 Rand and the fare makes visitors wonder if the majority of Cape Town's residents will ever get to experience the top of their mountain.
The Table Mountain Cableway has been in operation since 1929 and has had the rotating cable car for twelve years. The circular cabin slowly spins as the car makes its ascent up the mountain, meaning that passengers can enjoy a 360 degree view and there's no pushing and shoving for the best spot, as everyone gets to share the panorama.
An Environmentally-Friendly Table Mountain
It's impressive to learn that a lot of thought has been put into conserving the environment in the Table Mountain National Park through the adoption of innovative measures. In high winds, for example, water tanks in the floor of the cable cars are filled with water to contribute additional ballast and greater stability. During wind-free weather, however, the water tank is emptied of its 4,000 liters of water at the Upper Station, supplying the Table Mountain Café with fresh water for visitors.
The Table Mountain Café takes environmental issues one step further. The restaurant only uses biocompostable plates and food containers. Not only does this eliminate water use as no washing up is required, but the throwaway dinnerware biodegrades into water, carbon dioxide and compost within weeks.
At the Top of Table Mountain
Getting something to eat or drink in the predictably expensive café at the top of Table Mountain is one thing that guests can do to leisurely soak up the view. However, it's a far more intimate experience to get away from the tourist cluster radiating out of the Cableway's Upper Station and follow one of the walking routes instead. The leaflet that accompanies Cableway tickets outlines three walks to undertake at the top of the mountain, all of which are described as being “very easy.” The walks, ranging from 15 to 45 minutes in length, take visitors along marked paths and offer various views over Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula and Platteklip Gorge. On a clear day, Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay and many other of Cape Town's attractions can be seen remarkably.
There is also a lot of flora and fauna to be seen at the top of Table Mountain, that is more likely to be seen on the paths away from the always-crowded Cableway Station, shop and café. Visitors are most likely to see the King Protea plant – South Africa's national emblem, and the dassie – a rock rabbit whose closest relative is apparently the African elephant. Various Sunbirds are often spotted, as are Black Eagles flying overhead. Lizards including the Southern Rock Agama and the Black Girdled Lizard are also frequently seen flitting around.
Beware of High Winds at Table Mountain
Worryingly, those in charge at Table Mountain make a huge point about how the sudden arrival of high winds can cause the Cableway to close without much warning. Some go as far to advise that visitors should not take the cable car up if they are not willing to walk back down the near-vertical mountainside in such an event. Hopefully such a situation would happen in extreme circumstances only, but it is worth bearing this in mind. In fact, they won't run the cable car at all if it's a windy day, which reduces the chance of throngs of anxious tourists becoming stuck at the top even further.
The key is to listen out for a hooter when at the top – this is the warning signal that the Upper Cableway Station will be closing imminently. Visitors must return to the station immediately and safely when the klaxon is sounded in order to return back to the bottom before it's too late.
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