THE V&A WATERFRONT // Table Mountain

Table Mountain is an unmistakable landmark on the Captonian horizon. It can be recognized from anywhere in the city, and has even found its way onto the city flag. Its unusual flat top has recently earned it a spot on the New 7 Wonders of Nature list. It’s highest point is 1085m (3559ft) and can be reached via the Table Mountain Cable Car or on foot. From the top you can experience 360 degree views of the city.  

View of Table Mounta from Blouberg  © Wayfaring

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The weather in Cape Town has dissociative identity disorder.  A local once told me, “You can have all four seasons in one day here in Cape Town. Gotta love this crazy weather!”  As I mentioned before, the Table Mountain Cable Car is weather dependant. So when a frightfully hot and windless day reared its head, I fled for the mountain. 

Table Mountain covered by the "Table Cloth"

Fifteen minutes en route and another fifteen spent looking for a parking space.  The last cable car up was at 19:00 and it was 18:27.  I drove past a daunting line.  Luckily, I had purchased tickets online.  I walked in front of the queue, handed my ticket to the agent, exhaled and darted up the stairs. 

My ticket was part of a “Ride N’ Dine” special.  With it you aren’t allowed access to the mountain until 17:30, but once you reach the top you can grab a sundowner and toast to the sunset and also enjoy a meal from the café in the lingering light. 

I stepped onto the cable car with about 50 other mountain-goers, everyone fighting for a space by the window (Unnecessary.  After take-off, the cable car floor begins rotating so everyone has a fair chance to experience a 360-degree view of everything).  We glided over hikers, plants and rocky edges of the mountain.  The mountaintop got closer as the city grew tiny beneath us.  I am afraid of heights, but I managed.

Riding the car to the top

The shrinking city below

 

At the summit, everyone poured out and then scattered.  People had cameras out snapping away at the magnificent views; tops of neighboring mountains, clouds, lion’s head, devil’s peak, the city below.  

I ended up missing the sunset because I was inside the café fighting through the till line, but I was able to enjoy a slice of pizza and coke in the remaining soft light before heading down on the last car.  The ride down was even more spectacular than the ride up- the city was ablaze with lights and the mountainside was illuminated by dramatic ground lighting.

Just after sunset

The sparkling city of Cape Town

Although the weather often turns into gale force winds in the early evening causing the Table Mountain Cable Car to close, a sunset atop Tale Mountain is a don’t-miss.

Tip: Bring a torch.  There are no lights on the parking streets and it can feel dodgy in the dark.