3 days in Cape Town: Table Mountain hikes, Cape Point cliffs and penguins

A hiking-first long weekend in the Mother City: up Platteklip Gorge, sunrise on Lion's Head, the clifftop trail from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope, and a swim with the penguins at Boulders Beach.

1. Day 18 am – 5:30 pm · 3 stops
2. 8 am1

   Hike up Platteklip GorgeCape Town

   The most direct route up Table Mountain: about 3km of relentless stone steps, all uphill. Start before 8am to beat the midday heat and the crowds. Fit hikers reach the top in about 90 minutes; everyone else should just keep a steady pace. Check the cable car is running before you set off, since it closes in high wind.

   19 min walk · 1.4 km
3. 11:30 am2

   Table Mountain summit trails and cable car downCape Town

   Walk the summit plateau to Maclear's Beacon, the mountain's highest point, and watch for dassies (rock hyrax) sunning on the rocks. Lunch at the cafe by the upper station, then ride the rotating cable car down; buy the one-way descent ticket at the top. Afternoon fares are cheaper after 1pm.

   9 min by train or taxi · 5.3 km
4. 2:30 pm3

   Kirstenbosch and the Boomslang canopy walkwayCape Town

   One of the world's great botanical gardens, on the eastern slopes of the mountain. The 130m Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, nicknamed the Boomslang, snakes through the treetops for views over the gardens, the mountain and the Cape Flats. Go on a weekday if you can; sunny weekends get busy.

5. Day 25 am – 4:30 pm · 4 stops
6. 5 am4

   Sunrise hike up Lion's HeadCape Town

   Start about 90 minutes before sunrise from the Signal Hill Road trailhead, with a headlamp for the dark climb. The 669m summit has a chains-and-ladders section near the top (there is a bypass path if heights are not your thing). Watch the sun rise over the city with Table Mountain behind you, then descend before the heat builds. Bring at least 1.5 litres of water.

   16 min by train or taxi · 16 km
7. 8:30 am5

   Chapman's Peak DriveCape Town

   The cliff-hugging toll road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, one of the great marine drives anywhere. Stop at the lay-bys where the cliffs drop straight into the Atlantic. Check it is open that morning; the road closes at short notice for rockfall risk or weather.

   8 min by train or taxi · 3.4 km
8. 10 am6

   Hout Bay harbour and lunch at Mariner's WharfHout Bay

   Working fishing harbour with the classic fish-and-chips lunch on the water at the wharf. From the harbour you can take the optional boat trip out to the Duiker Island Cape fur seal colony.

   11 min by train or taxi · 6.9 km
9. 1 pm7

   Elephant's Eye cave hike at SilvermineCape Town

   Easy 5km round-trip (about 2 to 3 hours) through fynbos from Gate 1 at the reservoir to a huge cave in the elephant-head-shaped cliff, with sweeping views over False Bay. Entry is a SANParks conservation fee and this gate is cash only. Finish with a swim in the Silvermine reservoir.

10. Day 38:30 am – 5:30 pm · 5 stops
11. 8:30 am8

    Cape Point lighthouse and cliff pathsCape Town

    Enter the reserve early (the gate opens around 06:00 from October to March) to beat the tour buses. Walk up to the old lighthouse or ride the Flying Dutchman funicular; the cliff paths have the best views on the peninsula. Keep an eye out for ostriches, eland and baboons in the fynbos.

    15 min walk · 1.2 km
12. 11 am9

    Coastal hike to the Cape of Good HopeCape Town

    The clifftop trail from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope sign: rugged coastline, the famous sign photo, and Dias Beach far below. Keep food out of sight; the baboons here are bold.

13. 1 pm10

    Lunch at Two Oceans RestaurantCape Town

    The reserve's restaurant at Cape Point with big ocean views; a natural lunch stop between the morning's hike and the penguins. Book ahead in peak season.

14. 2:30 pm11

    Boulders Beach penguin colonySimon's Town

    Boardwalks through a colony of more than 2,000 endangered African penguins, a few metres from the birds. The sheltered coves are swimmable, so you can share the water with them. SANParks gate fee, paid by card.

    18 min walk · 1.3 km
15. 4 pm12

    Simon's Town waterfront strollSimon's Town

    Historic naval town to close the day: the Victorian Main Road, the harbour, and the statue of Just Nuisance, the famous Great Dane. Then the scenic False Bay drive home via Kalk Bay and Muizenberg.