Tackling Table Mountain: the India Venster Route

If you’re a hiker and/or in pretty good shape, do yourself a favor and climb Table Mountain via the India Venster Route. It is not for anyone with a fear of heights, or for beginner hikers. I wouldn’t recommend completing it without a guide or a local (thanks Alison!). It’s a stunning hike and must be started as soon as the sun is in the sky because the sun is STRONG!

The India Venster Route is considered the most dangerous and exciting route up Table Mountain. There are three main scrambles and, let me tell you, being only five feet tall is a major disadvantage. Nevertheless, I maneuvered myself up and through the scrambles, and had a blast while doing so. Even though there are only three scrambles, there are many large gaps and high steps. Expect to be on your hands and knees at places. Expect to do some rock climbing and rock scaling without the help of rails. Expect fantastic, rewarding views.

Three hours later, we completed the India Venster Route! Conquering Table Mountain was a powerful feeling, as it looks treacherous from a distance. Once at the top, you’re rewarded with remarkable views and a complete 360 degree view of Cape Town.

Travelers Tip: Take the cable car back down Table Mountain. Not only is it iconic, but the downhill route is steep, dangerous, and tough on your knees.

 

From Cape Point to Cape Town

For anyone that’s road tripping, you’re bound to hit Cape Point Nature Reserve, and for good reason! Definitely climb to the lighthouse at Cape Point, head over to Dion’s Beach, hike up the Cape of Good Hope, and observe the Mystic Cliffs as well. It’s truly a beautiful reserve, although a bit windy. The lighthouse, while iconic, seems a bit useless because of all the clouds that are always surrounding it, but it is said to be where the Flying Dutchmen haunts the oceans because the captain challenged a storm there and failed.

Travelers Tip: Bring a hat because there is no shade in the entire reserve.

 

From Cape Point, we drove through cutesy towns along the coast with breathtaking views, all leading up to the Chapman’s Peak Drive. It’s a fun drive with 114 curves offering gorgeous views of Hout Bay. Well worth it and definitely pull over to take a few photos like we did! Note that there’s a toll at the end of the drive for R38 (about $3 USD).

 

Prior to heading to our hostel in Cape Town, we drove up Signal Hill, which offered us our first views of Table Mountain! Man that thing looked daunting from below! Every day at noon a canon is fired off from Signal Hill, which traditionally was used as a means of synchronizing watches so that everyone was on the exact same time.