I’ve been hoping to do this day hike for quite some time so when the opportunity came up I jumped at it!
This very spectacular hike started from the back corner of the Table Mountain range in Hout Bay, follows Llandudno Corner, up Llandudno Ravine and then once on top of the mountain, continues along the ridge around Judas Peak towards Grootkop Peak.
I’m planning to hike the entire range in one day, but I’m just looking for the right hiking partner to join me.
On Saturday morning we started early in thick fog. We all dressed in layers to keep warm. We started up the first stoney path cutting straight up the lower slope of the mountain side.
The first climb included a couple steep sections with pins that took some scrambling. It’s always more fun when the path is unpredictable.
We reached the first rest stop to catch our breath where the path levelled out at a gorgeous look out point where you can see both Hout Bay and Llandudno. Unfortunately everything down below was shrouded in a foggy blanket.
We pushed on along the contour above Llandudno towards Llandudno Ravine. The mountain seemed to be leaking water all along this stretch. And the water made the next climb a little more treacherous.
Our climb up the first section of the ravine was wet but we were aided by more steel pins that formed a crude ladder and a very rotten rope to pull ourselves up. The next climb through the ravine was difficult with loose shale stone and rocky steps all the way to the top.
The views from the top of the ravine were beautiful. It’s not often that you’re high above the clouds. It gave the illusion that we could have been on an aeroplane high in the sky.
We marched on along the upper ridge of table mountain around the base of Judas Peak and on towards Grootkop ahead.
It’s the very start of our flower season and I was pumped to get the first sightings of the early blooms. We’ve had a huge amount of rain this winter so far so I’m sure we will have an extra beautiful flower season to show for it!
Grootkop Peak loomed ahead of us promising to be a challenge for our already tired legs after the long ravine climb. But still we moved ahead.
Half way up the lower slope of the peak we decided to stop for lunch on a rock shelf that formed a natural balcony for us to sit comfortably and admire the views.
We pushed on up the the final ascent to the very top of Grootkop Peak to find the stone beacon. I did a little happy dance at the top to celebrate 834 meters of elevation for the day.
We made quick work of the descent of the peak and on to the mountain ridge where the backtracking began. I don’t do too many “there & back” hikes because I usually try to do a circular route to avoid walking the same paths twice, but this time we had no choice.
This mountain is surrounded by dangerous drop offs, cliff faces and rock falls. You just can’t take a chance taking a route that you don’t know.
The other danger is that we only saw 4 other people on our whole hike. This is quite unusual for this part of the mountain but the long weekend probably took all the regulars out of town.
The ravine descent was slow and steady as every foot step was accurately placed on the loose stones. And then just as our 3rd person was climbing down the rope and pins, the rope broke!!! Luckily he just had a small slide and managed to land on a rock on his feet, but the rest of us now had the task of sliding down the steep muddy slope on our bottoms, trying to find footholds. Unfortunately we looked like we’d had a case of the runs after the muddy slide, but a wet bum was the worst of it.
The final descent down Kloof corner was uneventful and quite a relief after the long day. We had been on the Mountain for 7 hours and it was definitely time to head home to watch the rugby with the in-laws.
This hike was more challenging than a quick morning walk on the mountain. The amount of time, the terrain and the fitness levels needed definitely call for a more advanced hiker and a well stocked camel pack.
Here’s a closer look at the route we took:
Don’t judge the pace too harshly, it was a tough terrain to managed and we were all hikers, not trail runners!
I hope you enjoyed the views!!!
If you’re ever in Cape Town give me a shout and I’ll take you out on a hike.
