This track was identified and mapped via high-resolution satellite imagery.
Platteklip Gorge Trail
The most direct route up the front face of Table Mountain. From Tafelberg Road the stone-stepped path climbs straight up the great gully that splits the mountain's northern face, reaching the plateau near the Upper Cable Station. It then continues across the summit plateau to Maclear's Beacon (1,086 m), the mountain's highest point.
Trail Map
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Trail Profile
General Instructions
Allow 2–3 hours to the top. The path is steep and fully exposed to the sun, so start early and carry at least 2 litres of water. Cloud can roll in within minutes. If visibility drops, take the cableway or descend Platteklip, and don't look for shortcuts. Hike in a group.
Weather check
Sampling Micro-Climate...
-33.9553, 18.4158
Slide to preview conditions across the entire route • Point: -33.9553, 18.4158 @ 385m
Quick Stats
Highlights
- Climb the gorge to the top of Table Mountain
- Walk to Maclear's Beacon, the mountain's highest point
- Look out over Cape Town, Lion's Head and Robben Island
- Watch the 'tablecloth' cloud pour over the edge
- Ride the cableway back down
Field Radio Protocol
VHF-UHF Communication
Propagation Telemetry
Ridge Line
92%Gorge Floor
18%Sector Relay: Sector Alpha Relay• 12-18 KM Range
Regulatory Compliance
VHF/UHF frequencies are for monitoring and emergency coordination only. Transmitting on these bands may require an Amateur Radio License or regional government permits. Check local telecommunications laws before operation.
Technical Analysis
Total Ascent
+725 m
Total Descent
-37 m
Ruggedness Index
Terrain Roughness Index
Vertical displacement per km. Typical range: 0 (Smooth) to 100+ (Extreme Mountain).
136.8
Tortuosity Index
Route Curviness Index
Ratio of actual path to straight line. Typical range: 1.0 (Direct) to 3.0+ (Switchbacks).
3.56
Gradient Distribution
Surface & Hydrology
Surface Spectrum Analysis
Includes only technical water fords where the vehicle actively enters a stream or riverbed. Permanent bridges are excluded from this count.
Difficulty Analysis
Difficulty is determined by a technical multi-vector analysis of elevation profile, surface quality, and topographic intensity.
Bounding Box (WGS84)
Point Spacing: 8 m • Engine: TrailX Precision GPX ANALYTICS v1.0.0
Reviews & Discussion0
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Before you go: Platteklip Gorge Trail
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