Article Courtesy Cape Town Tourism
With a mountain range as its backbone,
Cape Town offers some of the most spectacular hiking routes in the world.
Before you decide on a hiking route up Table Mountain, take a look at these tips to keep yourself safe and
comfortable on our trails.
Don’t
hike alone
A party size of four is recommended and
if you’re travelling alone, hike with a guide like Hike
Table Mountain, Table Mountain Treks and Tours or Mother
City Hikers. Don’t split up—rather take the pace of the slowest member.
Be
prepared
Take enough water (at least a 1.5L
bottle or two per person) and wear sunblock, proper hiking shoes, and a hat.
Check that the weather is hike-friendly the night before and take a warm jacket
for mountain hikes as conditions can change rapidly. If you’re intending to
take the Cableway on Table Mountain, remember operation is weather-dependent.
Check the Table
Mountain Twitter feed for the latest updates or call their weather
line on +27 (0)21 424 8181.
Tell
somebody & plan ahead
Always inform someone at your hotel or
in your family of your intended route and your expected time of return. Check a
map of your hike before setting off so you are sure where you need to go.
Always take the well-trodden path and look out for small painted footprints or
piles of rocks (Cairns) to verify you’re on the right track.
Know
what to do in an emergency
In the event of injury or other serious
trouble stay in one place and find shelter. Do not move the injured person
unless they are in a dangerous position. Do not leave the injured person
alone—if possible send two people for help, while one person stays behind. Make
a detailed note of where the injured person is, and look out for landmarks to
navigate back to the spot.
In the event of snakebite, immobilize
the person and lay them flat on their back. Do not give them food or water. Get
help and keep the victim very calm—shock and adrenaline is a major factor in
the progression of snake bite symptoms. In the event of contact with the
blister bush (a plant resembling common celery) cover the area from sunlight to
avoid skin irritations and the eruption of blisters.
Be
responsible
Please don’t litter, feed any animals,
or disturb the wildlife on your hike. Be considerate of others and don’t play
loud music. Smoking or lighting any kind of fire endangers the area and should
be avoided.
Save
these emergency numbers on your phone:
Emergencies: +27 (0)21 480 7700
Table Mountain National Park: +27 (0)21 957 4700
Wilderness Search and Rescue: +27 (0)21 937 0300
Cape Town Tourism: +27 (0)861 322 223
Don’t hike alone; four is the ideal number.
· Choose
your route carefully and stick to it. Allow yourself enough time – start early.
Inform someone of your route and what time you’re expected back.
· Choose a
hike leader and walk at the pace of the slowest member.
· If lost –
don’t split up. Rather try to retrace your steps. Remember that climbing down
is more difficult than climbing up.
· Always
take enough water, especially in summer, and food in case of a delay. Watch the
weather and time, and turn back before you start running late or if bad weather
threatens.
Always take waterproof clothing, even in summer, wear walking
shoes or hiking boots. Wear a hat or cap and sun block in summer. Weather changes
rapidly.
· If lost or
forced to stop because of bad weather, stay together and remain in one place.
Find the closest shelter from wind and rain.
· In case of
injury, assess the situation. Then send two people for help and let the third
remain with the injured person. If possible, mark the position on a map and
send it with those going for help.
· Stick to
well-used paths, which will be indicated on the park’s hiking map and read the
warnings on this map. Don’t take shortcuts and especially don’t wander into
ravines.
· Take a
fully-charged mobile phone. Some parts of the Park do not have mobile network
coverage, but you will reach a place where you can use a mobile phone more
quickly than you’ll get to a landline.
3
Rules for personal security when hiking Table Mountain National Park
As Table Mountain is an urban park,
please exercise the same common sense and security precautions that you would
anywhere else in the world.
· Do not attract unwanted attention by
openly displaying cash, cameras or other valuables.
· If you are confronted by a criminal,
don’t resist. Handover your goods as resistance might incite a mugger to
violence.
· Program emergency numbers in your
cell phone before your hike.
