Hardly a hidden gem, the Pipe Track is one of the more popular walks along the side of Table Mountain because it offers a relatively easy route and some of the most spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and Camps Bay.

Starting in the Kloof Neck car park below the cable station, you join the well maintained path which basically follows an old water pipe, built in 1887 to transport water from the Disa River on the top of Table Mountain to Slangolie Ravine. The path takes you along the foot of what is known as the 12 Apostles – the rocky buttresses which form the back part of Table Mountain if you are looking at it from the City Bowl, making you feel like you are in the wilderness when in actual fact you are within Cape Town city limits.

Overlooking Camps Bay the path meanders along, in and out of ravines carved out by streams which seem to appear straight out of the mountainside. There are a few paths which branch off of the Pipe Track which you can use to get to the top of Table Mountain, they are sign-posted as Woody Ravine and Diagonal Path and offer a challenging alternative to getting to the top of the plateau.

I would recommend setting off on the Pipe Track in the late afternoon so that you can watch the sun set – there are some amazing views on the way back too so be sure to have your cameras ready!

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