Skeleton Gorge Trail – Table Mountain Summit loop from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Skeleton Gorge Trail – Table Mountain Summit loop from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
4.9
(41)
169
hikers
Skeleton Gorge Trail – Table Mountain Summit loop from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
06:22
16.6km
1,000m
Hiking
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: April 15, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Table Mountain National Park
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
2.77 km
Skeleton Gorge Trail
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
The route follows a stream from Kistenbosch Gardens, to the top of Table Mountain. The path is quite steep, and includes steps and ladders which makes for an interesting hike. Some places need hand grips and the surface can be slippery due to water or loose gravel. At the top, the area is relatively flat and you can hike around and the three small dams, and visit the stone quarry museum.
There are many routes to take once at the top. Go down back the same route, or take the stairs down nursery gorge back to Kirstenbosch. For an extra challenge you can hike to the cable car station at the top of Table Mountain, or take a long route down to Constantia. For an extreme challenge, go all the way up to Devil's peak.
The mountain area is not large and the peak is at relatively low altitude (1000m), however Table Mountain can experience heavy mist and clouds, high winds, rain, and snow, so take care and use common sense. It is not too easy to get lost in clear weather, although distances are longer than they look due to the rough terrain. Go with a group of people, take plenty of water, only visit during clear weather, and stay within your personal abilities.
My favorite time to visit is during the rainy season, from June to October, when the gorge has running water, although extra care needs to be taken as the path becomes slippery in places. Summer months tend to be excessively hot (34℃), so it is best to go early morning, or early evening (after 6pm).
Tip by
3.72 km
View of Cape Town from Skeleton Gorge Summit
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
5.68 km
View from the Summit of Table Mountain
Highlight • Summit
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5.76 km
Maclear's Beacon
Highlight • Summit
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8.11 km
View of Cape Town from Table Mountain
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8.24 km
Table Mountain Summit
Highlight • Summit
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8.72 km
View of Camps Bay from Table Mountain
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
13.5 km
Nursery Ravine
Highlight (Segment) • Gorge
Translated by Google •
Tip by
16.6 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
12.0 km
2.95 km
1.63 km
< 100 m
Surfaces
7.21 km
4.89 km
2.93 km
940 m
470 m
147 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Saturday 20 June
23°C
14°C
12 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free