Devil’s Peak Table Mountain Hike
Difficulty
Moderate – High level of difficulty
Fitness Level
Moderate – high level of fitness required
Route distance
+/- 5 km
Start point
Tafelberg Road / Rhodes Memorial / Newlands Forest
End point
Tafelberg Road / Rhodes Memorial / Newlands Forest
Average time
+/- 3 – 4 hours (depending on your fitness & experience level)
LOCATION
There are three main routes heading up to the top of Devil’s Peak:
- Tafelberg Road Route on the city side: This is considered the easiest route and is best suited to beginners and less experienced hikers. It is a well-marked route which starts at the end of Tafelberg road about 2 km passed the lower cable station.
- The Mowbray Ridge route which starts at Rhodes Memorial: This route is considered a more challenging ascent to its counterparts.
- Newlands Ravine from Newlands Forest: Challenging route, but well shaded from the blazing sun.
HIKE OVERVIEW
While its name may strike fear into even the bravest of souls, the infamous Devil’s Peak Table Mountain hike is undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s top hiking trails for avid hikers from around the world.
Devil’s Peak is regarded as one of Table Mountain’s more grueling and challenging hiking trails and should therefore only be attempted by fit and experienced hikers.
Bird’s eye view of Devil’s Peak Table Mountain
As you look up at Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak is the larger of the two peaks on the Table’s right. Towering over Cape Town’s City Bowl at 1000m, it’s only slightly shorter than the highest point of elevation on Table Mountain – Maclear’s Beacon.
Eager and experienced hikers and daring thrill seekers find it particularly exhilarating to walk along the Saddle – the point that connects Devil’s Peak and Table Mountain – a real tick off the Cape Town adventure bucket-list. From there you can ascend to the Table Mountain summit where you will be rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views of Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, and beyond. The view itself is bound to render you speechless.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
There are three main routes heading up to the top of Devil’s Peak:
- Tafelberg Road Route on the city side: This is considered the easiest route and is best suited to beginners and less experienced hikers. It is a well-marked route which starts at the end of Tafelberg road about 2 km passed the lower cable station.
- The Mowbray Ridge route which starts at Rhodes Memorial: This route is considered a more challenging ascent to its counterparts.
- Newlands Ravine from Newlands Forest: Challenging route, but well shaded from the blazing sun.
Each Devil’s Peak route offers hikers a slightly different hiking experience. As these routes vary depending on their degree of difficulty, level of fitness needed, and extent of experience required, it’s crucial to choose the hiking route that is best suited to you. Although the Tafelberg Road route is known as the easiest option, with the Mowbray Ridge route considered the most challenging and technically demanding, neither of these Devil’s Peak trails should be underestimated. You will undoubtedly encounter some very steep and challenging climbs, as well as a few tricky and demanding parts to navigate along the way.
TO THE SADDLE
To reach the famous Devil’s Peak Saddle, the path starts by zig-zagging its way up the lower slopes of Table Mountain for about 20 minutes until you reach the contour path. From there, follow the sign indicating Devil’s Peak to the left. After enduring a bit more zig zagging and tough climbs, the path will eventually level out, ultimately leading you to the famous Devil’s Peak Saddle – The point that connects Devil’s Peak and Table Mountain. Here you’ll find a T-junction, which is a great place to take a quick break and admire the stunning sweeping view over the vibrant City Bowl, Lion’s Head, Atlantic Ocean, and beyond. From this point, there is only one path that will lead you straight up to the Table Mountain summit.
SUMMITING DEVIL’S PEAK
To reach the Devil’s Peak summit, follow the stream in the direction of Newlands Ravine until you reach the sign for Devil’s Peak (to the left). Don’t for a second underestimate the demanding ascent to the Devil’s Peak summit, it is extremely steep and in some instances it can be somewhat challenging and tricky to stick to the correct path due to erosion that has taken place over time. If you are able to successfully navigate your way, you should end up at a trig beacon to the left of the actual summit. Once there, head up the ridge for another 100 meters or so to reach the beacon at the top.
There are plenty of hidden gems and great spots scattered along the route where you can take a moment to sit back, relax, soak it all in, and enjoy the beautiful panoramic view and unapologetic natural beauty of the Table Mountain National Park before you head back down. When descending the mountain, you can either go down the same way you came up or make your way around to the front of Devil’s Peak.
TIPS FOR HIKING DEVIL’S PEAK
- It is important to ensure that you are fully prepared to take on and conquer Devil’s Peak as well as make the hiking experience as safe and enjoyable as possible. This includes wearing good hiking shoes and proper hiking attire as well as taking plenty of water, sunblock, a hat, and something warm along. Cape Town is notorious for its unpredictable weather – even if it looks like a sunny day, take that jacket with you anyway.
- While Devil’s Peak offers hikers an epic climb and spectacular summit view, the exposed peak means hikers need to take great care when navigating it.
- The hiking route can become incredibly wet and slippery, especially after a heavy rainfall. It’s important for hikers to pay extra attention to foot placement all the way throughout the hike.
- It is known to get extremely windy at the top, so make sure you hold onto your caps, and everything else too! If conditions become to dangerous, do not risk it. The wind is far stronger than you realize.
- If you are planning on taking a cable car down Table Mountain after your ascending hike, it is vital that you time your hike appropriately / properly to avoid missing the last cable car – Ultimately leaving you stranded.
- While Devil’s Peak is a grueling, difficult, and demanding hiking trail, requiring a great deal of stamina, and focus to reach the summit, be sure to take a moment (or a few) to enjoy and revel in the sheer excitement and beyond incredible nature of the experience as well as admire the untamed natural beauty and abundance of indigenous flora you’ll find along your route – You are hiking in the glorious Table Mountain National Park after all!
- Child-friendly: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, although the Table Mountain National Park is under the jurisdiction of SANParks, which requires that dog-walkers have a Level 1 My Activity Permit.
KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
In the event of an injury, threatening weather conditions or an emergency, stay in one place and find a spot that offers some form of shelter. In the case of an injury, do not move the injured person unless they are in a dangerous position. Don’t leave the injured person alone or unattended. If possible, send two people for help (depending on the number of people you’re hiking with), while someone remains behind to supervise. When you do go looking for emergency help or assistance, make sure you take detailed notes of where the injured person is, as well as look out for landmarks to navigate your way back to the spot.
In the case of a snakebite (Table Mountain National Park is home to prolific wildlife and reptile species), immobilise the person immediately and lay them flat on their back. Do not give them any food or water. Get help and most important keep the victim as calm as possible – one of the top factors in the progression of snakebite symptoms is shock and adrenaline.
In the event of contact with the blister bush (a plant resembling common celery) cover the area from sunlight. This will avoid skin irritations and the eruption of blisters.
If you get lost anywhere along your hiking route, stop, and retrace your steps. If you can’t find your original path, move down broad, open slopes. If conditions become more threatening as you go, revert to taking shelter and seeking help.
IMPORTANT EMERGENY NUMBERS
Visitors are urged to take all the necessary safety precautions when hiking or exploring secluded areas. Your safety should always be top priority. Those venturing into the Table Mountain National Park should have the following emergency numbers on hand:
- Emergencies: 021 480 7700
- Table Mountain National Park: 021 957 4700
- Wilderness Search and Rescue: 021 937 0300
@safetymountain is also an incredibly useful resource for hikers. This free safety tracking service allows you to notify local trackers of your contact details, intended route and travel time via WhatsApp. You are also able to provide hourly updates on your progress as well as notify trackers when you are safely off the mountain.
