Pipe Track Hiking Trail: The Easy Table Mountain Walk With the Big Views
If you want the Table Mountain views without the leg-burning climb, the Pipe Track is the one to do. It runs along the western flank of the mountain, high above Camps Bay, following the base of the Twelve Apostles the whole way. There is barely any climbing involved, so you spend the walk looking out at the Atlantic instead of staring at your feet. It is one of the few Cape Town hikes that genuinely suits a first-timer, a family with kids in tow, or anyone who just wants a beautiful walk without signing up for a summit.
Difficulty
Easy
Fitness Level
Low – Moderate
Route distance
+/- 6km
Start point
Kloof Nek, at the junction of Tafelberg Road and Kloof Nek Road
End point
Camps Bay or back to Kloof Nek
Average time
2 – 4 hours (depending on your fitness and experience level)
Where the Pipe Track starts and how to get there
The trail begins at Kloof Nek, the saddle where the roads up to Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill all meet. There is a parking area right there, and the path starts across from it on the Tafelberg Road side, marked with a Pipe Track sign. Coming from the city, it is about a five minute drive up Kloof Nek Road. You can also join the track from the Camps Bay side near Theresa Avenue, which is handy if you are staying on the Atlantic Seaboard.
One heads-up on the parking: the Kloof Nek lot is busy and cars have been broken into here before. Take your valuables with you and leave nothing on the seats. It is not a reason to skip the hike, just the usual Cape Town common sense.
What to expect on the trail
The Pipe Track takes its name from the water pipeline it follows, built in the 1800s to carry water down from the Disa Gorge to a growing Cape Town. You can still spot sections of the old pipe along the way, which is a nice bit of history under your boots.
The walking itself is easy. The path hugs the contour of the mountain, so rather than climbing, it carries you along the base of the Twelve Apostles with the ocean laid out below. The views are the whole reason to come. Lion’s Head sits behind you, Camps Bay and the coastline stretch out beneath you, and the Apostles rise up on your right the entire way. In spring and early summer the fynbos comes alive, and if you time it well you will catch proteas and the occasional red disa near the damper ravines.
Because it is a contour path, you set your own turnaround. Plenty of people walk 20 or 30 minutes to a good viewpoint, sit for a bit, and head back. Others follow it all the way to Corridor Ravine and return. There is no wrong way to do it.
The ravine routes that branch off (and why to leave them alone)
As you walk, you will pass several steep ravines climbing up the mountain: Kasteelspoort, Corridor Ravine, Woody Ravine, Slangolie and Blinkwater among them. These are the real ascents, and a few are proper mountaineering routes with loose rock and exposure. Kasteelspoort is the most popular way up to the top from here, but even that is a serious hike in its own right. Do not head up any of them on a whim. If you want to summit, plan it properly or go with someone who knows the route. The Pipe Track itself is gentle. The ravines above it are not.
Is it good for kids and beginners?
It is one of the best in Cape Town for both. The path is mostly flat, there is no scrambling, and you can turn back the moment little legs have had enough. Two things to watch: keep an eye on children near the ravine turnoffs, and stay aware of the drop on the valley side in the narrower sections. Otherwise it is about as relaxed as mountain walking gets in the Mother City.
The best time to hike the Pipe Track
Early morning is quiet and cool, and you will often have long stretches to yourself. The other sweet spot is late afternoon, because the track faces west and the sunset over the Atlantic from up here is genuinely special. Just leave yourself enough daylight to get back to the car.
The main thing to plan around is the sun. There is almost no shade on the Pipe Track, so a hot summer midday can be punishing. Go early or go late, and carry more water than you think you will need.
What to bring
Wear shoes with grip. The path is mostly even but has rocky patches. Pack water, a hat and sunscreen, and a light layer, because the wind can pick up along the mountain even when town is dead still. There are no shops, taps or toilets once you set off, so sort yourself out before you start. If you want to bring the dog, you will need a My Activity Permit from Table Mountain National Park, and keep them under control around other walkers and the wildlife.
What to pair it with nearby
Camps Bay is five minutes down the hill, so a post-hike swim, sundowner or lunch on the strip is the easy call. If you are after a shorter, sharper viewpoint hike, Kloof Corner is close by. Lion’s Head is right there for sunset on another day, and the Table Mountain Cableway sits at the top of Tafelberg Road if you would rather ride up than hike up.
Worth it?
The Pipe Track punches well above its effort level. You get some of the finest views on the whole mountain for a fraction of the work a summit demands, which is exactly why it makes such a good first hike, an easy family outing, or a lazy Sunday walk you can still feel a little smug about afterwards. Lace up, take your time, and enjoy it.
TIPS FOR HIKING THE PIPE TRACK
- There are several trails that lead off/deviate from the Pipe Track hiking route, however these should not be attempted without the assistance of a knowledgeable guide. Many of these trails are not beginner-friendly and require a certain level of fitness and experience. They are also not open to dogs.
- As a large portion of the Pipe Track hiking trail is directly exposed to the afternoon sun, the trail can be tough and particularly gruelling on hot days. The best time to hike the Pipe Track route in the hot summer months is during the early morning or late afternoon.
**Interesting facts: Besides sensational views, you will encounter a diversity of fauna and flora, including the beloved Cape Fynbos and Proteas, along the Pipe Track route. The Pipe Track also boast a rich history – The Pipe Track trail follows a pipeline that was built for the purpose of servicing and supplying 19th-century Cape Town with water from the Disa Gorge.
- Pet-friendly: Yes, although Table Mountain National Park is under the jurisdiction of SANParks, which requires that dog-walkers have a Level 1 My Activity Permit (R305 per year).
- Child-friendly: Yes
