Platteklip Gorge is the oldest and most direct hiking route up Table Mountain. It is very well marked. It is the suggested route for amateurs and first time Table Mountain hikers as it is very difficult to get lost. You can choose to walk around at the top and then walk back down or cable car down and then head back to the trailhead along the tar road. The weather can change very quickly on Table Mountain, cloud often rises up out of nowhere and the wind picks up to reach gale-force speeds. Warm clothing is suggested for the top. If the wind speeds are too high the cable car will not be operating. The Cape Floral Kingdom of Table Mountain National Park is one of the richest floral regions in the world. Over 70% of the flowers are endemic to Table Mountain. For this reason United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) awarded Table Mountain Heritage Status for being a natural site that is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The mountain was also chosen as one of the new seven world wonders. Table Mountain is thought to be one of the oldest mountains in the world. The rocks of the mountain are approximately 600-million years old. It is the only natural site on the planet to have a constellation of stars named after it. The constellation is called “Mensa”, which means ‘table’ in Latin.

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