The route
Skeleton Gorge begins in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, on the back of Table Mountain, and follows the gorge up to the plateau. Instead of the open, sunny city face of Platteklip, you start among the garden’s plantings and head up the gorge. It is still a full ascent to the top of Table Mountain, with a guide setting the pace.
Do not let the garden start fool you into expecting a stroll. One reviewer notes that the hike is recommended as easy and finds that label too easy, adding that participants should have appropriate footwear; two others call it exhausting or not so easy. Reviewers also credit the guides with adapting the pace to the group’s fitness.
What it does not have is a short walk to the cable car. The top of Skeleton Gorge is on the back of the plateau, a long way from the top station, and that shapes the whole day.
What the guided hike includes — and what it does not
Cape Mountain Guides run the Skeleton Gorge & Kirstenbosch hike, listed at three and a half hours. The listing is clear about what is not included, and it is easy to miss:
- Hotel pickup is not included. You make your own way to Kirstenbosch.
- The Kirstenbosch entrance fee is not included. You pay it at the garden.
Treat the listed duration as the operator’s guide rather than a fixed end time, and keep the rest of the day flexible — the pace of the group and the way down both play a part. The product page sets out the meeting point and how the hike ends.
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Plan the way down before you set off
The top of Skeleton Gorge is far from the cable car’s top station, and the cable car is not part of this booking. If you want to ride down, it means a further walk across the plateau first and a descent ticket bought separately — online or at the top station. The cable car also stops in strong wind, according to the operator on roughly 60 to 90 days a year; then the way down is on foot. Check on the product page how the guided hike ends, and leave enough daylight either way. One reviewer describes the guide changing the descent on request: the group walked across the mountain to the cable car and rode down.
In summer
Water on Skeleton Gorge is something to carry, not to count on. One reviewer advises making sure you are properly hydrated, and warns that anyone hoping to stop at the “beach” in summer may find the water heavily drained. Start in the morning, carry plenty of water, and keep an eye on the southeaster in the forecast. Our weather and wind page has more on the summer conditions.
Who it suits
- Good fit: hikers who want a start away from the city face, like the idea of the garden as the gateway, and are happy to organise their own way to Kirstenbosch.
- Less ideal: anyone expecting an easy walk, anyone who wants to be sure of a quick cable car ride down, or who needs pickup from the hotel included in the booking. The direct route up the city face, or the Kasteelspoort hike with transport included, may suit better.
Not sure which route is yours? Our route comparison puts Skeleton Gorge next to Platteklip Gorge, India Venster, Kasteelspoort and Lion’s Head.
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In short
Skeleton Gorge is Table Mountain from the garden side: greener, away from the city face, and far from the cable car at the top. Get yourself to Kirstenbosch, pay the entrance there, carry plenty of water, and plan the way down before you start.
