This 5-day trail is usually walked from south to north, ending with a climb up the back of Table Mountain and steep descent down Platteklip Gorge to the lower cable car station, where you’ll be picked up and driven back to your accommodation in Cape Town. The trail is fully supported – you’ll have a personable, fully qualified guide, all catering will be provided and all logistics looked after, including having your luggage transported round to each of the beautifully appointed trail huts. During the daytime, you need only carry a small day pack with your essentials. If you don’t have 5 days at your disposal, you can opt to hike specific stages of your choice, subject to hut availability.
IMPORTANT 2021 UPDATE:
Please note that the “full” Hoerikwaggo Trail is currently not possible. Key middle stages have been affected by a combination of factors, notably:
- A land dispute on the approach to Chapman’s Peak means that it is not possible to hike from Kommetjie to Silvermine via Chapman’s Peak
- Security concerns on the section between Simonstown and Kommetjie
- The Silvermine Hut has burnt down and as yet there are no plans to re-build it
- The Orangekloof Hut was vandalised and as yet there are no plans to re-open it
That all said, it is still possible to hike some of the best stages of the trail as day hikes and it is also possible to link the first two stages as a 2-day hike (Cape Point to Simonstown) and the final two stages as a 2-day hike (Silvermine to Table Mountain). You can also join these together and make a 4-day hike, with a short vehicle transfer in the middle. These hikes are described on the Cape Peninsula Hiking Page HERE
what's special
- Traverse exquisite coastal and mountain terrain ranging in height up to 1,000m
- Experience the unique Cape Floral Kingdom close-up
- Stay in uniquely designed camps (one has been constructed using whale bones!) that have been set up for the sole use of trail groups
- Huts accommodate 12 only, which limits numbers on trail
- With the exception of the summit of Table Mountain, you will likely see few hikers en route
- Full logistical support, including all catering, transport to the start of the trail and back from Cape Town, and movement of all main luggage as you proceed
Trail description
The trail follows a beautiful and varied route that takes in the very best features of the Cape Peninsula. Over the 5 days, you’ll cover approximately 75 kilometres along the spine of the Peninsula, experiencing dramatic and varied views as you proceed; you’ll traverse the Table Mountain National Park, a World Heritage Site, and pass through the world’s smallest yet most diverse floral kingdom; it’s tough in parts and requires good hiking stamina – extremes of weather, be it 30 degree temperatures or occasional rain and wind chill, contribute to making this a serious trek.
Commencing in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve you’ll follow a lovely cliff-top trail past the alluring peaks of Paulsberg, Die Boer and Judas. As you trek north you’ll pass over many of the Peninsula’s high points, as well as experience the immediate coastal terrain, including the mostly deserted, 8-kilometre Noordhoek beach. The route is beautiful and varied, and straddles the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, affording you extensive sea views east and west. The final approach up the southern flanks of Table Mountain is particularly attractive and the dramatic views over the city and Table Bay that greet you at the end, coupled with the prospect of a good dinner, local wine and a night under crisp linen, will hopefully give you a boost to decline using the cable car and opt for a final steep descent down Platteklip Gorge!
Note that the trail was originally conceived as a 6-day trail, but the proposed second stage between Smitswinkel Bay and Simonstown passed through private land and permission was not initially granted. This position has now changed and this stage is now hiked as “stage 2”. However, the trail remains a 5-day trail as the section between Simonstown and Kommetjie is best avoided owing to security concerns – the trail passes close to an informal township. Hikers end day two at Simonstown and are then driven round to the Slangkop hut located near Kommetjie village.
That funny name .... "Hoeriwaggo"
“Hoerikwaggo” is a Khoisan name given to Table Mountain by the nomadic Khoi people who hunted and gathered on these mountains before white settlers landed at the Cape. The trail was constructed (there are a number of boardwalks in addition to the huts) by previously unemployed people from the townships of the Cape Peninsula with emphasis placed on leaving little or no environmental impact on the earth.
The Hoerikwaggo Trail was challenging, but not beyond our capabilities. Every day brought on changes of scenery and terrain which meant that there was never a dull moment. We were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the tented camps. The two guides did excellent jobs and we would recommend their services to anyone. We walked with one guide most of the time, with the other doing the driving and setting up the food each day. Their knowledge of the route, and the wildlife and history or the area, was extensive, and this made the walks all the more interesting. They were considerate when walking, setting a steady pace and being conscious of everyone’s capabilities. It was such a joy to get to the camp after a hard day and see the second waiting for us with beers to pass around, which we then enjoyed in the sunshine. A quick shower, then tuck into an excellent meal, accompanied by more beer and wine. Thanks for all your help in organising the trail for us, along with the safari we went onto, which we also greatly enjoyed.