WHY IS TABLE MOUNTAIN FLAT?
One of the first things people notice about Cape Town’s most famous landmark is its distinctly flat summit. Unlike most mountains with sharp peaks, Table Mountain looks like a giant plateau, earning it its name.
So, why is Table Mountain flat? The answer lies in its geology and millions of years of erosion.
THE GEOLOGY BEHIND THE FLAT TOP
Around 450–510 million years ago, layers of sand were deposited on an ancient seabed. Over time, these layers compressed into Table Mountain Sandstone — a very hard and erosion-resistant rock.
Roughly 260 million years ago, tectonic activity pushed the sandstone upwards, exposing it above sea level and forming the beginnings of Table Mountain.
Softer surrounding rocks, like shale and granite, eroded away much faster than the sandstone. The sandstone summit resisted erosion, leaving behind the flat-topped plateau we see today
THE FAMOUS TABLECLOTH
The mountain’s flat shape also gives rise to one of Cape Town’s most iconic natural sights: the Tablecloth.
When moist air from the ocean rises against the slopes, it cools and condenses, forming a blanket of cloud that spills over the flat summit. This phenomenon makes the mountain appear as if it’s draped in a soft white cloth.
A LANDMARK LIKE NO OTHER
Table Mountain’s flat summit is what makes it instantly recognisable across the world. Combined with its great age and biodiversity, this unique shape has helped the mountain earn global recognition — including its status as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
GUIDED HIKES TO THE TOP
Here at Cape Trek we also offer epic guided hikes up Table Mountain. Our most popular hike, India Venster, which departs from right next to the lower cable station, finishes at the upper cable station where we seamlessly catch the cable car down.
So you get the best of both world’s – an amazing hike up (you can say you hiked up Table Mountain) and a cable car ride down. This enables you to miss the most strenuous part of any hike – the descent.
TOP HIKES
A challenging route which meanders up the front of Table Mountain and finishes at the Cable Station. Includes some scrambling using chains and staples.
A beautiful route which crosses three buttresses on the Camps Bay side of Table Mountain finishing near the start of Valley of the Gods.
An enchanting hike taking one through some rather unique rock formations in a hidden part of Table Mountain. Accessed via Corridor Ravine.
An exposed route which traverses beneath the face of Table Mountain. It eventually links up with India Venster near the top. Not for the faint hearted.
A sublime line that that meanders up Left Face which sits to the left of Platteklip Gorge if you’re facing the mountain. Steep hiking mixed with some scrambling.
A lovely route that goes up to the top of the eastern side of Table Mountain. Accessed via Kirstenbosch Garden (for a fee) or Cecilia Forest.