Take a hike along The Pipe Track

One of the most scenic, dog-friendly trails on Table Mountain

Table Mountain is one of the most iconic landmarks of Cape Town, and arguably, of South Africa, holding the coveted, global ‘New 7 Wonders of Nature’ status since 2011. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. One of the most frequented trails on Table Mountain is The Pipe Track. 

According to SANPark’s website, it is called The Pipe Track as the path was originally constructed to service a pipeline running below the Twelve Apostles, to channel water from the top of Table Mountain to Oranjezicht in the late 1900s. You can still see the pipeline at various parts along the trail.

The start for the trail is situated just off Kloof Nek, as you turn into Tafelberg Road (use the parking area on your immediate left), cross the road and follow the stairs to the trail’s path. You will see Lions Head on the opposite side of the road, which will be behind you as you continue on the trail and the big building on your left is The Kloof Nek filtration plant.

The Pipe Track is a ‘there and back’ trail, which is ideal for any fitness level, as you can simply turn around when you feel like it. It is favoured by hikers, trail runners, the occasional mountain biker and is dog-friendly too but requires a SANParks MyActivity Permit. It is an easy to moderate walk, with slight inclines and a few rocky terrains – but nothing too difficult. 

It’s popularity stems from it being the route off which many others branch – you can hike to Diagonal Cave, Kasteelpoort and even all the way along the Twelve Apostles to Slangolie Ravine (which is about 7kms one-way). The different routes are well marked, so look out for the signage. 

However, the true magic of this trail is the spectacular views it offers. As you start the trail, you’ll have Camps Bay to your right, serving ‘tropical island vibes’ with its row of palm trees, the stretch of white sandy beach and the deep blue ocean in the distance. 

The trail snakes along the length of the Twelve Apostles, with majestic views of the peaks towering over you. On your way back, you’ll have the view of Lions Head in front of you.

This trail is one of the many, which falls within the Table Mountain National Park, a World Heritage Site (WHS) since 2004 because of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). The reason it’s a WHS is to protect the endangered fynbos and flora, which is endemic to South Africa and not found anywhere else in the world. 

According to SANParks’ website, the CFR is the smallest and richest of the six floral kingdoms that occur on earth. It is also the only kingdom confined to one continent and is home to an amazing 8 200 plant species - of which around 80% are fynbos. The significance of this hits home when you consider that the British Isles, three and a half times the size, boasts less than 1 500 plant species. 

Depending on the season that you hike, you can look forward to seeing many amazing blossoms. On our hike (which was 6kms as a round-trip), we saw Pincushions in yellow and orange, Watsonias that coloured the mountain in a sea of lilac as it blew in the breeze and lots of dried Wagon Tree Protea bushes. 

In Spring and Summer, it is best to start early as this trail is quite exposed to the sun and generally has very little flowing water, once the winter rainfall has stopped. So, pack loads of water for you and your pooches and make sure you take along nutritious snacks. While you won’t be able to see the sunrise on this trail, it does offer amazing sunset views.

Because of its popularity, you will be fortunate to be among other outdoor enthusiasts, depending on the time of day you hike. As the silly season approaches, make sure you stay safe and hike in a group. 

Safety tips for hiking

• Hike in a group of at least four people
• Have a first aid kit, an emergency blanket, weather-appropriate gear and water so you stay hydrated
• Prioritise your safety - carry pepper spray and a steel, retractable baton 
• Make sure you know the limitations of your hiking group, i.e. fitness level and be clear about the distance you intend to hike. Never leave anyone behind.
• Carry at least one cellphone (with airtime) – and save the relevant emergency contact numbers. Table Mountain National Park Emergency Number - 0861106417
  Wilderness Search and Rescue Number - 0219370300 or dial 112 from your cellphone
• Don’t flaunt any cellphones, cameras and flashy jewellery 
• Be aware of your surroundings and the people who pass by
• Be courteous to your fellow hikers and share the path, especially when hiking with dogs
• Many dogs have gotten lost on the mountain. Ensure they are microchipped and have a name tag with emergency contact information on it
• Don’t let your dogs stray too far from you – have good recall or keep them on a leash for a safer walking experience - during the warmer months, snakes are also more active on the mountain
• Remember to scoop the poop