Kloof Corner is one of the easiest hiking trails in Cape Town. It takes only around 20 to 30 minutes to reach the summit, making the entire hike roughly an hour to complete. While the trail is steep, most of it consists of stairs, which makes the ascent manageable. As someone who is still working on my fitness and dealing with chronic sinus issues, I didn’t exactly sprint up the trail, but I managed it without too much trouble. The hike is fun and accessible for anyone who is moderately fit; you don’t need to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy this trail.

How do I get to Kloof Nek Corner?

Tafelberg Road is where the Kloof Corner hike begins. To get there, drive along Tafelberg Road and park in the second parking lot on your left, which is located just after the first hairpin bend. Once parked, cross the road and look for the Kloof Nek Water Treatment Plant. A sign will clearly indicate where the trail starts. I got a bit lost during my visit because I missed the sign and the water treatment plant. Tafelberg Road is part of the Table Mountain Nature Reserve, so you’ll need to drive through the City Bowl District to reach Table Mountain. The road runs along the northern side of Table Mountain and leads to the cable car station and Devil’s Peak, another popular hiking trail that is significantly more challenging.

How long is Kloof Corner hike?

The hike is less than a kilometre (0.6 miles) to the summit and is definitely suitable for all ages. While the path is fairly steep, especially when climbing the stairs, 20 minutes of ascent is manageable for most. The descent takes another 20 minutes. Overall, it’s a great hike for beginners, offering beautiful views both along the way and from the top.

Don’t get confused

Kloof Corner Hike is the easiest hike of all the Table Mountain trails. Kloof Corner Ridge is a different trail; be careful and don’t confuse the two trails. Kloof’s Corner Ridge is a 5.6-kilometre hike, and you need to climb up rocks. It’s steep and tricky. So don’t confuse the two trails.

Kloof Nek hiking trail

The trail takes you up stairs, which are fairly straight and steep. Then you will go around in a zig-zag. Part of the trail is sandy, but most of it is rock and log stairs. There are 215 stairs up. Once you’ve climbed all the stairs, you can turn to your left towards the cable car station, and you will eventually get there if you keep walking. But I suggest you turn right, which is what I did to see the ocean and stunning views below. On your right-hand side is where Kloof Corner is, and you will be able to see the Twelve Apostles mountain range, Camps Bay, Lion’s Head, the City Bowl, and the Atlantic Ocean all from that one spot.

Hiking tips

Be prepared to wear good hiking shoes, something with a sole that has grip.

Carry a water bottle. I left mine in the car on this hike and regretted it.

Wear sunscreen, take the bottle with you, and maybe wear a hat. I kind of hate wearing hats since they flatten my curly hair.

Definitely take a jacket with you—something warm—because the weather in Cape Town is known to change dramatically. And at the summits of all the hiking trails, it can get windy.

If you plan on catching the sunrise or sunset, remember to take a torch with you so that you can see where you are walking.

Don’t go hiking alone; rather, hike in a group of four or at least with one other person. Unfortunately, hikers get targeted by muggers, so be careful.

If you’re travelling solo, you can join this hiking group on Facebook. I am a member, and it is super helpful. Read more by following the links below:

Meetup, Ramblers, Hiking groups

Emergency numbers

Table Mountain National Park Security: 0861 106 417

General Emergency Services Number: 10177

Extra information

Child-friendly: Yes

Pet-friendly: The Table Mountain National Park is regulated by South Africa National Parks (SANParks), which requires all dog-walkers to have a Level 1 My Activity Permit. You can walk your dog, but don’t forget to get the permit, or else you might get fined.

Read more here: https://www.sanparks.org/docs/parks_table_mountain/tourism/dog-walking.pdf.

https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/tourism/access-cards-permits.php

Thank you very much for reading. Feel free to comment with suggestions or questions.