India Venster Hike

With sensational city and ocean views, the India Venster route up Table Mountain is an incredible way for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts to experience Cape Town’s beauty. The seasonally evolving flora and dramatic rock-formations offer an enchanting escape into nature. 

The start of the India Venster hiking route is situated to the right of the Table Mountain cableway station and zig zags below the cableway. The first part of the route is the toughest after which you will start to see far-reaching views of the city bowl, bay, Lions Head, Robben Island, and all the way to the west coast. The hike is fun, adventurous, and somewhat challenging and moderate fitness level and a head for heights is essential. With a distance of 2.5 kilometres and a total elevation of approximately 670 meters, the India Venster hike takes approximately three hours including time for photos, water breaks, and safety briefing.

The India Venster route is technical with rock scrambling in several sections along the way, which refers to climbing up steep rocky terrains with the help of your hands. No experience or equipment is needed. Just some balance and enthusiasm. If you are very fearful of heights, this may however not be the best route for you. The India Venster route on Table Mountain does follow a trail that is rocky and mostly uneven, with steep sections and big rock steps. Scrambling and narrow ledges make up around 15% of the trail, but the route does even out and the view from the top is worth every drop of sweat.