Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (the easy way up)
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The easy way to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town's most famous postcard image, is via the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
And the minute there is a clear day with very few clouds hanging around, the moment should be seized to make your ascent. Because there is just no point in going up if you can't see what's down.
The cable car journey itself only takes around 10 minutes, and the car rotates to give you a 360 degree perspective of the surrounding city and coastline. On a bright day, the views are spectacular – on a cloudy day, do something else (unless you enjoy looking at a thick grey blanket).
Once at the flattened peak of Table Mountain you can do three different signposted walking routes, ranging from a nifty fifteen minute stroll (the Dassie Walk) to a more strenuous trek (Klipspringer Walk) that can take one to three hours, depending on your fitness. There is also a wheelchair friendly route.
Of course, you can walk up Table Mountain (and go back on the Cableway) if you wanted, and there are a number of routes to take, although if you're not fit, even the easiest one will have you huffing and puffing somewhat.
At the top of the Cableway though, there is a visitor's shop, ice-cream shop and a self-service restaurant – so if you have walked up rather than opted for a leisurely Cableway ride, there is somewhere to rest while you catch your breath.
There is really just no point in taking the Cableway on a cloudy day – and the fog can come in thick and fast even on an apparently clear day once you're up, as it did when I was there. A siren sounds at the top to let you know the car will be closing when the weather gets bad, so that's the time to head back from wherever you are.
Ticket rates:
Cost of Aerial Cableway tickets, valid until September 30, 2010 (return and one-way prices):
Adult R160.00 R85.00
Children (Under 18 years) R80.00 R45.00
Children (Under 4 years) Free Free
SA senior citizens (Fridays only) R80.00 R45.00
Students (Fridays only) R105.00 R55.00
Wild Card holders (Adult) R128.00 R68.00
Wild Card holders (Children) R64.00 R36.00
Contact tel: Weatherline: + 27 (0) 21 424 8181
Cost Adult ticket from R85 one-way
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Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
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