KLOOF CORNER RIDGE

This is a 3-4 hours hike on Table Mountain offering steep, scrambling sections as well as three sets of chains which require rock-scrambling (about 7-10m). Advanced hike.

The path starts on the far west side corner of Table Mountain and follows an exciting line up a classic ridge with spectacular views of Lion’s Head, Cape Town City Bowl, Camps Bay and the twelve Apostles. It begins rather gradually making long sweeping zigzags till you reach the Contour Path (-+500m elev) Walk left along the Contour Path to reach a chain hanging down a rock step. This is the first 6 to 7 meters pitch up to gain the ledge. From here you have short scrambles into Kloof corner gully and along the ledge to a long chimney-crack where the second chain is hanging down. The chain is a long one along a narrow crevice and requires some upper body strength on the polished rock.
A short time after this climb we come to a square buttress. Step up to a ledge and continue to a corner which leads onto 11 inch chimney where the third and final chain awaits. This crack splits the rock mass, running through the ridge. Getting through the passage involved standing on rocks that were wedged into the crack with nothing below them. Wriggle into and use the chain hanging down to propel ourselves up and out of the crack to an exposed shelf, pull over the top to a platform and admire the view of the city below!
Continue over some small rock steps toward the main massif and along the top of the ridge for about 10 minutes at this point, the path darts around onto the West face and traverses the length of Fountain Ledge overlooking Camps bay and from there to the top of the mountain and the cableway station.

This hike is not to be  attempted by anyone with a fear of heights.