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Hiking Trail recommended route Hiking Trail  · City of Cape Town

Table Mountain Dams Geotrail

Responsible for this content
The Umvoto Foundation Verified partner 
  • Hely-Hutchinson Resevoir on Table Mountain.
    Hely-Hutchinson Resevoir on Table Mountain.
    Photo: Dylan Blake, The Umvoto Foundation

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    A heritage hike across Table Mountain’s historic dams, exploring Cape Town’s water story through geology, hydrology, climate and engineering.
    moderate
    Distance 16 km
    5:20 h
    540 m
    540 m
    755 m
    221 m
    The Table Mountain Dams Geotrail leads hikers through one of Cape Town’s most compelling landscape stories, where geology, climate, engineering and history meet. Following the five historic dams on top of Table Mountain – Woodhead, Hely Hutchinson, Alexandra, Victoria and De Villiers – the trail reveals how the city has responded to water shortages since the 1660s.

    Set against the backdrop of recurring droughts and a growing urban population, this guided hike traces the development of Cape Town’s water supply and the remarkable infrastructure built in response. Along the way, hikers gain insight into the geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, climatology and environmental history of the southwestern Cape, while experiencing the unique heritage of the Table Mountain National Park landscape.

    Developed by the Umvoto Foundation in collaboration with Forge and funded by the 35IGC Legacy Fund, the trail forms part of a broader geoheritage and geotourism initiative aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Supported by an interactive app and guidebook, the Table Mountain Dams Geotrail invites walkers to deepen their understanding of Cape Town’s natural and cultural history and to play a role in preserving this heritage for future generations.


    Book a guided hike

    Paul Lee and Dylan Blake host a full-day (6-8 hours) guided hike along the Table Mountain Dams GeoTrail. To make a booking or for more information, email dblake@theumvotofoundation.org or call 021 709 6700. A portion of the hike's proceeds goes to TUF initiatives.

    Author’s recommendation

    Note: Access to the Orange Kloof area requires a permit. Please call +27 (0) 21 741 2467 or email Charmaine Ntethana for information. Permits are free but limited.

     

    Difficulty
    T1 moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    Old Railyway Track Path, 755 m
    Lowest point
    Constantia Nek Parking Lot, 221 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
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    Sep
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    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 41.80%Dirt road 28.51%Forested/wild trail 6%Path 23.44%Road 0.23%Unknown 0%
    Asphalt
    6.7 km
    Dirt road
    4.6 km
    Forested/wild trail
    961 m
    Path
    3.8 km
    Road
    37 m
    Unknown
    0 m
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    • For all emergencies on Table Mountain, contact Wilderness Search and Rescue - 021 937 0300.
    • For security / crime-related incidents in the mountains around the Cape Town Metropolitan area call the City Public Emergency Contact Centre (PECC): 021-480-7700 (or 107 when using a traditional landline phone).
    • Always be prepared for bad weather conditions.

    Tips and suggestions

    The entire GeoTrail makes for a full-day outing. However, you can craft your own day hikes that incorporate the points of interest, enabling you to explore them at your own pace. Download this route to your phone so you can locate all the sites.

    Roadbook

    The trail sets off along a jeep track that contours the Orange Kloof conservancy area. After a few kilometres, you will begin ascending up Orange Kloof, topping out at Woodhead Dam. The paths on the top of Table Mountain are clear and easy to follow, with the majority of the descent on concrete roads all the way back to Constantia Nek.

    Public transport

    The trailhead is not on a public transport network.

    Directions

    Use your preferred driving navigation app to get directions to "Constantia Nek".

    Parking

    Parking is available at Constantia Nek. Park at your own risk and do not leave valuables in your vehicle. On weekends we recommend arriving early as space is limited.

    Coordinates

    DD
    -34.011365, 18.405354
    DMS
    34°00'40.9"S 18°24'19.3"E
    UTM
    34H 260390 6233547
    w3w 
    ///access.soiling.followings
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendation by the author

    Author’s map recommendations

    Download this route to your device to navigate it offline.

    Equipment

    • Carry a backpack with the following:
      - warm jacket or windbreaker
      - food sustenance/snack
      - headlamp with spare batteries
      - first-aid kit
    • Wear a hat and sunblock.
    • Take a minimum of 1l of water. Never assume you will find drinkable water en route.
    • Have the relevant emergency contacts saved on your phone and on your person.
    • Ensure your phone battery is fully charged (We also suggest carrying a fully charged power bank).
    • Download this map and save it offline on your app, and let someone (not coming along) know of your intended route.

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    Difficulty
    T1 moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    16 km
    Duration
    5:20 h
    Ascent
    540 m
    Descent
    540 m
    Highest point
    755 m
    Lowest point
    221 m
    Round trip Scenic Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

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