Where is the highest point on Table Mountain?

Table Mountain is featured on Cape Town's flag and on the City's logo; Table Mountain got its name because of its flat top; The highest point of Table Mountain is 1 086m (3 563 feet) above sea level. It's called Maclear's Beacon after the man who built a stone cairn at the site in 1865.



The highest point on Table Mountain in Cape Town is Maclear’s Beacon, located on the eastern end of the plateau. It stands at 1,086 meters (3,563 feet) above sea level. The spot is marked by a large stone cairn (a mound of rocks) built in 1844 by the astronomer Sir Thomas Maclear to help measure the curvature of the Earth. While the area near the Cableway station feels like the "top," Maclear’s Beacon is actually about a 45-minute walk from there across the flat summit. In 2026, hiking to the beacon remains a popular "bucket list" item for visitors, as it offers a quieter perspective of the mountain and a sense of geographical completion that you don't quite get from the main tourist viewing platforms.

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The best way to do this is to take the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain. It is fairly expensive so some people prefer to go up Signal Hill, which is free and you can drive there.

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Cape Town's famous Table Mountain Cable Car will close this year July 24, 2023 through August 6, 2023 for annual maintenance. It will reopen on August, 7, 2023.

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Winter in Cape Town is never particularly cold and rarely goes lower than 10°C. But temperatures can go down to just a few degrees at the Top of Table Mountain, so be prepared. June, July, and August are some of the wettest months in Cape Town, often a likely time to have storms.

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The mountain is rich in diverse wildlife, including the rock hyrax and a rare species of frog aptly named the Table Mountain Ghost Frog as it can only be found in this area. Table Mountain is perhaps best known for its flat top which, because it resembles a table top, has garnered the mountain its now famous name.

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Geological Summary Table Mountain, an andesitic stratovolcano at the NW corner of Lassen National Park, is an andesitic stratovolcano active about 1-2 million years ago.

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The India Venster hike is the most challenging route to the top of Table Mountain. It's one of the most technical hiking trails in Cape Town. As a reward, you get breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding area including the stunning coastline and the impressive mountain range.

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The seven provisional winners, in alphabetical order, are: the Amazon in South America; Halong Bay in Vietnam; Iguazu Falls in Argentina; Jeju Island in South Korea; Komodo in Indonesia; Puerto Princesa Underground River in the Philippines; and Table Mountain.

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Ascend Table Mountain for free on your birthday and be mesmerized by the magnificent views of the Mother City. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway offers a complimentary trip to South African citizens on any day of the month in which their birthday falls.

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Hike Table Mountain. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 99% of travelers recommend this experience.

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The ride is a gentle one, the rotating state-of-the-art cable car taking visitors from the lower station to the top in around 5 minutes. It operates seven days a week and trips occur within 10 to 15 minutes of each other.

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