Table Mountain History and Geology
Table Mountain is the iconic landmark and backdrop overlooking the city of Cape Town. It is a mesa that stands about one kilometre high, 1,087 metres. It is one of the oldest mountains in the world. The rocks that make up the mountain are approximately 600 million years old. Table Mountain’s history dates back about 240 million years. even older than the Alps, Andes, Rockies and the Himalayas.
Table Mountain history (ancient) geology
The mountain consists of 450- to 510-million-year-old (Ordovician) rocks belonging to the two lowermost layers of the Cape Fold Mountains. It is believed that the mountain was originally three to four times higher than it is today. However, millions of years of erosion have lowered the peaks.
Three main types of rock
- Cape Granite, around 540 million years old, is hard and coarse-grained and characterised by large white feldspar crystals, flakes of black mica and grey glassy quartz. Most of the Table Mountain Chain is made up of this type of rock. Examples of granite outcrops can be seen at Boulders, Chapman’s Peak and Lion’s Head.
- The Malmesbury type is about 540 million years old, made up of dark grey mudstones and lighter-coloured sandstone. Examples can be found on Signal Hill and on the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak
- Table Mountain Group, 520 million years old, comprises of three main formations:
- The Graafwater Formation: This layer is about 25m-65m thick, consisting of sandstone and mudstone in red and purple hues.
- The Peninsula Formation comprises light grey, pebbly sandstones. This type forms the bulk of Table Mountain and is around 700m thick.
- The Pakhuis Formation is found on the top of Table Mountain and is identified by glacially deposited sandstone pebbles.
Table Mountain: history of the first people
The first people in the area date back 30,000 years. The Khoi and San people/Khoekhoe called it Huri ‡oaxa, or Hoerikwaggo, “where the sea rises”. There is some evidence of Stone Age inhabitants. Hand axes and other tools were found in the Kirstenbosch Garden. The mountain was sacred for the Khoi and San people as they believed their god (Tsui or Goab) lived there.
First recorded climb of Table Mountain.
The first European to see the Cape in 1448 was Bartolomeu Dias. Vasco da Gama also paid a visit. The first recorded climb of the mountain was by the Portuguese navigator, Admiral Antonio de Saldanha in 1503. It was de Saldanha who gave the mountain its name, naming it Taboa da Caba, meaning table of the cape. In Afrikaans the name is Tafelberg. Since then, many people from all around the world have climbed the mountain. The cable car first opened in 1929. Reaching the summit was made a whole lot easier. More than 22 million people have used the cable car, which was renovated and reopened in 1997.
There are 8,200 plant species on the mountain slopes, of which around 80% are fynbos and are endemic to the mountain. The most common animal found on the mountain is the rock hyrax or dassie, a mammal that resembles a guinea pig. There are about 22 different species of snakes that live on Table Mountain.
The plateau is often covered in orographic clouds. Locals call it the ‘Tablecloth.
There are about 350 trails that will get you to the top of Table Mountain and contain approximately 160 kilometres of cycling track. See some hikes here
Gold rush hoax
A quirky story related to Table Mountain History happened in 1849 when a wily shopkeeper displayed a nugget of gold that he claimed came from Table Mountain in his shop window. A gold rush followed with hopeful prospectors climbing Platteklip Gorge. When they arrived, they found the shopkeeper there with cool drinks and food for sale. This was repeated for several days. No gold was found on Table Mountain. The nugget originally came from Australia.
Camissa ‘Sweet water for all’
Camissa is a Khoisan word ǁk̮amis sa or ǁkhamis sa as opposed to ǁuriǁamma. which is seawater and therefore saline water not for drinking. 5 dams on Table Mountain now provide 5% of the water Cape Town uses.
Table Mountain is the only natural site on Earth with a constellation of stars named after it. In the 18th century, French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille named a constellation after Table Mountain.
The mountain gained national park status in 1998. In 2004, the Cape Floristic Region was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2012, the mountain was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Visit the top of the mountain on the Table Mountain Cableway If you are energetic, you can hike to the summit
Read about some Table Mountain legends and Read more about the Table Mountain Sacred Site
FAQs
1. How do I get to Table Mountain?
Table Mountain is about 10 minutes from Cape Town’s city centre. Follow Tafelberg Road to reach the Lower Cableway Station. You can also take a taxi, Uber, or the MyCiTi Bus (Route 107 or 110), which stops nearby.
2. Where can I park?
Free and paid parking is available along Tafelberg Road, but it fills up quickly on good-weather days. Arrive early or use the free park-and-ride service from Lower Tafelberg Road during busy periods.
3. What are the Table Mountain Cableway hours?
Operating times vary with the season and weather. In summer, it usually runs from 8:00 to 19:00, and closes earlier in winter. The cableway may close if wind speeds are high — always check the official Table Mountain Aerial Cableway website or Twitter feed before going.
4. How much do tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary by age, time of day, and whether you book online or at the ticket office. Locals can often get discounted rates during off-peak months. A ride is free on your birthday, pensioner’s discount applies.
5. Can I hike up Table Mountain instead of taking the cableway?
Yes. Popular routes include Platteklip Gorge (the most direct), India Venster, and Skeleton Gorge from Kirstenbosch. Hiking times range from 1.5 to 4 hours.
6. Is it safe to hike up Table Mountain?
Yes, if you stay on marked trails and avoid hiking alone. Start early, carry water, check the weather, and download a GPS app like “Trails SA.” Emergency number: 021 937 0300 (Wilderness Search and Rescue).
7. What facilities are available at the top?
There’s a café, restrooms, a souvenir shop, and multiple viewing decks. Free Wi-Fi is also available at the Upper Cable Station.
8. Is Table Mountain wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Both the cable cars and upper viewing areas are accessible, with ramps and restrooms designed for wheelchairs.
9. Can I bring my pet?
Pets aren’t allowed on the cableway or upper plateau, but leashed dogs are welcome on some lower trails around the mountain (such as Pipe Track).
10. What’s the best time to visit Table Mountain?
Early mornings are best for clear skies and shorter queues. Sunset rides are also popular in summer. Avoid days with strong wind forecasts.
11. What should I bring?
Bring sunscreen, a hat, water, a windbreaker, and sturdy shoes. Weather can change quickly — even in summer.
12. How long does the cable car ride take?
The trip takes about five minutes each way, with rotating floors for 360° views of Cape Town and the coastline.
Updated October 2025
