Hiking the Pipe Track Trail ranks high on my list of favourite things to do in Cape Town. The scenic trail winds its way along the foothills of Table Mountain and treats you with stunning views of Camps Bay and Lion’s Head.
In this article I will provide you with some practical insights about the trail and show you some of the sights you can expect to see along the way. The Pipe Track Trail is a pretty straightforward hike that typically takes about half a day to complete. Start early and you could use the afternoon to explore another part of the Mother City.
Also read: Cape Town Itinerary | 5 Days in the Mother City
Quick facts about the Pipe Track Trail
Length: 6km (4 miles)
Duration: 3-4 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Next to the Kloof Nek parking lot
Getting to the start of the Pipe Track Trail
It’s easy to get to the start of the Pipe Track Trail, which is right next to the Kloof Nek parking lot. This parking lot is situated at the start of Tafelberg Road (the road heading up to Table Mountain). Take an Uber, grab a bus, or simply walk up there.
Taxi or Uber to Kloof Nek parking lot
The easiest way to get to the start is to take an Uber to the Kloof Nek parking lot. From within the city bowl the cost for this ride should be around 80 – 100 ZAR.
Take bus 106 or 107 to Kloof Nek bus stop
Take the 106 or 107 bus towards Camps Bay to the ‘Kloof Nek’ bus stop. The price of the bus ticket should be 9 – 12 ZAR. You can find the route map on the MyCiti website. Mind you that you do need a MyCity card with credit on it to use the bus before you board. This card costs 35 ZAR.
Walk to the start of the Pipe Track Trail
It takes about an hour on foot to reach the start of the track. It’s up, up and up though, but you can take a break on the way up at Nourish’d Café & Juicery.
Tip: Take an Uber to the start, but after finishing the trail walk back to the city via the Company’s Garden.
What to see on the Pipe Track Trail
The Pipe Track Trail is a hiking route along the foothills of Table Mountain with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. There’s also plenty to see along the way in terms of flora and fauna.
History of the pipe
Pretty soon after starting the trail you’ll notice a pipe running underneath and along the track. Hence the name of the trail. The pipe used to provide water from the Disa River to the people of Cape Town, but is no longer used anymore. It’s a pretty cool piece of history though.
Scenic views
The scenery changes around every corner of the trail, but what’s always there are the views of Camps Bay directly below. As you start the trail heading in a southwestern direction you have magnificent views of Table Mountain. The mountain range here is also called the Twelve Apostles. On your way back you are walking towards Lion’s Head, which is also popular for sunset viewing.
Flora and fauna
When you walk along the trail you find yourself in unique vegetation called ‘fynbos’. Fynbos can be found in other parts of Africa too, but 90% of it can be found in the Western Cape region.
Keep your eyes open for plant species such as restio and the purple erica. But also for the big and bright proteas that grow along the trail. You’ll have the biggest chance to see all these plant species from May to October.
The Table Mountain foothills aren’t just popular with hikers, but also with animals. You can see a lot of birds fluttering around the trail. Some of the most common ones you can find here are sugarbirds and sunbirds. And besides birds, on sunny days for sure you’ll have an encounter with sunbathing lizards.
When it comes to mammals you have a chance of spotting dassies (rock hyrax). These rodent looking creatures are actually closer related to elephants and manatees, believe it or not! Can you spot the similarities? Nope? Neither could I.
Length and difficulty of the Pipe Track Trail
Like I said before, hiking the Pipe Track trail is actually quite easy. The distance is about 6 km one way, so to the end and back typically takes around 3-4 hours. Of course you can shorten the route by heading back before you’ve reached the end of the trail.
The trail is pretty flat, but also quite rocky. This means you could technically do the trail on your sneakers, but for a bit more comfort you best wear your hiking shoes.
Actually I think the most determining factor for the level of difficulty is the weather. On summer days it can get blistering hot. But any time of year it could also suddenly become misty, rainy and windy.
Because of the weather I also had to cut the hike short. The day already started very windy, but all of a sudden we were also walking through thick mist. Eventually we decided to turn around after an hour or so on the trail. But even with just 2 hours on the trail it was totally worth the time and effort.
Best time to hike the Pipe Track Trail
Best season to hike the trail
The best time of the year to hike the Pipe Track trail is definitely in spring. During spring you’ll see a lot of flowers in bloom, such as the unique protea.
If you’re not in Cape Town during spring however, then don’t worry. The hike has beautiful views of Camps Bay and Table Mountain all year round.
Best time of the day to hike the trail
The trail gets shadow in the morning, but a lot of sun as the day progresses. Most of the trail is pretty exposed, so on hot and sunny days start early in the morning. Alternatively in summer start at the end of the afternoon for sunset views.
The rest of the year you can start the trail at pretty much any time. Just check what the weather will be like and whether that weather suits your idea for a hiking day.
What to pack for the Pipe Track Trail
With the Pipe Track Trail being relatively short you won’t need to bring a lot. Do however consider the following:
- Sun protection | The track is quite exposed, so when the sun is out make sure to protect your skin with sunscreen. Also bring a hat and sunglasses.
- Water | There are no shops along the way, so bring a sufficient amount of water with you for 3-4 hours, especially on a hot day.
- Food | Like I said no shops on the trail, so bring some snacks or even lunch to eat along the way. We started the day at Oranjezicht City Farm Market and brought some lunch from there.
- Layers | Wear layers of clothing so you can adjust according to the changing weather conditions. Also bring a rain poncho, because rain and wind are a terrible combination.
- Hiking shoes | It’s an easy hike, but hiking shoes will enhance your experience over sneakers on the rocky terrain.
- Camera: Of course don’t forget your camera, because the views are simply amazing!
- Travel insurance | If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. So make sure to take out travel insurance just in case something happens. Get a quote from Heymondowith 5% off as a reader of Next Journey Ahead.
Final Thoughts on Hiking the Pipe Track Trail
Despite not being able to finish the Pipe Track Trail completely, hiking the trail was one of my favourite things to do in Cape Town.
It’s an easy hike and gives you a good idea of what you could also see on a more strenuous Table Mountain hike. So don’t hesitate and put the trail in your Cape Town itinerary.
Have you been to Cape Town, or do you have any questions? Then reach out to me on Instagram, or leave a comment below. To get regular updates in your mailbox, please sign-up to my newsletter.
Planning your trip to South Africa? Then take a look at my other articles in my South Africa travel guide. Or continue reading below:
