Hiking trail
India Venster
13 locals recommend,
Location
Aerial Cableway, WC
Tips from locals
India Venster comes with terms and conditions. Be careful, hikers say, this is the most difficult, albeit the most fun way of scrambling to the top of Table Mountain. Next to India Venster, Platteklip may well appear sedate. You might want to have conquered your fear of heights before you do the trail, and be prepared to climb over boulders and inch your way along ledges that appear a little unreliable. The trail runs right under the cables of the cable car and gets its name from the shape of the ravine, which at a certain angle (and from a particular viewing point) resembles the continent of India (venster is Afrikaans for 'window').
India Venster comes with terms and conditions. Be careful, hikers say, this is the most difficult, albeit the most fun way of scrambling to the top of Table Mountain. Next to India Venster, Platteklip may well appear sedate. You might want to have conquered your fear of heights before you do the tra…
India Venster (Table Mountain) Hiking Time: 2 to 4 hours (one way) Region: Table Mountain, Cape Town Fitness level: 3 to 4 Technical Difficulty: C India Venster is one of the most beautiful and exciting hiking routes up Table Mountain. Yes, it is a tricky one with quite a bit of scrambling, and nothing like Platteklip (which is rather boring). It is recommended that you are in relatively good shape to do India Venster. This of course does not mean you have to be a top athlete, but India Venster will put level of fitness to the test – just bear that in mind. The route is known as dangerous. Well, if you follow the trail’s indicators (yellow foot prints and green or blue spray paint marks) and and use your common sense, you should be fine. The India Venster hike route starts about 50m to the right of the lower cable car station on Table Mountain Road. This path leads you straight to the contour path. It is a real thigh cruncher and a good warm up for the rest of the route. Walking up to the contour path should take you 15 to 20 minutes. When you reach the contour path, you will see a green sign pointing to your left and to your right (basically along the contourpath) . Indeed, India Venster is no longer indicated and starts behind that sign post UP the mountain (follow the blue and/or green spray paint marks and yellow footprints on the rocks). The scrambling is not to hectic, and is what makes this trail up Table Mountain so much fun! While doing your thing, do not forget to enjoy the scenery, stick to the path, and hike in groups. Rather go up India Venster than going down. NOTE: Only hike India Venster, or any other route on Table Mountain, when the weather is good, when visibility is clear and when the wind is minimal. Turn back when the weather starts to change. In summer, avoid hiking in mid-day due to high temperatures. Do not hike alone. Always carry warm clothing (even if it is warm – the weather can change within 20 minutes) sufficient water, snacks, sunscreen and a cellphone with emergency telephone numbers. Stick to the path. Please stay safe while hiking up and down our beautiful mountains, and read some of the safety precautions. Rather be safe than sorry, we always say! 🙂
India Venster (Table Mountain) Hiking Time: 2 to 4 hours (one way) Region: Table Mountain, Cape Town Fitness level: 3 to 4 Technical Difficulty: C India Venster is one of the most beautiful and exciting hiking routes up Table Mountain. Yes, it is a tricky one with quite a bit of scrambling, and n…
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