Kloof Corner Ridge

by Sean Houghton in November 2011 - Hiker's Circle

Kloof Corner Ridge is one of the more iconic ascents of Table Mountain. It should however, never be attempted by casual hikers or ramblers who wish to explore the Mountain while they’re at the cableway and may just as well do so.

Kloof Corner is the ridge that stretches up to just beneath the upper cableway from the bottom of Lion’s Head. It is the feature that gives tourists in the cableway that wow feeling as it nears the upper station when Camps Bay appears suddenly on the other side of it far below. Sharp-eyed funicular passengers will sometimes spot hikers and climbers walking along the top of the ridge beneath the ‘telephone’ poles and wonder what the heck they’re doing there.

Kloof Corner has something for every level of serious hiker/climber. There are pitches to challenge and exhilarate the most experi-enced and hard-core rock climbers and there are ‘easier’ routes that allow less intrepid or experienced hikers to bypass the more extreme climbs and still make it safely to the top.

We must stress however, that if you intend to climb this route you need some degree of experience on other less challenging routes on Table Mountain, must be relatively fit and also have good upper body strength. And whatever you do, please only attempt this climb with an experienced climbing guide who has done it several times before.

There are three sections which are climbed by using chains affixed to the rocks, the first, at the start, is five- or six-metres long, the second, near the top, is around 15-metres long and the third on the ridge, is a shorter chain in a rock split. It may not sound much, but most of us don’t do a lot of intense climbing and it can get tiring on your arms and shoulders, so just be aware of this before setting out. It may also be a good idea to take a pair of gloves with you because your hands may be sweating and the chains can also get very hot in the sun.

If you really can’t make the 15m-chain, there is a bypass route on the Camps Bay side of the ridge that makes its way beneath the top of the ridge and meets up with Kloof Corner Ridge at Fountain Ledge. You can then make your way back along the ridge to enjoy most of the views you’ve missed.

Speaking of views… the views from Kloof Corner Ridge are some of the most spectacular and seldom seen views on Table Mountain. The views from Kloof Buttress over Camps Bay and all along the Twelve Apostles have to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

There are also superb views along the front of the Mountain and of the City Bowl and Lion’s Head. One of my personal favourites however, is the view looking up at the upper station from the top of the ridge. This geckos-eye view of the cableway perched atop the massive monolith is certainly imposing and humbling and definitely memorable. This is also a great place to stop and have tea and soak in the views all around you and perhaps even watch some of the really brave people abseiling down the side of the Mountain onto Fountain Ledge! It is Yikes stuff and something I’d really love to try but don’t know that I could ever summon the courage to actually do it.

If you have a head for heights and are brave enough to climb the actual Ridge route, be warned that there are several sections of exposure with LEE (life ending event) drops should something go wrong. This is why it is absolutely necessary to be accompanied by an expert climbing guide on this route.

Another tricky feature of Kloof Corner Ridge is something called the 11-Inch Crack. This is an approximately 10-meter high split in a massive rock that is just narrow enough to squeeze into and gecko-climb your way to the top. This is where the third chain is situated and you need to wiggle and squirm to grab it and haul yourself up onto the chock-stone then up. The crack has been worn smooth by all the climbers who have pushed and squeezed their way up over the years and is not the easiest climb in the world for inexperienced people. It is very advisable to harness up and have your guide belay for you from the top!

As stated previously, Kloof Corner Ridge meets Fountain Ledge and this is the recommended route to get off the Mountain. Make your way around the back of the Mountain and descend Platteklip Gorge or cheat and take the cableway!

Please remember Full Circle does not claim to be a definitive hiking guide and you should only attempt this, or any other hike on Table Mountain, if accompanied by an experienced guide.