Table Mountain, nominated as “One of The New 7 Natural Wonders”

Table Mountain: it's big, it's beautiful, and it’s free and on its way to becoming one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World. This iconic landmark has battled its way through to the last leg of the campaign to join an elite group of 28 finalists along with other famous sites such as America’s Grand Canyon and Australia's Great Barrier Reef. After all, we Capetonians are very proud of our "mountain" and we've been vigorously voting - along with the rest of South Africa - to ensure that Table Mountain gets the prestige it deserves by becoming one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

Table Mountain - along with Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro- are the only 2 African sites to make it through to the final leg of the competition, which aims to document monuments and conservation efforts worldwide.

See Table Mountain ... Before You Die

It's also easy to see why Table Mountain is in the running: according to popular travel website MSN Travel UK it's one of the "50 Places to See before You Die".

"Few world cities can compete with the natural backdrop of Cape Town. This beautiful city sits below the immense bulk of Table Mountain, is fringed by gorgeous beaches and cushioned by productive vineyards. But really all it takes is a ride up the mountain in Cape Town's iconic cable car and you'll understand why the city is so high on the list of places to see before you die."

Drink from Untouched Waterfalls & Rivers is what really makes Table Mountain so special.

We've all seen images of the classic flat-top Table Mountain from Cape Town's city centre and some of us have even been to the top of the mountain and down again in a cable car. But hidden away on the other side of the mountain is her enchanting Central and Back Table - a completely unspoilt natural wonderland just waiting to be discovered.

Here you can walk among secret forests and bizarre rock formations, and you can kick your shoes off and slip your feet into the clearest mountain streams. You can even drink water straight from the waterfalls - I've been told the water is so pure and the taste is so sensational that you'll never want to drink water out of a tap again.

Home to over 1 500 species of plants - more than the entire United Kingdom - you're sure to come across the most exquisite flowers that South Africa has to offer. You might even catch a glimpse of the rare Table Mountain ghost frog which is found in streams and dripping, forested gorges, or observe the many birds endemic to the region such as the Cape sugarbird and orange-breasted Sunbird.

It's worth mentioning that Table Mountain falls under the protection of the Table Mountain National Park which is recognised globally for its diverse and unique fauna and flora. With its sandstone flats, sheer cliffs and jagged peaks, there aren't many other places in the world where such extraordinary beauty and bio-diversity thrive within such a large city.

Adventure on the Mountain

Hiking on Table Mountain is popular among locals and tourists, and a number of trails of varying difficulty are available. For beginner hikers we recommend going up the steep but uncomplicated Platteklip Gorge hike, or the slightly less steep - but more challenging - Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge hike - both start at the lovely Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

If you're feeling up to it you can choose to hike down the mountain too but we recommend you take a scenic, relaxing cable car ride down the mountain instead - believe it or not it's often easier to hike up rather than down! Should you be a true adrenalin junkie and hiking is a little on the tame side for you, there's no shortage of heart-pounding adventure on Table Mountain: try your hand at rock climbing, abseiling or paragliding off the mountain.

So we're all holding thumbs for Table Mountain to become one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Is it worthy of its nomination? We like to think so but perhaps you'd better come and see for yourself.

Travel fact file

When coming to see Table Mountain, you'll want to wake up every morning with a great view of the mountain from wherever you choose to stay. This is why we recommend the following hotels that will provide you with the best Table Mountain views:

Boutique Manolo - a modern boutique hotel set on the slopes of Signal Hill with amazing views overlooking Table Mountain.

Cape Town Hollow - ideally situated in the shadow of Table Mountain, this small and private boutique hotel places special emphasis on its exceptional service standards and superior product.

One&Only Cape Town - this urban-chic island-style luxury resort is located in the Waterfront district of Cape Town and provides superb views of the marina and Table Mountain.

Park Inn Greenmarket Square - located in Greenmarket Square in the centre of Cape Town, you can enjoy the heated swimming pool and sundeck, fitness centre and 2 saunas which all come with spectacular views of Table Mountain.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is open daily (weather-permitting) and departs every 10 to 15 minutes from the Table Mountain Lower Station. Opening and closing times vary from season to season - in summer the cable car is open from 8am to 9pm, and in winter it's open from 8am to 6pm. The ride up the mountain takes about 10 minutes at a speed of 10 metres per second, and one cable car can hold up to 65 passengers.

The cable car ride rotates and provides a 360 degree view of Cape Town as you make your way to the top of the mountain. To get to the cable car visitors can take a City Sightseeing Bus or a taxi. Tickets cannot be prebooked and can be bought on the day you visit at the Lower Station ticket office.

The Table Mountain Cafe on top of the mountain is a self-service style canteen which can accommodate about 110 seated visitors indoors and 100 seated outside under shaded canopies. The cafe serves traditional South African cuisine, pizzas, burgers, pre-packed light meals, pastries, tea and coffee. The Table Mountain Cafe closes about 30 minutes before the cable car closes for the day.

Readers' Comments:

Have you been up Table Mountain? If so, we'd love to hear about your experience on the mountain. Let us know.

Cape Town
Table Mountain
By Avril Field