Hike Frustration Gorge: An Off-the-Beaten-Track Table Mountain Adventure
Frustration Gorge is a delightful, off-the-beaten-track route. It starts in Orange Kloof, a lush, secluded valley behind Table Mountain. Entrance to Orange Kloof is restricted. The route follows a ravine. This ravine is choked with Afro-montane forest. This forest resembles a tropical jungle. The hike involves some B-grade scrambling. Only one section is mildly exposed to heights. Frustration Gorge offers unique features among Table Mountain hikes.
Unique Jungle Setting and Serenity
The first unique attribute is its enchanting jungle setting. It often remains undisturbed for weeks. It’s easy to linger, soaking up the mystical atmosphere. The surroundings are pristine. In winter, water cascades down the gorge. It forms small waterfalls. During summer, the jungle provides welcome shade.
Stunning Views Beyond the Gorge
Table Mountain hiking offers great diversity in views and terrain. Frustration Gorge amply demonstrates this. Past the main ravine sections, the jungle opens up. It reveals striking views back down the gorge. You also see sweeping views across Orange Kloof. The route finishes on the Twelve Apostles. This is a chain of peaks behind Table Mountain’s famous tabletop summit. You gain stunning views from an unusual angle. See the Back Table and the tabletop summit in the distance. This is a far cry from the jungle’s gloom. You’ll find yourself on a shrub-clad plateau. It’s punctuated with wind-sculpted rocks. A short distance further, the land drops away to the Atlantic Ocean far below.
A Rewarding Wilderness Experience
Beyond the views, this route offers a superb wilderness experience. Enjoy abundant peace and quiet. Solitude is guaranteed. If you appreciate communion with nature, this route will reward you deeply. You’re unlikely to encounter frustrations here. Perhaps only that the route ends too soon! The gorge gets its name from Frustration Buttress, an adjacent climbing area. Climbers named it in 1935 after being defeated just 5 meters from their new route’s top. Frustration Gorge truly embodies vintage Table Mountain hiking. It packs a lot of mountain character despite its low-key status.