If views are more important to you than the sense of achievement from hiking Table Mountain, or if you are very unfit, then you should consider taking the cable car to the summit and exploring the ‘table’ of Table Mountain. Also known as the upper plateau or summit plateau, it measures about 2.5 kilometers in length and ranges in width from around 100 meters on its western tip to almost a kilometer on its eastern side. Because Table Mountain’s summit is a plateau, you have to do a bit of walking to get views in all directions. Most people who take the cable car up, or even hike up, only get to see the western Table; very few take the time and make the effort to explore the eastern Table, but some of the best views are to be had on this unfrequented part of the summit. The terrain is mostly flat and the walking along good paths for much of the way. One of my Top 10 Table Mountain viewpoints is located on the eastern Table, and very few people ever visit the place. Walking across the ‘table’ ranks as one of the best Table Mountain walks, and can be enjoyed by people of all fitness levels. It also includes Maclear’s Beacon, the official highest point on Table Mountain (and the Cape Peninsula).
(c) www.hiketablemountain.co.za