No trip to Cape Town would be truly complete without setting some time aside to experience a trip to Table Mountain. Once the habitat of lions and leopards, the mountain has come to be seen as a symbol of the city it towers over. But as spectacular as the views from the mountaintop are, there's enough to be enjoyed during the trip up and down in Cape Town's cable cars.
The first cars
It took over 40 years of discussion and planning - interrupted by two wars - before construction began in 1926, and the first cableway opened for business three years later in 1929. In the beginning, the construction of the cars featured a tin roof and sides made out of wood. Of course the design evolved over time, and cable cars leaving from Cape Town today are built to maximise the view during the journey, with a rotating floor ensuring a 360 degree view during the journey. The base of the cable car is filled with water, serving as ballast in the windy conditions - and it can get windy above Cape Town. Ascending to Table Mountain takes visitors 1067 metres above sea level, and the winds at that height can be extremely strong. Luckily, the cableway only operates when weather permits, which is often, and boasts an impeccable safety record.
A unique system
The system itself is fairly unique - Cape Town is the home of one of only three Rotair cable cars in the world (the others having homes in Switzerland and the USA). The system relies on two cable cars to counterbalance each other - as one goes up, the other comes down. The cars can't operate independently, but it also halves the wait whether you're ascending or descending. The cars travel at a maximum speed of ten metres per second - long enough to enjoy the view, and quickly enough to reach the summit in about 4 or 5 minutes. Good news for the traveller in a hurry. Each car can carry 65 passengers, and the cableway as a whole has transported over 20 million people from Cape Town to Table Mountain and back. They can't be booked in advance, though, and tend to become very busy on clear days.
Starting or finishing
If you're looking to take advantage of the adventurous activities around Table Mountain the cable cars are a convenient way of beginning or ending your chosen day. If you're interested in hiking up Table Mountain, but worried the descent back to Cape Town might be a step too far, then descending in a cable car will allow a quick and restful descent. Likewise, if abseiling down from the summit is your method of choice, a cable car up to Table Mountain could give you some perspective on your route, as well as letting you save your energy beforehand! Whether walking up from, or climbing back down to Cape Town, or even just enjoying a peaceful ride and appreciating the vista, the cable cars of Cape Town are something to experience in their own right.
Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made holidays.
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