Skeleton Gorge/Smuts Track hike

Skeleton Gorge (the beginning of a route known as Smuts Track) ascends from the 310m contour path above the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It's one of the most scenic routes up Table Mountain and provides spectacular views over False Bay, south towards Cape Point and east to the Hottentots Holland Mountains.

The route is moderate to fairly strenous: the trail is a steep ascent shaded by indigenous forest, while the terrain includes steep stairs, a steep rocky river bed and ladders.

On reaching the top we continued on to the Hely-Hutchinson Reservoir, one of the 5 dams on Table Mountain.

After a swim in the dam, we continued on Smuts Track along the eastern flank of the mountain until we reached Maclear's Beacon - the highest point on Table Mountain - until finally retracing our steps back to Kirstenbosch.

Ascended at 10am, descended just after 4pm.