The Hoerikwaggo Trail – Hiking Spectacular through Table Mountain
Taking its name from the original Khoi'san word for Table Mountain, which they call 'mountain in the sea', the Hoerikwaggo Trail offers hikers a spectacular 97 kilometer trail, winding its way through the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) from Cape Town to Cape Point. The scenery along the Hoerikwaggo Trail is breath-taking, while the flora and fauna is varied and fascinating, with many plant species being endemic to this area.
Hoerikwaggo is the result of a four year long Table Mountain National Park initiative using the skills of unemployed path builders to open up previously inaccessible land, allowing hikers to walk freely across terrain that was home to the nomadic Khoekhoen and San peoples some 100,000 years ago. These path builders now act as rangers, guides and porters, sharing their extensive knowledge of the area with hikers. Parts of the Hoerikwaggo Trail are still a work in progress and on completion the trail will be a five-night, six-day journey. Currently, hiking Hoerikwaggo can be undertaken in three separate two-night, three day stages, with each stage having its own special features. Overnight tented camps placed at Orange Kloof above Hout Bay, Silvermine below Noordhoek Peak and Slangkop Point near the lighthouse at Kommetjie, ensure that hikers have a good night’s sleep in preparation for the next day’s trek. There is certainly no better way to enjoy the natural beauty of this Western Cape treasure, than by hiking the Hoerikwaggo Trail.