Maclear's Beacon
Maclear's Beacon
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
27 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
6
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4
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Redah
Cape Town, South Africa43 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
It just had to be done and so I started a plan to get to the highest point in Cape Town. I took a bus to Cape town then afterward connected with a Myciti bus from Adderley street to Kloofnek bus stop. Another connecting ride, which was free on the day, took me to the lower Cable station from Kloofnek. The wait for the Table Mountain cable car was frustrating long and aggravated by the hot weather, but we were all warned. Also bring lots of water and energy drinks. So do come early or later in the afternoon for quicker waiting times. Once I came to the top, via the cable car, the hike began towards Maclear Beacon. We passes the top point of Platterkloof Gorge which is the easiest hike up to the mountain. There are plenty of maps along the route to guide you but please make sure you have an overall idea of the area. Once there, a short route takes you to the edge of the mountain and you can see the whole Cape Peninsula. You just have to see it.
Leaving Maclear Beacon, I hiked back down Skeleton Gorge which was a bit tough on the knees but I made it to Kirstenbosch Garden as my final destination.
Leaving Maclear Beacon, I hiked back down Skeleton Gorge which was a bit tough on the knees but I made it to Kirstenbosch Garden as my final destination.
Written January 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonny V
Chicago, IL73 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
It's a pretty easy hike to get to Maclear's Beacon. I would recommend it for anyone that wants to move away from the tourists at the top of the cable car area.
Written December 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tourist66483299702
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Friends
The place is amazing! beautiful experience I would go as many times as possible you look at beautiful view experience and also you can do all the itenerary’s without no complaint! a very beautiful journey indeed!
Written March 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eleanor M
scotland289 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
From the top of the cableway, it is an easy walk along the top to McLears beacon which is easily seen. Trainers or waling shoes pretty essential, don’t try it in flip flops!. Well worth the extra walk, we thoroughly enjoyed it despite the heat, met lots of interesting people, some of whom had walked to the top and intended walking back! Even more enjoyed the nice cool beer at the cableway cafe. Fabulous views, a must do!
Written November 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
25wanderlings
178 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
You can easily reach Maclear's Beacon on a relatively flat 45 minute hike from the cable car landing at the top of Table Mountain. The hike offers nice views and is not strenuous, but offers you the chance to view the extent of the table portion of the mountain.
Written November 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
antoniya_arutyunyan
Varna, Bulgaria38 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
It is not nessesary to hike to Maclears Beacon. Yoy could walk throught the table mountain flat back and use the cable way to go up and down. Its a beautiful view on all the way and nice way to spent a half day or just few hours. We were using Skeletone Gorge on our way up which is like moderate dificulty and went to the lake ot the way to the peak, then went down with a cable car which made our trip more scenary
Written October 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeganThomas
Hampshire, UK185 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
I find enormous pleasure in walking in the footsteps of the great and visiting the places of their great achievements, so reach Thomas Maclear's Trig Point via the Smuts Track was a double thrill. The Beacon is a reconstruction of that built by Sir Thomas MacLear in 1865 and which later fell into disrepair. The cairn itself was built as one of three trig points to provide measurement of the Cape Arc of Meridian and prove that the earth was round(ish) and not pear shaped as had been claimed - long story. The cairn itself is easy to climb for the imperative photo and the views are magnificent. I have hiked to the beacon via the Skelton Gorge route and also walked from the Upper Cable Car Station (rather easier). If walking to the Upper Cable Car Station, weather permitting, it is worth taking the route along the front of the table top, which is well signed, for the dramatic views. In poor visibility however this route will be treacherous due to the walker's proximity to the edge of the mountain (within a couple of feet in places).
Written September 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veronica Hunter
Medford, NJ6,348 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
Bike and Saddle, Cape Town hiking guide took me on an all day hike on Table Mountain, starting from Kirstenbosch
Written September 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew B
Lincoln, UK12,153 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
Maclear's Beacon is the highest point on Table Mountain so probably worth doing for that fact if nothing else. Being the wrong side of 60 I found it quite a hard c 90 minute walk from the the upper cable car station to the beacon. The toughest part was going up and down the Platteklip Gorge - steep and not easy to negotiate - probably more difficult going down than coming up.
A reasonable path and well signposted although you can see the beacon from a long way off but it always seems to be further away than you think. It is also quite a tricky climb to the beacon itself. Good photo opportunities here - of the beacon itself and of the surrounds - views you don't get if you don't go further than 200 metres from the cable car station.
Worth doing for the views and walk but allow around 2 hours for the return trip.
A reasonable path and well signposted although you can see the beacon from a long way off but it always seems to be further away than you think. It is also quite a tricky climb to the beacon itself. Good photo opportunities here - of the beacon itself and of the surrounds - views you don't get if you don't go further than 200 metres from the cable car station.
Worth doing for the views and walk but allow around 2 hours for the return trip.
Written May 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MFC31
London, UK4,002 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
After hiking up to the top of table mountain we saw the trail to Maclear’s Beacon. It’s such an easy trek, takes about 35 minutes each way. Once there though, it’s a bit anti-climatic! The views are still spectacular, but the beacon itself isn’t worth seeing unless this is a hobby of yours. It’s worth it for the views though, they are incredible!
Written April 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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