India Venster Trail
India Venster Trail
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14 reviews
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ariellemargot
Tulum, Mexico51 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This was SUCH a cool hike. I almost got scared away after reading various articles about the trail, but let me tell you, it was so fun and worth it.
To start the trail, head to the lower cableway station (on Tafelberg Rd). We easily Uber-ed here. Put some sunscreen on (the sun gets super hot, even in July when we went!) and then head to the trailhead, which is about 50m to the right of the cableway station (behind the buses).
The beginning of the trail is just steps up and up and up. It's definitely tiring, so take it slow! But the views are amazing, even from the beginning. Soon, maybe 15-30 minutes up, you'll see the sign for India Venster. You can either turn left and take Platteklip Gorge (supposedly this is just more stairs up and up) or go up to India Venster! Yes, up!
The rest of the trail is a mixture of scrambling (using your hands while climbing over rocks, sort of like a baby climbing the stairs) and some really fun vertical climbs. Sometimes, the trail blaze (yellow footprints) is above you! We found the trail to be really well marked.
Now, I'm not a rock climber by any means, or an expert hiker or anything like that. I'm just a generally fit person (no abs here!) and I just hike a few times a year. These vertical climbs are SO fun and I felt safe doing them. Some of them have some metal handles and chains to pull yourself up with, and others are just the rock face. But each time, it was clear where to put your hand and feet. I highly recommend going with someone you trust, who can encourage you and help guide you if need be!
To do this trail, I don't think you need any special skills! I think you need to be generally fit and willing to be out of breath at times (since it is a cardio workout for sure, it's going straight up a mountain, after all), at least average height, some determination, and a willingness to face your fears and try something new. We took it super slow -- others said it could be done in 2 hours, and we took a bit more than 3, but we felt good letting ourselves rest and taking in slow to support ourselves.
We decided to take the cable car down, which was annoyingly pricey (R151 a person) but we were too tired to do more hiking down.
One note -- if it's misty/cloudy/wet outside, I wouldn't recommend this trail.
But on a sunny day, do it and have fun!
To start the trail, head to the lower cableway station (on Tafelberg Rd). We easily Uber-ed here. Put some sunscreen on (the sun gets super hot, even in July when we went!) and then head to the trailhead, which is about 50m to the right of the cableway station (behind the buses).
The beginning of the trail is just steps up and up and up. It's definitely tiring, so take it slow! But the views are amazing, even from the beginning. Soon, maybe 15-30 minutes up, you'll see the sign for India Venster. You can either turn left and take Platteklip Gorge (supposedly this is just more stairs up and up) or go up to India Venster! Yes, up!
The rest of the trail is a mixture of scrambling (using your hands while climbing over rocks, sort of like a baby climbing the stairs) and some really fun vertical climbs. Sometimes, the trail blaze (yellow footprints) is above you! We found the trail to be really well marked.
Now, I'm not a rock climber by any means, or an expert hiker or anything like that. I'm just a generally fit person (no abs here!) and I just hike a few times a year. These vertical climbs are SO fun and I felt safe doing them. Some of them have some metal handles and chains to pull yourself up with, and others are just the rock face. But each time, it was clear where to put your hand and feet. I highly recommend going with someone you trust, who can encourage you and help guide you if need be!
To do this trail, I don't think you need any special skills! I think you need to be generally fit and willing to be out of breath at times (since it is a cardio workout for sure, it's going straight up a mountain, after all), at least average height, some determination, and a willingness to face your fears and try something new. We took it super slow -- others said it could be done in 2 hours, and we took a bit more than 3, but we felt good letting ourselves rest and taking in slow to support ourselves.
We decided to take the cable car down, which was annoyingly pricey (R151 a person) but we were too tired to do more hiking down.
One note -- if it's misty/cloudy/wet outside, I wouldn't recommend this trail.
But on a sunny day, do it and have fun!
Written July 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.
Meredith P
Haverford, PA1 contribution
Nov 2017 • Solo
If you truly want to make your hike spectacular and memorable, I highly recommend the India Ventster Trail to anyone who plans to hike Table Mountain!!!
Written December 19, 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.
Daan C
43 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Amazing hike! It is quite steep all the way with some minor climbing! During the whole trip you have incredible views. Easy doable without a guide, the yellow footsteps are easy to find.
Written April 21, 2022
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.
205JamieR205
Grand Rapids, MI295 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
I’ll never forget this hike. It was amazing. I went with a guide, and for the first part I was feeling like I probably could have managed alone; however, as we progressed, I was incredibly glad to have her. (Full disclosure: I am also not a super experienced hiker, so her suggestions on where to climb were very helpful.) There is a fair amount of vertical climbing, using handholds, staples, and chains. I am moderately afraid of heights, so those parts were a challenge for me. It was totally worth it though. The views were incredible, and you get to see so much flora. I was also glad that I had legitimate trail shoes with some grip to them. It was definitely strenuous, and I got a really good workout along with an unforgettable experience. I would not recommend for young children or people not in good physical condition.
Written November 3, 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.
Miguel Ferreira
St. Helier, UK124 contributions
May 2018
Amazing amazing hike! Quite difficult but if your fit you should have no problems. We are fairly fit people and we’re a little concerned about which trail to take and after reading and asking people decided to take the India Venster trail and very please we did. The views were unbelievable and one of the best hikes I’ve done! (Follow the yellow feet) Probably wouldn’t recommend climbing down as this is would be quite difficult and a little dangerous as several signs mention it too! Hope you enjoy this hike as much as I did.
Written May 1, 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.
Why is it called "Indian Venster"?
Written September 12, 2018
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