INDIA VENSTER
For those with a sense of adventure, this hike offers a more interesting (but more difficult) alternative to the Platteklip Gorge. This steep route winds around Venster Buttress with small scrambling sections and incredible views all the way up.
DIFFICULTY
DIFFICULT
TIME
2h30
DISTANCE (km)
3.01
ROUTE TYPE
OUT & BACK
ELEVATION (m)
820
Not dog friendly
Yes
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The trail begins just before the Lower Cable Station and heads up gradually to the Contour Path and India Venster trailhead. It instantly gets steeper as the path climbs beneath the line of the cable car. Halfway up there are a series of srambles aided by bolted handles. The ascent continues before flattening out (relatively) as you round the top of the Table and approach the path heading to the Upper Cable Station from the back.
TRAIL TRIVIA
What's in a name? The route goes over India Ravine, which is a similar shape to the country India. ‘Venster’ means 'window' in Afrikaans ’ and refers to the gap in the rocks seen on the route formed by a chockstone that looks like a window.
IMAGES
WEATHER
OTHER HIKES
HIKE ONE
HIKE TWO
HIKE THREE