Diagonal Route to Tranquility Cracks, Down Corridor Ravine Loop – (Table Mountain NP – Cape Town).

One of the many, many highlights of Table Mountain are the numerous routes and paths established over the centuries which hikers can pick and choose from. The almost endless permutations of potential routes to choose from can keep any avid hiker in the Cape busy for years on end. After countless trips up Platteklip or Skeleton Gorge one inevitably begins to seek something different. This variation or others like it may provide the answer. This trail begins and ends on Theresa Avenue in Bakoven where the majority of other hikers parked in the vicinity will be doing the Pipe Track or the infamous Kasteelspoort route to the Diving Board. The route recorded here follows the same jeep tracks up as the Kasteelspoort route before meeting the Pipe Track and heading North along it. Shortly thereafter this trail diverges at the Diagonal Route signposted intersection which is clearly marked. It is after this diversion that the path less travelled nature of the Diagonal becomes apparent as the gradient sharply ascends and winds its way up to a small ledge like cave which offers a picturesque view of Camps Bay, Lions Head and the Back Table all the way up to the Cable Car Station. After a well-deserved stop at the cave, the path bends around the buttress to the South and meets Porcupine Ravine where it ascends sharply upward before diverging over the next buttress, again to the South. After a short relatively easy, albeit slightly exposed section, the trail reaches its high point and levels out before descending gradually towards the top of Kasteelspoort. From here the diving board and the old Cable Car Station is a stone throw away and well worth a visit if it is not too crowded with tourists, be sure to step with caution and take care. After visiting the diving board this recording follows the Apostles Path South for a short way before diverting for a quick stop at Rendezvous Cave and then continuing towards the Tranquility Cracks, some of the Table Mountain overnight cottages will be visible on the Left. After passing the trail summit of Woody Ravine, one reaches the aptly named Saucy Dog Rock Feature which is also the summit of the Three Firs route. Then after passing the Slangoliekloof Ravine summit, marked with a dangerous descent warning the Apostles Path heads towards Corridor Ravine and the Tranquility Cracks. The Tranquility Cracks are quite the sight if one can find them. The path off to them is faint and can be easily missed but this recording should help guide. Once found there are a numerous forested cracks, caves and boulders to explore, an entire day could be dedicated to this activity if one chooses. After exploring the cracks, the path heads back to the Apostles Path along the same route taken in and then descends down Corridor Ravine on the same Western Side of Table Mountain which was ascended earlier via the Diagonal Route. Corridor Ravine has sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean over Llandudno and Oudekraal and descends rather rapidly before bending around the buttress into Slangoliekloof. At the time of writing the path in Slangoliekloof had recently experienced a bit of a rock or landslide due to the heavy June 2023 rains. A section of the path had been washed away and it might require one to scramble over a few boulders and logs to reach the path again. We were warned by some concerned hikers earlier that crossing the landslide was in no way safe and should be avoided but in my opinion, it was not unsafe, or technical, and was very much doable for anyone with adequate coordination, just proceed slowly and keep your concentration, there were a few young children who managed this so enough said. After crossing this obstacle it’s a straightforward somewhat level walk back along the ever-scenic Pipe Track back to the starting point on Theresa Avenue. Almost all in our group found the trail most enjoyable with varying levels of difficulty between the sections, the ascent can be strenuous at times, but it isn’t relentless and there are level sections. The route changes rapidly with a new ravine or highlight appearing one after the next so it makes for a hike that is in no way monotonous. It is a variation I can highly recommend trying out, especially if you have covered Table Mountain’s more conventional routes countless times. There are some fairly steep climbs, descents and a small section of exposure exiting Porcupine Ravine which might test those who are afraid of heights but for the rest the path is straightforward, scenic and easy. We attempted this trail in Winter after substantial rains and similar conditions can make the route up Porcupine Ravine slippery as the path turns into a small cascading stream, take caution and be aware of the risks. As always with any hike in or around Cape Town take care with your belongings and ensure that nothing of value is left in your car when parked on Theresa Avenue. Security in Bakoven is better than many other trail start/end points in Cape Town but as always remain cautious at all times, especially at dawn and dusk, leave any valuables at home if possible and do not let the risks deter you. Please report any suspicious activity to the authorities and take note of the emergency contact information on the signboard on Theresa Avenue where the trail starts and ends.