Keeping fit on holiday in Cape Town!

Trail Running and Hiking

The Pipe Track, Table Mountain (± 6km; 2–3 hours; easy going) – Begins at the first parking lot on Tafelberg Road, and is an easier trail leading around Table Mountain, rather than up it, to Corridor Ravine. Though the vistas are no less spectacular, showing off the surrounding peaks of Table Mountain National Park and rolling Atlantic Ocean below.

Woodcutters Trail, Newlands Forest (± 6km; ± 2 hours; easy going) ­– Begins at the Newlands Forest parking, reached by taking the ‘Newlands Fire Base’ turn-off, and runs along the base of the forest. This is one of the prettiest beginner-friendly trails on smooth gravel paths and boardwalks, crossing numerous streams, and shaded by dense, indigenous vegetation.

Platteklip Gorge, Table Mountain (± 2.5km; 2–3 hours; moderate) – Begins at the Aerial Cableway’s Lower Cable Car Station (on Nicol Street) and leads up the northern slope, through the fynbos, along a river, and between the sandstone cliffs. This short, steep trail to the top gets the heart pumping – as much for the view, considered one of the most epic in Africa!

Lion’s Head Trail (± 5km; 2–3 hours; moderate) – Begins at the Lion’s Head parking lot, reached by taking the Lion’s Head/Signal Hill turn-off from Kloof Road, and winds around the mountain. The path from the start leads uphill for quite a way, offering a particularly good workout – and views across the city, Table Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. 

Skeleton Gorge Trail, Table Mountain (± 6.5km; 4–5 hours; challenging) – Begins in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (entrance on Rhodes Drive, Newlands) and takes in the forested eastern slopes. The final push will be well-worth it to emerge onto Maclearrs Beacon ­– the highest point of Table Mountain, 1 086m above sea-level.

Jogging and Walking

Yellow and Red Running Routes, V&A Waterfront (2.5km and 5km; easy going) ­–
Lively runs starting at the Tourist Info Centre and taking in the sights and sounds of this busting seaside hub, with lookout points along the way – spot dolphins or even whales!

Parkrun, Green Point Urban Park (5km; easy going) – Part of the global movement of Saturday morning timed runs, the course takes in this vibrant inner-city park – also a favourite with families – but this early, you’ll likely have it all to yourselves.

Sea Point Promenade, Sea Point (11km; moderate) – A flat, scenic route along the Atlantic, offering plenty of fresh sea air to fill your lungs and any number of stops, from public art installations to ice-cream parlours – you’ve earned it!  

Tafelberg Road, Table Mountain Nature Reserve (12km; challenging) – A mountainside route including a few switchbacks, with the upside being a car-free 2km shared only by other joggers, the occasional cyclist, and dog walkers. 

Camps Bay to Suikerbossie (22km; challenging) – A long, steady incline route to the top of Suikerbosie hill (rewarded with a charming view over Hout Bay Harbour) and all the way back again into Camps Bay… for breakfast?

Yoga

Private Classes: An energizing way to start the day or wind down after a few on-the-go hours of sightseeing ­– enjoy one-on-one classes with an experienced yogi from The Om Revolution in the peace and tranquility of your hotel suite.  

Beach Classes: For those not wanting to miss a minute of Cape Town’s fresh sea air and sunshine (up to 14 hours in summer!) – The Om Revolution also offers group yoga sessions on Clifton 3rd Beach and the Sea Point Promenade – weather permitting. 

Studio Classes: Guests who prefer the more social setting of a studio will conveniently find Yoga Zone – offering a variety of yoga styles and formats, from Monday to Sunday – just around the corner in Kloof Street. 

Pilates

Stretching, aligning, strengthening, toning, and breathing… ­we love Pilates for a full body-conditioning workout that leaves us feeling invigorated! Woodstock Pilates is our go-to for private, semi-private and group classes, offered Monday to Saturday in their well-equipped studios. 

Boxing  

A great way to beat lingering stress, get a full-body workout – and feel like a bit of a badass. We’re big fans of The Armoury Boxing Club’s CrossBox class (offered Monday to Saturday), which combines functional training and authentic boxing techniques to build fitness and learn basic skills.

Switch It Up

Holidays send routines packing, so it's a good time to switch up your workout, too ­– and Switch Playground is just the place to do this. After a yoga flow warm-up, you’ll move through 21 workout stations – guided by expert trainers and pumped up by live DJ sets –
for a fun, full-body training session. And you’ll never repeat a sequence – they’re (you guessed it!) switched up daily.  

There’s an App for That

For any other activity you’d like to try, there’s MINDBODY (free for IOS and Android). The app lets you find and book the best fitness classes in your location – as well as spa and beauty services to help you unwind, sort out any niggling muscles, and leave you looking as good as you feel.

Please note: We offer complimentary, shared transfers within a 6km (4mi) radius of our More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel and Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel.

Words by: Jade Crocket