I moved to Cape Town about 20 months ago and realised one thing; all the Capetonians was on to something. This mountain is special! You can see it from anywhere and everywhere and it is simply spectacular. The funny thing is in these 20 months I have not been on top of Table Mountain. I know, right? Even worse, I think the last time I was on the top was many years ago in primary school on a visit to the grandparents.

But you see, for me it is the ultimate destination in Cape Town. And everyone knows, looking forward to something is half the fun. I left the mountain alone, I let the excitement build, until I could not hold in anymore. With my fresh Wild Card in my hand I tempted myself by going to Cape Point, it is in Table Mountain National Park after all. I don’t think it would be possible to make a list of my favourite national parks, but if I could Table Mountain National Park would be very high on that list.

The road to Cape Point is very distracting in the best of ways. Soon I find myself walking on stunning beaches and then relaxing next to a tidal pool following a seagull as it plays in the wind. I stop at Da Gama and Dias Cross. Two navigational beacons erected by the Portuguese government to point out Whittle Rock in False Bay, a dangerous shipping hazard, read: a big rock under the water (we are so boring these days, we use a buoy to show the position). Soon I am at another beach, face to face with an ostrich. There are other large animals, but they seem a bit shy.

I aim for the lighthouse, which is an easy stroll from the visitor centre. I spot two tourists standing looking out to sea. I knew they were tourists, because they stared at a rock in the sea – hoping it was a whale. They asked me what it was and even after showing them a close-up photo of the rock in the sea, they still thought it was a whale. I gave up explaining. Tourists. Something I did not tell them was that 5 minutes earlier I took that photo of a rock in the sea, hoping it was a whale. Walking towards the lighthouse you get stunning views of Diaz Beach and the southernmost tip of the peninsula. The old lighthouse was not very effective and was replaced by the new lighthouse in 1919 – the most powerful on the South African coast. The old lighthouse does still serve as a good photo opportunity. I find my eyes constantly wondering to the other side of Table Mountain National Park. I had a mountain in my path and it had to be climbed.

Sometime the weather does play along in the Cape of Storms. The clouds pull away, the wind is a slight puff. A perfect day for clambering up Platteklip Gorge. I have never climbed up Table Mountain and have not been on the summit in many years. I was extremely excited. My friends seemed a bit nervous, they have done this before. That made me nervous. The trail starts with steps immediately and does not stop until 3km later when you are on the summit. Yes. Your legs will get a workout. Yes. If you are unfit start doing those squats. Yes. You will love every second of it. There is a stream in the lower parts that keeps you company. I made sure to stop often, turn around and tell my friends I am taking in the spectacular view across the city. It may have been to give my legs a rest.

The path zig zag higher and higher. As you near the top, the cliffs from the mountain tower over you on either side. Water trickling down. Still you go higher. More often I must stop to admire the view. Up and up, until the cliffs spit you out onto the summit as you get your first glimpse towards the south. We made it. I climbed the mountain in my path. All those long months of looking up at it. Now I am looking down from the top and it is breath-taking. The views in all directions doesn’t stop, but more than that, everything looks better from here. Lions Head, Camps Bay, Cape Town. The world makes more sense from on top of a mountain. All pain in my legs forgotten. We crack open a beer, as is the ritual after any hike, everyone knows that. We get a secluded spot and just sit and stare. All too soon it was time to head down. I glance down to the city below and with a smile on my face I think. This mountain is special. Table Mountain National Park is special. And it is in my backyard.