Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are a prominent feature in any drive along the Cape Peninsula's Atlantic Coast, and stops to admire the scenic peaks are common on Cape Peninsula tours. You can also bike along the road at the base of the range on a cycling tour, or see the peaks from above on a helicopter tour of the coastline. Alternatively, take to the mountains on a guided hiking tour for a challenging, yet rewarding, excursion.

• The Twelve Apostles are a favorite among nature-lovers and photographers.

• The best views of the Twelve Apostles are from the scenic turnouts along Victoria Road.

• The range’s hiking trails vary in intensity but are typically steep and rugged.

• There are numerous beach towns along the base of the mountains where you can stop for lunch or drinks.

To reach via car, beginning at the saddle between Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, drive Victoria Road along the base of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. Book a Cape Peninsula tour to let someone else do the driving while you take in the mountains on one side and the beaches on the other. Popular hiking trails can be reached from the summit of Table Mountain or from Camps Bay.

You can take in the Twelve Apostles scenery at any time, but for the best lighting and photo opportunities, visit around sunset. A clear day provides the best views of the peaks, but the rock formations shrouded by clouds are also picturesque.

Most hiking trails in the Twelve Apostles require moderate to advanced fitness levels and an equivalent sense of adventure. If you start at the base of the bluffs and head for the peaks, expect to encounter steep rocky terrain, solitude, and worth-the-effort views. For views without the climb, take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain and follow the comparatively easy trails along the top of the Twelve Apostles.

Sir Rufane Donkin named Cape Town’s Twelve Apostles in 1820. There are 12 buttresses (18 peaks are part of the range), so naming them after the biblical 12 apostles of Christ likely seemed appropriate. Although each buttress is named, none are named after Jesus’ apostles.

The Twelve Apostles range forms the back, sea-facing side of Table Mountain in Cape Town. The mountains run from Kloof Nek (the saddle between Table Mountain and Lion’s Head) to Hout Bay. A road passes beneath the range. The beaches along the route are easy and enjoyable to visit.

Yes, Cape Town’s Twelve Apostles mountain range is a popular tourist site. The Cape Peninsula’s Atlantic Coast Road runs beside the 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) range, giving many travelers views of the Twelve Apostles while driving around Cape Town or taking a road trip. They are especially popular with photographers.

From north to south, they are Kloof, Fountain, Porcupine, Jubilee, Barrier, Valken, Kasteel, Postern, Wood, Spring, Slangolie, Corridor, Separation, Victoria, Grove, Llandudno Peak, Llandudno Corridor, and Hout Bay Corner. Each of the 12 buttresses has a name, as do the peaks that form the mountain range, for 18 total.

Yes, the Twelve Apostles range in Cape Town is worth visiting. The beautiful mountains are characteristic of the cliffy landscape around the cape. Travelers can drive along the Atlantic Coast Road beneath the mountains or get up into the mountains for hiking and mountain climbing if feeling more adventurous.

Summer is the ideal time to visit the Twelve Apostles in Cape Town. It’s best to see them (and photograph them) on a clear day, whether from the road or up high in the mountains. The weather tends to be clear and sunny in summer, from December to March.