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The dust has barely settled on the world-class hosting of the Cape Town Cycle tour this past weekend, but sporting and adventure enthusiasts are no doubt looking for their next challenge. Well, there's one with a really good cause happening in less than three months' time.
The Cableway Charity Challenge, one of Cape Town's most iconic charity climbs, returns to Table Mountain on Saturday, 9 May 2026.
Hosted by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, the endurance fundraising event challenges participants to climb Platteklip Gorge as many times as possible between sunrise and sunset. Runners, walkers and casual hikers are all invited to take part, with every ascent helping to raise funds.
This year, the charity is aiming to surpass its R1.2 million fundraising goal. Support for local organisations with the funds raised this year will include Wilderness Search and Rescue, Volunteer Wildfire Services, SANParks Honorary Rangers, and youth development initiatives such as Ubuntu Football Academy.
How the challenge works
The concept is simple but demanding: participants aim to complete as many laps up Platteklip Gorge as they can in a single day. Each summit contributes to fundraising efforts for a group of nominated beneficiaries working across conservation, rescue services and community upliftment.
Participants can enter in three categories:
- Individual Challenge: Open to single participants who raise a minimum of R3,000.
- Corporate Challenge: Teams of five from corporate organisations, with an entry fee of R17,500 per team.
- School Challenge: Five-member school teams raising a minimum of R10,000.
All participants receive event goodie bags, while top performers compete for prizes and floating trophies.
Adventure-driven impact
Now in its 17th year, the Cableway Charity Challenge has become a unique fixture on Cape Town’s outdoor calendar. The event was founded in 2009 by Anton and Brigitte de Waal to support educational and social initiatives in underprivileged communities and it has grown steadily over the years. As of 2025, the event is being organised by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company in partnership with volunteers from the JDI Foundation.
Key 2025 highlights:
- 199 participants
- 29 teams (including 19 corporate and 10 school teams)
- 600 total laps completed up Table Mountain
- 9 summits completed by the top individual athlete on the day
How to get involved
Registration for the 2026 Cableway Charity Challenge is now open, and participants can sign up as individuals, corporate teams or school teams. Supporters can also sponsor participants to help boost fundraising totals.
Need a little bit of inspiration or to get your summit training going? Check out our list of the best day hikes close to Cape Town.
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