Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape Town
Maclears' Beacon, highest point on Table Mountain. © Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape Town
Maclear's Beacon, standing at 1,086 meters (3,563 feet) above sea level, is the highest point on Table Mountain, one of Cape Town's most iconic landmarks. Named after Sir Thomas Maclear, an Irish-born astronomer and surveyor, the beacon was constructed in 1865 as a triangulation station for geodetic surveys. Maclear's work was crucial in the 19th century for mapping and understanding the region’s geography, contributing significantly to the field of astronomy and geodesy.
Reaching Maclear's Beacon involves a trek across the top of Table Mountain, providing hikers with an opportunity to experience the unique flora and fauna of this natural wonder. The route typically begins at the upper cableway station, following the marked paths through the fynbos-covered plateau. The hike offers breathtaking panoramic views of Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding mountains, making it a rewarding journey for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
The beacon itself is a simple stone cairn, yet it holds great historical and scientific significance. Sir Thomas Maclear's work, in collaboration with the famous French astronomer Abbé Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, helped correct earlier measurements of the Earth's curvature and contributed to the verification of the Earth's shape. This accomplishment highlights the beacon's role not only as a navigational aid but also as a monument to scientific progress and exploration.
Visitors to Maclear's Beacon can enjoy the serene environment and spectacular vistas that stretch out in all directions. The location is also a great spot for photography, picnicking, and reflection, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling city below. The combination of natural beauty, historical importance, and scientific achievement makes Maclear's Beacon a noteworthy destination on Table Mountain.
Five interesting things about Maclear's Beacon:
1. Highest Point: Maclear's Beacon is the highest point on Table Mountain, standing at 1,086 meters above sea level.
2. Historical Significance: The beacon was constructed in 1865 by Sir Thomas Maclear as part of his geodetic survey work, which was crucial for mapping and understanding the region's geography.
3. Scientific Contributions: Maclear's work, alongside Abbé Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, helped correct earlier measurements of the Earth's curvature and contributed to the understanding of the Earth's shape.
4. Hiking Destination: Reaching Maclear's Beacon involves a hike across Table Mountain's plateau, offering stunning panoramic views of Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, and surrounding landscapes.
5. Flora and Fauna: The hike to the beacon passes through the unique fynbos biome, which is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity and endemic plant species.
Verblyf Naby Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape Town
Fernwood Manor
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Newlands, Cape Town
2.5km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape TownFernwood Manor is 'n elegante koloniale stylhuis in die lowerryke woonbuurt Nuweland, omring deur welige groen met wonderlike berguitsigte. Ons eksklusiewe gastehuis, wat vir nie meer as 16 gaste voorsiening maak nie, verseker warm vriendelike... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Glencoy
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Claremont
3.5km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape TownGlencoy bied selfsorgverblyf in Claremont, Kaapstad. Glencoy is 'n luukse, privaat selfsorgwoonstel en en suite-gastekamer. Dit is in die stil woonbuurt van Upper Claremont geleë. Met 'n treffende uitsig oor Tafelberg... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
5 Camp Street
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Cape Town
3.6km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape Town5 Camp Street bied selfsorgverblyf in Gardens, Kaapstad City Bowl. Ideaal geleë in die sentrale, nuwerwetse en historiese voorstad Gardens, teen die onderste hange van Tafelberg. Binne maklike stapafstand van Kloofstraat... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Liberty Lodge
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Cape Town
3.9km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape TownMet die jare het hierdie klassieke onderneming 'n benydens-waardige reputasie gekry van ontspanne en egte gasvryheid. Die kunstige mengsel van Victoriaanse-, moderne- en eietydse style het 'n stylvolle, tog huislike blyplek geskep. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Aview
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Camps Bay, Cape Town
4.1km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape TownHierdie treffende luukse villa bied onbelemmerde uitsigte oor beide die berg en Kampsbaai. Dit is naby die strand, restaurante, klubs, kroeë, Kaapstad, V&A Waterfront, gholfbane en wynroetes. Die swembad, Jacuzzi en speletjieskamer is groot treffers …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Knightsbury Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Rondebosch
4.4km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape TownDaar is 4 smaakvol versierde kamers met en suite-badkamers. Elkeen is toegerus met al die geriewe wat nodig is om seker te maak dat daar in hul gaste se behoeftes voorsien word. The Knight's is 'n indrukwekkende dubbelspel by ontbyt, wat toegeeflik is met …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Bel Ombre Cottages
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Constantia, Cape Town
4.6km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape TownBel Ombre Cottages bied selfsorgkothuisverblyf in Constantia, Kaapstad. Bel Ombre Cottages is luuks gemeubileerde en volledig toegeruste selfsorgkothuise in die pragtige Constantia-vallei, die ideale basis vanwaar u... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
3 On Camps Bay Boutique Hotel
Hotel / Boutique Hotel Accommodation in Camps Bay, Cape Town
4.8km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape Town3 on Camps Bay is 'n luukse gastehuis met 16 slaapkamers in die luukse en nuwerwetse Kampsbaai, Kaapstad. Geleë in 'n doodloopstraat wat oor die Atlantiese Oseaan uitkyk, bied 3 On Camps Bay 'n stil toevlugsoord waar jy in die uiterste luuksheid en b …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Valley Heights B&B / Guest House
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Kenilworth
4.8km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape TownValley Heights Guest House bied B&B en selfsorgverblyf in Kenilworth, Kaapstad. Geleë in die rustige, veilige en lowerryke woonbuurt Upper Kenilworth in Kaapstad se suidelike voorstede en het maklike toegang tot groot toeriste... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Le Bonheur Villas and Cottages
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Constantia, Cape Town
4.9km from Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape TownLe Bonheur Villa and Cottages bied 'n verskeidenheid selfsorgverblyf in Constantia, Kaapstad. 4 selfsorg-opsies is beskikbaar: Villa - 6 slaapkamers met slaapplek vir 12, 4 badkamers (3 en-suite). Beskerm teen die somerwinde... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
- Vredehoek (2.87km)
- Oranjezicht, Kaapstad (2.90km)
- Highlands Estate (2.99km)
- Devil's Peak Estate (3.03km)
- Nuwelands, Kaapstad (3.05km)
- Bishopscourt (3.13km)
- Higgovale (3.49km)
- Zonnebloem (3.54km)
- Walmer Estate (3.61km)
- Gardens, Kaapstad (3.72km)
- Kaapstad City Bowl (3.73km)
- District Six (3.78km)
- University Estate (3.82km)
- Constantia Heights (3.82km)
- Kloof Nek (3.86km)
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens - Cape Town (1.90km)
- Devil's Peak - Cape Town (2.01km)
- Van Riebeeck Hedge - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town (2.32km)
- Skeleton Gorge Hike - Table Mountain, Cape Town (2.33km)
- Table Mountain National Park - Cape Town (2.48km)
- Three Peaks Challenge - Cape Town (2.89km)
- Table Mountain Aerial Cableway - Cape Town (2.89km)
- Twelve Apostles Mountain Range - Cape Town (3.32km)
- Rhodes Memorial - Devil's Peak, Cape Town (3.63km)
- University of Cape Town - Western Cape (3.64km)
- Cape Town Holocaust Centre - Cape Town (3.74km)
- South African Jewish Museum - Cape Town (3.80km)
- Pipe Track Walk - Camps Bay, Cape Town (3.81km)
- The Groote Schuur Estate - Rondebosch, Cape Town (3.82km)
- Iziko South African National Gallery - Cape Town (3.84km)
- District Six Museum - Cape Town (3.84km)
- The Fringe Handmade Creative Goods Market - Cape Town (3.85km)
- Labia Theatre - Gardens, Cape Town (3.89km)
- iZiko South African Museum and Planetarium - CapeTown (3.92km)
- The Fugard Theatre - District Six, Cape Town (3.95km)
- Two Oceans Marathon - Cape Town (3.98km)
- Oktober Bierfest - Cape Town (4.00km)
- Cavendish Square - Claremont, Cape Town (4.02km)
- Castle of Good Hope - Cape Town (4.10km)
- Josephine Mill Museum - Newlands, Cape Town (4.13km)
- Museum of Dogs - Gardens, Cape Town (4.13km)
- The Old Slave Tree Memorial - Cape Town (4.14km)
- Cape Town City Hall & Grande Parade - Cape Town (4.17km)
- Slave Lodge Museum (Iziko) - Cape Town (4.20km)
- National Library of South Africa - Cape Town Campus (4.22km)
