Lion’s Head hike, Cape Town – a 2024 guide – STINGY NOMADS

The Lion’s Head hike is one of the best things to do in Cape Town. Lion’s Head Mountain is a part of the Table Mountain National Park. Its peak is at 669 m above sea level. Hiking up the mountain can be challenging but the views from the top are well worth the effort. From Lion’s Head, you get some of the best views of the city and its surroundings. Even if you don’t climb all the way to the top you still get fantastic views along the trail. 

Lion’s Head guided hikes

If you’re a solo traveler joining a guided group tour might be a good option especially if you want to do the Lion’s Head hike at sunset or sunrise.

There are two hiking routes to the top of Lion’s Head. Both start at the parking lot on Signal Hill Road. One goes right towards Signal Hill, and the other one goes left. Both routes merge 1 km before the top. All routes and splits are well-marked. 

Lion’s Head hike (the main route)

Distance – 5,3 km return

Walking time – 1h30min. up and down, plus 30min.-1h. for taking photos, watching the sunset, etc. The walk might take longer if there are many people.

Elevation gain – 387 m

Terrain – gravel road, wooden stairs, rocks, ladders, and chains.

It’s the most popular Lion’s Head hiking trail and the recommended route to follow for solo hikers. It starts at the parking lot on Signal Hill Road. Most people use it to hike up and down. It’s a spiral route on a steep gravel trail with a significant incline right from the start. The route goes around the mountain offering great views of Cape Town and the coast. This route has the best views of Table Mountain, Twelve Apostles, and Camps Bay.

The route starts on the left (facing the mountain). The first 3 km are on the gravel road. The steep incline starts right away. There will be a couple of benches where you can rest enjoying spectacular views of Table Mountain.

After the first 3 km the route continues on a rocky footpath with a steep incline. Now you get to see Camps Bay, Twelve Apostles Mountains, and Robben Island.

After about 1 km you get to a split. One routes is more challenging but shorter, it involves climbing chains and ladders. The other route is a bit longer; it goes over the rocks. You can combine both routes; go up using ladders and down over the rocks.

The third part involves a bit of climbing regardless of which route you choose. This part part usually takes longer because the trail is narrow and you have to wait for other hikers to go up or down.

Lion’s Head circular hike

Distance – 6 km

Walking time – 2 hours up and down

Elevation gain – 400 m

Terrain – footpath, gravel road, big rocks, ladders, chains

This is our favorite Lion’s Head hiking route as you get to walk up and down different ways and get the ultimate 360° panoramic views of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula. It’s a longer route. The trail starts at Lion’s Head parking. It can be done clock or counterclockwise. We prefer a counter-clock because the gravel road is easier to go down than the rocky path. The same with climbing to the top, it’s easier to go up using ladders and chains and go down over the rocks.  This route has the best views of Lion’s Head Peak, Signal Hill, and Sea Point. You can go up and down the same way without going around the mountain.

The Signal Hill hike (an easier alternative)

If climbing Lion’s Head Mountain is not too appealing for you there is an easier alternative. You can enjoy the city views and watch the sunset from the top of Signal Hill. It’s a nearby hill that is very easy to access by car. You can drive all the way to the viewpoint, with no walking or climbing involved. The views from Signal Hill are very similar to those from Lion’s Head. 

The drive to Signal Hill is the same way as to Lion’s Head but instead of parking your car at the head of the hiking trail, you keep driving. There is a parking spot on the top of Signal Hill but it’s often very full you might have to turn around and park your car along the road. On the top, you’ll find a big yellow frame for taking photos with Table Mountain in the background, toilet facilities, and a coffee truck. 

How difficult is the hike?

Lion’s Head is one of the most popular hikes in Cape Town. It’s a moderate/difficult route due to the steep incline from the start. The difficulty depends on the route you choose and on your level of fitness. If you just walk around the mountain it’s not too difficult. Some parts of the trail are quite challenging. The last kilometer (the chain route) is the most difficult part with climbing up over the rocks, metal ladders, and chains. For a fit person, it won’t be a problem, but if you’re not in good shape, it might be exhausting.

If you like the Lion’s Head hike you might enjoy the Platteklip Gorge trail or the more challenging India Venster route, one of the best Table Mountain hiking trails.

If you’re scared of heights I’d suggest doing a circular route without going to the top of Lion’s Head. Climbing down might be a bit scary for you.

How much does it cost?

The good news is that the Lion’s Head hike is free. There is no entrance fee. Parking at Lion’s Head is free as well. Your only expense is transportation to Lion’s Head and back. 

How long is the hike?

The return hike up Lion’s Head on the main path is 5,3 km/3,2 mi with a 400-meter ascent and a subsequent descent. Depending on your fitness level it can take between 1h30min. and 2h.30min. to hike up and down Lion’s Head. 

Where does it start?

The start of the trail is at the Lion’s Head hike parking lot on Signal Hill Road. The end of the trail is the top of Lions Head Mountain. 

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What can you see from Lion’s Head?

Lion’s Head offers some of the best views of Cape Town and the surrounding area. It’s definitely a must-include in your Cape Town itinerary. On a clear day from Lion’s Head summit and along the trail, you can see pretty much the entire city of Cape Town and its surroundings. The main highlights are Table Mountain, Twelve Apostles, Camps Bay, Clifton Beaches, City Bowl, V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, Robben Island, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Peninsula, Blouberg Beach, seaport, and many other city attractions.

When is the best time for hiking?

For me, the views from the top of the mountain at sunset are the most impressive. Lion’s Head is one of the best sunset hikes in Cape Town. You can see the sun disappearing in the ocean. The sky and the sea turn yellow, orange, and pink. You have to be at the starting point a couple of hours before to find a parking spot, make it to the top (there is usually a queue at the rope and ladder part of the climb). Watching the sunset from Lion’s Head is something to include in your honeymoon itinerary.

Sunrise is another good time to hike up Lion’s Head. There are usually fewer people going up at sunrise than at sunset. It’ll be faster to get to the top. On the other hand in summer you’ll have to get up really early to make it in time for the sunrise. Check sunset/sunrise time in Cape Town before heading to Lion’s Head.

Full Moon is another primetime for hiking Lion’s Head. On clear nights hundreds of people head to the top to observe the full Moon and enjoy the views of the night city. Check Moon phases and find the best time to see the full moon.

In the afternoon the light is not the best for taking photos and in summer it gets extremely hot but the views from the top are still spectacular.

Before starting the hike always check the weather forecast. If it’s very windy or rainy it’s better to postpone it.

How to get to Lion’s Head?

By public transport

You can use one of MyCity buses to get to Lion’s Head; routes 106 and 107 go there. Get off at Kloof Nek Road, it’s at the bottom of Lion’s Head from there it’s about 600 m to the trailhead. To use MyCity buses you have to buy a MyConnect card, which costs ZAR 35/US$2 and can be purchased at any MyCiTi station kiosk and load some money on it. An average trip within the city will cost you less than US$1. 

Driving

Renting a car is the best way to explore Cape Town. If you rent a small car it won’t be expensive especially if you’re a couple of people sharing it. If you’re not a very confident driver (especially considering that we drive on the left side of the road) you can use Uber, many locals and tourists use it every day including us. It works well but sometimes in peak hours, you might have to wait for a ride.

With a tour

It might be the best option for solo travelers especially if you choose a hiking tour that includes transportation. You get picked up and dropped off at your hotel in Cape Town, walk with an experienced guide who can show you the best photo spots on Lion’s Head, and enjoy the nice company.

Where to park on Lion’s Head?

Parking near the trailhead might be tricky, especially in prime times such as the sunset or for the Full Moon hike. 

The best and the closest option is Lion’s Head Hike Parking which is right where the trail starts.

If there is no space at the parking lot, look for spots along Signal Hill Road here, and there you can see gravel sidewalks where you can park.

There is “a secret spot” on Signal Hill Road between Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, a right turn to the gravel road, about 2 km away from the trailhead.

We often park our car at Kloof Nek Parking, it’s a dedicated parking area just on the right from Lion’s Head on the way to Table Mountain. There are always places available and it’s not far to walk to the trailhead, about 700 m. 

There is a parking spot on the top of Signal Hill, which is about 2,6 km from the Lion’s Head hike trailhead but it is often full.

Safety tips for hiking

In summer it gets scorching hot there is no shade along the trail and no place to get water once you start hiking. Always bring enough water with you, at least 1L per person, use sun protection, and wear a hat or a cap. 

For safety reasons for solo hikers, it’s advised to follow the main route on the gravel road.

If you are a group of people and hike during the day, you can choose any of the main routes if you hike after sunset hours, stick to the main gravel route up Lion’s Head. 

Don’t go hiking at night time unless it’s a full moon night when there will be a lot of people on the mountain.

If you go alone and want to do a sunset/sunrise hike rather join a guided tour.

What to pack for the hike?

A small backpack to put water, a camera, snacks, etc.

Running shoes/sneakers, you don’t need hiking shoes for Lion’s Head but walking in flip-flops won’t work either.

Jacket/hoodie if coming for sunset/sunrise it gets chilly and windy up there.

Water bottle, make sure to bring enough water with you there is no place to get water along the hike.

Cap, there is no shade on the mountain if you hike in the afternoon it gets very hot.

Sunglasses

Sunscreen 

GoPro HERO10, video footage, and some wide-angle panoramic photos in this post were taken with our GoPro.

Places to stay

The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.