Table Mountain might be the face of Cape Town, but Lion’s Head is the mane event! Cape Town is a city of unfathomable natural beauty; the best way to experience it is with a Lion’s Head Hike.
Hiking Lion’s Head is a popular activity in Cape Town among Capetonians and tourists alike. The camaraderie amongst the hikers is overshadowed only by the stupendous views of Table Mountain, the City Bowl and the Atlantic. If you’re looking for a fun and active day in Cape Town, this is it right here.
Still on the fence about Lion’s Head ? Here is a handy Lion’s Head Hike guide with photos to swing you over.
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Facts About Lion’s Head in Cape Town
How much does it cost to hike Lion’s Head? It’s FREE! Mahala! Verniet! Even though it’s part of SANParks’ Table Mountain National Park, it won’t cost you a cent to hike Lion’s Head. Lion’s Head must be the best free thing to do in Cape Town.
Thank you, Cape Town.
Thank you, Mzanzi 🙂 🇿🇦
How long is the hike? It is a 5.3 km out and back hike from the parking area to the summit of Lion’s Head. That’s 3,2 miles for y’all from the US&A.
How high is Lion’s Head? The Lion’s Head hike goes all the way to the summit, standing 669 metres (2,195 ft) above sea level. The elevation gain on the hike is just over 400 metres.
Where is Lion’s Head? Lion’s Head stands between Table Mountain and Signal Hill, forming the outer rim of the Cape Town City Bowl.
How many people climb Lion’s Head a year? An estimated 200 000 summit Lion’s Head every year, making it the most climbed mountain peak in Africa.
What is Lion’s Head famous for? Lion’s Head is renowned for having some of the best views of Cape Town’s city centre, the suburb of Sea Point on the Atlantic Seaboard, the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles and Table Mountain.
The slopes of Lion’s Head are also the launching points for paragliders.
Why is it called Lion’s Head (Leeukop in Afrikaans)? In the 17th century, Dutch settlers thought the mountain resembled a crouching lion looking toward Table Mountain. They called it Leeuwen Kop (Lion’s Head), while Signal Hill was Leeuwen Stert (Lion’s Tail).
Are there lions on Lion’s Head? Sadly (or luckily for hikers), no. But there used to be. According to records, they shot the last wild lion on Lion’s Head in 1802.
Lion’s Head Trail: Duration & Difficulty
Depending on your level of fitness, the hike should take anything between 1.5-2 hours to complete. Add another hour for stopping to take pictures along the way and enjoying the views from the top while resting.
Hiking Lion’s Head is not overly challenging. I’d classify it as an easy/moderate hike. It is a spiral hike that gradually ascends along the mountain’s contours. Being a spiral hike, it treats you with gobsmacking views of Cape Town in all directions.
The Lion’s Head Hike can be divided into three stages: a somewhat steep gravel road starting from the parking lot, steps and gravel, followed by the staples to the summit.
Routes are clearly marked, so you don’t need a guide. If you prefer to go on a guided walk, these sunrise or sunset hikes are highly recommended.
On the day we went, we saw many families with primary school-aged children. So it is a hike that the whole family will enjoy.
The last stretch to the summit is a bit challenging for some, as you need to climb up the staples, a series of metal chains and handles drilled into the rock. It’s just a short scramble up the staples and nothing to fear, but take your time if you’re scared of heights (it’s not that high).
Where to Park for the Lion’s Head Hike
The trail starts at the Lion’s Head parking lot. The get there, take Kloofnek Rd up towards Table Mountain. Take the Signal Hill or Lion’s Head turnoff. You can park anywhere near the SANPark’s signs welcoming you to Lion’s Head on Signal Hill Rd. Here is the location of the parking lot.
Parking is free, but if there is a car watcher, ask him to look after your car for a small tip (R5-10).
Choose Your Route
Two routes head up Lion’s Head from the parking lot on Signal Hill Road.
The first route is a small footpath going in a counterclockwise direction towards Signal Hill, while the gravel road goes clockwise. The two paths meet about a kilometre before reaching the peak.
The two trails are signposted as Recommended Route or Staples/Chains. The Staples Route is the most popular Lion’s Head trail.
Before reaching the summit, the route splits again with a choice between taking the staples or the recommended route.
The staples will need some climbing up the metal rungs, chains and ladders, while the recommended route goes a longer way over rocks.
You don’t have to walk all the way to the summit if you don’t feel like climbing the staples. Take the counterclockwise path until it meets the other, and then simply continue down without summiting, making it a circular route around Lion’s Head. You’ll still get the fantastic views and hiking experience sans the summit. You can walk the circular route in either direction.
Lion’s Head via the Staples
We decided to hike to Lion’s Head’s top via the staples-the most popular route up the mountain. It was a Saturday morning in the middle of winter, and we just couldn’t drag ourselves out of bed for a sunrise hike, so we started around 8:30.
It was a typical winter morning in Cape Town. Van Hunks and the devil were at it again, stoking their pipes, and Table Mountain had its tablecloth on. We hoped for better weather, but it was an amazing hike with incredible views nonetheless.
The trail was busy, but not crowded. There were many couples and families, a few solo hikers and the odd trail runner or two.
A wide gravel road from the parking lot kicks the hike off with wonderful views towards the side of Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles and Camps Bay. This stretch of gravel road is the easiest part of the hike.
The gravel road gives way to a rock and gravel path as you turn around the mountain. You’ll have fantastic views over the Atlantic and the Clifton beaches below.
Before turning the next bend around the spiral up the mountain, you’ll see Sea Point, Signal Hill and Robben Island. The City Bowl and the V&A Waterfront greet you around the bend. By now, you’ve come 360 degrees since the parking lot where you started.
Next up is the staples, where you’ll clamber up the series of metal footsteps and rungs. It really is nothing to be scared of, but do take your time if you find this kind of thing challenging.
After the staples, it’s just a hop, skip and a few jumps to the summit of Lion’s Head.
The Summit
You’ll feel like Simba on the top of Pride Rock when you set foot on the top of Lion’s Head. If you think the views on the way here were dynamite, they are a thousand times better from the summit.
One spot is famous for taking photos to prove that you’ve climbed the lion. A rock pillar on the edge of the mountain provides an epic position with Sea Point under you and Robben Island in the Atlantic on the horizon. Please be careful here, and wait your turn.
You can easily spend 30 minutes to an hour here enjoying the views and resting before heading down the same way you came.
Like Hiking?
Check out the incredible 5-day hike along the Wild Coast in the Transkei
Safety When Hiking in Cape Town
Hiking Lion’s Head should be safe, but please keep the following safety tips in mind:
- If you’re not a confident hiker, don’t go alone. It’s always better to hike with others. While Cape Town and Lion’s Head is safe, crime does happen from time to time, and it can happen to anyone. Be aware of your surroundings, watch where you step, and stay on the paths.
- Take your phone with you and make sure it’s charged. Call 0861 106 417 in case of emergency.
- Don’t hike at night. If you’re going for sunrise or sunset, take a headlamp with you, and walk with a group.
- During the busy full moon hikes, wait your turn when taking the staples. Be patient, and don’t rush other people along.
- Carry enough drinking water with you, as there are no water points on the trail.
- The weather can change very quickly. Take something warm with you, even in summer.
- Don’t be silly trying to get that perfect Instagram shot by standing in dangerous spots. People have fallen to their deaths before.
How I Shot This Guide
Every photograph in this article was taken with the exact same gear I carry on every journey. It is a setup refined over years on the road to keep travel light without compromising the final image.
- Camera: Sony A7 V
- Lens: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art.
- Storage: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
- Software: Adobe Lightroom Classic
- My travel essential (trust me): Ray-Ban Wayfarer
Enjoy your Lion’s Head hike!
It should be one of your highlights of your Cape Town trip ✌️