A Complete Guide to the Lion’s Head Hike in Cape Town: Tips & Views
The Lion's Head hike Cape Town is one of the most rewarding adventures you can experience in the city. Offering panoramic views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, and the sparkling cityscape, this iconic trail is a favorite for both locals and travelers alike. It’s the perfect way to see Cape Town from above.
Whether you’re an early riser looking to catch a breathtaking sunrise or chasing golden hour for an unforgettable sunset, this hike is ure to be one of your highlights for Cape Town. The moderate trail is manageable for most fitness levels, making it accessible yet exciting.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before tackling the Lion's Head hike, from trail tips and safety advice to the best times to visit. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
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Lion's Head Hike, Cape Town: A Quick Intro
Before diving right into the Lion's Head hike, we're going to share some fun facts and helpful info for this popular destination.
Why Do They Call it Lion's Head in Cape Town?
Lion’s Head is named for its resemblance to a crouching lion when viewed from the city of Cape Town. The adjacent Signal Hill is often referred to as the “Lion’s Rump,” completing the appearance of a lion shape.
How High is Lion's Head Peak?
Lion's Head stands at 669 meters (2,195 feet) above sea level, offering breathtaking views of Cape Town, Table Mountain, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The beauty of Lion's Head is that it is just outside the downtown area of Cape Town! It's located right between Table Mountain and Signal Hill, and the starting point for the hike is at .
How Long Does it Take to Hike Lion's Head Cape Town?
Lion's Head takes about 45 minutes to an hour to hike, depending on your pace. It took us 45 minutes to get up, and 35 minutes to get down, with a pretty fast pace.
The views are truly extroadinary the entire hike though, so if we were to do it again we would give ourselves more time and enjoy a much slower hike up.
How Difficult is it to Hike Lion's Head?
Hiking Lion's Head was really interesting, as it starts off very easy, slightly incling on a flat path. Towards the end there are a series of ladders and rocks to climb. These can be a bit steep, but it wasn;t incredibly difficult, and was actually a lot of fun.
Do You Need a Guide for the Lion's Head Hike, Cape Town?
You definitely do not NEED a guide if you do not want one! We went on our own and found the path to be very straight forward. (Also there were a lot of other hikers there as well).
If we were going for sunrise though, having a guide probably would have been a better idea, since it would be dark and a bit more dangerous for those not experienced in these types of hike.
Where is Lion's Head in Cape Town?
Lion's Head parking lot on Signal Hill RoadHow to Get to Lion's Head Trailhead in Cape Town
Getting to the Lion's Head trailhead from Cape Town city center is easy, with several options depending on your preferences:
By Car
- Route: Drive along Kloof Nek Road (M62) toward Camps Bay. At the top of the hill, turn onto Signal Hill Drive, and follow the signs to the Lion’s Head parking lot, which is the trailhead.
- Parking: There’s limited parking at the trailhead, so arrive early (especially for sunrise or sunset hikes). If the lot is full, you may need to park along Signal Hill Drive and walk a bit.
By Taxi or Rideshare
- Services like Uber or Bolt are affordable and reliable in Cape Town.
- Drop-off: Request a ride to Lion’s Head parking lot on Signal Hill Drive.
- Cost: Around ZAR 50–100 (USD 3–6) one way from the city center, depending on traffic.
By Public Transport
- Public transport directly to the trailhead is limited, but you can use minibus taxis heading to Signal Hill Road. They are not the most reliable or tourist-friendly option, so rideshares are often preferred.
By Walking or Cycling
- If you’re staying nearby (for ex: Tamboerskloof or Camps Bay), you can walk or cycle to the trailhead.
- Time: It’s about a 1-hour walk from the city center and a 20-minute cycle, but be cautious of traffic and steep inclines on the road.
Price & Timetable for Lion's Head, Cape Town
Before going into all of the details for the hike, let's cover a few more of the basics, so that you can plan when you'd like to do the Lion's Head hike in Cape Town.
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How Much Does it Cost to Hike Lion's Head?
Hiking Lion's Head is free of charge if you choose to do it on your own. If you'd like to go with a local guide though, you can expect to pay between $40-$100/person.
Do You Need a Reservation for Lion's Head?
No, you do not need a reservation prior to hiking Lion's Head, and can show up whenever you wish.
When Can You Hike Lion's Head in Cape Town?
The great thing is that the Lion's Head hike in Cape Town is open for visitors 24/7! It is most popular for sunset, but you are able to do the hike whenever you please, no matter how early or late you wish to go.
You can hike Lion's head in Cape Town at whatever time you'd like.
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Amenities at the Lion's Head Hike in Cape Town
There are really limited amenities at Lion's Head. There is parking at the bottom of the trail head, along with a toilet, and one truck that serves drinks and snacks.
Along the hike you'll find a few places to rest, but other than that there isn't any food, drinks, or toilets along the way, so make sure to start well prepared.
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The Lion's Head Hike, Cape Town
Lion's Head hike is a pretty straight forward hike, and circles around the mountain, with plenty of signs along the way.
It starts off with small steps that are paved, and has super scenic views along the way of the mountains, sea, and city below.
After about 20 minutes, there is even an area that is popular for paragliding! We definitely recommend adding this fun excursion to your bucket list.
After about a half hour of walking is the more intense part of the hike. The last 15-20 minutes you'll come across a series of ladders, chains to scale the side of the mountain, and pegs to climb.
The end of the hike is the most intense part.
The last 5-10 minutes are large boulders, and the climb is pretty steep.
Finally, you'll arrive at the top of Lion's Head, where you'll have 360 degree views of Cape Town's mountains, city, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Lion's Head has 260 degree views of the surrounding landscapes.
We arrived right before sunset, and it was crowded with a ton of people. The good thing though, is that with so many incredible views, there is plenty of room for everyone to be able to enjoy the sunset, take pictures, and relax to enjoy the views.
As soon as the sun went over the horizon, people started heading down to get to the bottom before it got super dark out. The hike down was basically a line of people going down together, so it took a bit longer, especially as it started to get dark.
Lion's Head hike was a short, fun, and rewarding hike, and is certainly one of the top bucket list experiences in South Africa, and one of the top highlights of Cape Town.
Lion's Head is one of the most bucket list experiences in Cape Town.
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Is it Safe to Hike Lion's Head, Cape Town?
The Lion's Head hike is not particularly dangerous, but you will want to make sure you are careful at the end.
You'll be climbing ladders and big boulders near the summit, so make sure to have proper footwear, use the ropes, and be aware of your surroundings.
Other than that, the hike is completely safe, and can be done on your own without having to worry about any major dangers.
Make sure to be careful hiking Lion's Head.
Can You Hike Lion's Head at Night?
Chances are that you are hiking to Lion's Head for sunrise or sunset, which means you will definitely be hiking in the dark.
While it is totally doable to hike in the dark, you'll definitely want to make sure that you have a flashlight or head lamp, as it could be dangerous to be climbing up and down ladders and big rocks without any light.
It is important to know however that hiking in the middle of the night is not permitted, and you are only technically supposed to be visiting from sunrise to sunset.
Rules for Hiking Lion's Head
There are a few regulations to keep in mind while visiting Lion's Head, which include:
- No drones are allowed.
- Fires are prohibited.
- Stereos or speakers are not permitted.
- You must pick up after yourself.
- There is no camping or staying overnight at Lion's Head.
- Dog walkers, paragliders, rock climbers, and mountain bikers are permitted but require permits.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for the Lion's Head Hike in Cape Town
Now you know almost everything you need to know for your Lion's Head hike Cape Town adventure. But don't go just yet! We have a few more details you might like to keep in mind.
Weather in Cape Town
Cape Town experiences a variety of seasons, with very hot and sunny summers, and chilly, rainy winters.
It never gets cold enough to snow at Lion's Head, but it can get uncomfortably hot in the height of summer. Cape Town is much more humid and windy than other parts of South Africa, so you'll want to keep that in mind for your hike.
It can be super windy at the top of Lion's Head.
The Best Time to Hike Lion's Head
Lion's Head is a hike that truly can be enjoyed year round! We went in the winter (July), and it really wasn't that cold. For the most ideal weather though, you'll probably want to visit in the spring or the fall, when there are clear skies and pleasant temperatures.
Is Lion's Head Better at Sunrise or Sunset?
With 360 degree views, Lion's Head is equally beautiful during both sunrise and sunset! The sunset is more popular, as the sun sets right over the Atlantic, while the sun rises over the city and the mountains.
In our opinion, if you want to enjoy a beautiful evening with other travelers and have iconic views, then sunset is the best. But if you'd like a peaceful morning without the crowds, then sunrise will be the better option.
Sunset is the most popular time to hike Lion's Head.
How to Prepare for the Lion's Head Hike
Now let's get you ready for hiking Lion's Head! Being prepared is key to enjoying your experience so we're going to share what to wear and bring with you on your hike.
What to Wear to Hike Lion's Head
For hiking Lion's Head you'll want to wear proper footwear for climbing, and comfortable clothing. You'll see from out photos that I wore a skirt, but I had leggings as well, and just wore the skirt for the photos.
It's also important to note that it can be very windy at the top, so you'll want to wear a light jacket and not super flowy clothing.
Lion's Head Hike Packing List
Here are some of the things you'll want to bring on your Lion's Head hike in Cape Town:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
- Sneakers
- Light jacket or sweater for the top
- Small Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are the best in the market and last super long)
- Flashlight or head lamp
- Camera - (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots since drones are not allowed)
- Snacks and drinks to have at the top
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Tips for the Lion's Head Hike, Cape Town
Wait until after sunset to get pictures without people around.
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So are you ready to experience the incredible Lion's Head hike in Cape Town? We know you're going to fall in love with this short and rewarding adventure, as well as some of the other bucket list experiences in South Africa.
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