Nathan M. · Live
Aconical peak wedged between Table Mountain and Signal Hill, Lion's Head spirals upward through fynbos and granite, opening to a 360° panorama of Cape Town, the Atlantic, and the Cape Flats.
The lower half is a gentle jeep track. The upper half tightens into stone steps and a short chain scramble to the summit block — the city's most popular sunset and full-moon hike.
The trail spirals counter-clockwise around the peak.
Begin at the parking area on Signal Hill Road, off Kloof Nek. Look for the metal gate and stone steps heading up the spine.
Wide gravel zig-zags climb gently through silver tree and fynbos. Stop often — the city view opens fast behind you.
The path wraps around the seaward side. Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles, and Clifton's beaches spread below. The spiral begins here.
Stone steps and rock slabs wind counter-clockwise around the dome. Poles help on the descent. The gradient bites.
A 15-metre scramble up chains and steel staples. There's a bypass around the seaward side if you'd rather skip it — most hikers do, on the way down.
Table Mountain fills the south, Robben Island floats in Table Bay, and the Cape Flats stretch to the Hottentots Holland. Stay for the light.
The final scramble uses chains and steel staples bolted to the rock. It's optional — a bypass route skirts the seaward side and re-joins above. Don't attempt the chains in wind, rain, or darkness, and never descend facing outward — turn around and down-climb.
If you're unsure, the bypass is genuinely the better call.
Start at 05:00 to reach the summit as the sun clears the Hottentots Holland mountains. Headlamps are provided for all guided hikes.
Depart at 16:00 to reach the summit as the Atlantic goes gold, then pink, then deep blue. Headlamps are provided for the descent.
A Cape Town tradition. Climb as the sun sets, descend by moonlight. Headlamps are provided for all guided hikes. Go one night before for fewer crowds.
Plan your lunar ascent
Peak Season
November to February
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Barry W.
White Yaris
Last updated: 25 September 2026
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Last updated: 25 September 2026
These terms apply to every booking with Hike Lion’s Head (“we”, “us”) made on www.hikelionshead.co.za, by WhatsApp or by email. By making a booking you confirm that you have read and accept them, including the risk notice in section 7.
Hike Lion’s Head is a guided hiking service in Cape Town, South Africa.
Email: bookings@hikelionshead.co.za · WhatsApp / phone: +27 81 762 5551 · Website: www.hikelionshead.co.za
Please read this section carefully. Hiking on Lion’s Head involves risks that careful guiding can reduce but not remove. They include steep and uneven ground, loose rock, chains and ladders, heights, darkness on sunset and full-moon hikes, heat, cold, wind and changing weather, and the possibility of slips, falls and injury.
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