Hiking Lions Head | A Scenic Ascent to A Breathtaking Summit

Striking Lion’s Head Mountain, which sits next to majestic Table Mountain, is one of the most popular hikes in Cape Town. It’s a relatively short trail that spirals gently around the mountain, before a steep ascent on ladders to its summit for stunning panoramic views. The last section is admittedly a little adventurous, but well worth the effort for the 360 degree views of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town, Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Robben Islanda, and Twelve Apostles. This post covers hiking Lions Head, what to expect, the best time to hike, safety matters, and tips.

Hiking Lions Head

The trail is noted as moderately difficult, but a little sketchy in the spots near the top where the ladders, staples, and chains are. It’s a 2.8 mile (4.5 km) out and back trail with 1,141’ (347 m) of elevation gain. If you use the Health App on your iPhone to track hikes (or similar), mine said I climbed 32 “floors of stairs”. This, of course, is not 100% accurate, and can vary by user, but gives you an idea of what to expect.

The slope near the base is mostly gentle, circling around the hill. The trail here is well groomed and easy to walk on.

Near the top, the trail becomes quite steep and much rockier. In some places the rocks are so large you need to scramble up over them using your arms and legs. In the steepest spots, there are the ladders, chains, and staples. There are 4 or 5 ladders, which are placed almost vertically against the rocks.

All the ladders, or the optional staples and chains beside some of them, require the use of both hands. This means you need a pack for your water bottle, phone, and or camera.

Once you reach the summit, there’s a large area at the top to enjoy the view. You will be able to see Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island beyond the town, Table Mountain, and the Twelve Apostles. It’s quite stunning. A great reward for the relatively short hike.

There are some great photo spots at the summit, so expect to spend a little time here capturing photos. Mostly though, it’s best to simply appreciate the view and your successful completion of the hike up.

The hike down (obviously) requires doing everything backwards. This can actually be a little scarier in the steep, rocky spots, but once past the ladders, the rest is easy.

How Long Does It Take To Hike?

I hiked at a relaxed pace and my hike up took a little over an hour. It also took me about an hour to get back down. If you’re a fast hiker, you can do it in less, but waiting turns to use the ladders will always add some time if it’s busy.

If you like to stop and enjoy the views along the way, maybe even bring a picnic, the hike can take 3-4 hours.

Best Time To Hike Lions Head

The best time of year for hiking Lions Head is spring and fall, when the temperatures are mild and there is less chance of rain. Summer can get quite warm during the day, and winters can be cool. It’s more likely to rain in the winter. I would not recommend hiking in the rain as the rocks near the summit would be very slippery.

Cape Town’s notorious wind, would also make this hike a challenge. Especially in the steep areas and on the ladders. A calm, sunny day is best.

Weekends are more likely to be more crowded as this trail is also popular with locals. Especially on a sunny, not-too-warm weekend. I hiked on a Tuesday in May (fall) and was almost never alone on the trail. Especially near the summit where there is more congestion.

The most beautiful time of day to hike Lions Head is to watch the sunrise or sunset. If you chose either of these, make sure to bring a (hands-free) headlamp as you will be doing part of your hike in the dark, or at dusk.

This may be the most beautiful, but it can also be risky. Not only because the steep sections can be treacherous in low light, but also because there are organized crime rings that can take advantage of hikers here (see safety below) when there are no crowds.

Safety

Before visiting, I read not to hike here solo. And although I had planned to hike with someone, they stayed out a little too late the night before and changed their mind. So, I decided I’d try it myself.

But on my way here, my Uber driver insisted that I find other people on the trail to hike with. He said that the guys that do the paragliding on nearby Signal Hill can see people jumping out of the bushes to rob people when they are paragliding by. That’s a little frightening, right?

While it’s probably smartest to always hike with others, there were a lot of people on the trail when I hiked so I think I would have been safe solo that day. If you hike at sunrise or sunset, or non-busy days, be aware that this could be a problem.

I took my Uber drivers advice though. When I got out of the taxi I asked two guys just starting the trail if I could hike with them. While it was probably not necessary that day/time, as the trail was pretty busy, I not only felt safer, they were both pretty funny and had me laughing the entire hike! Thank you Malcolm and Jason from Johannesburg!

Due to the possibility of crime, it’s best to leave your wallet and any excess cash or cards at home. Also realize that your cell phone, camera, jewelry, and watches are prime theft items. This is a popular trail, so it’s targeted. Beware that it’s also possible that they may be armed.

Don’t let this scare you too much though, just be smart about it and hike at peak times, not solo, and don’t bring anything expensive that you don’t need. If, in the unfortunate event someone does approach you for your stuff, just hand it over to avoid any violence.

Tips For Hiking Lions Head

• Wear good hiking shoes. While the bottom of the trail is gentle and groomed, the steep areas can get treacherous. I also found the rocks dusty and slippery on the way down.
• Make sure to bring enough water. It’s best if it’s in some type of backpack or carrier as you need both hands free for the steep parts. Ideally your phone or camera fits in this pack too.
• Don’t hike solo. If you are alone, ask other hikers if you can join them. They will 100% understand.
• Avoid wearing anything flashy or bring anything you don’t need.
• Of course, wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the intense African sun.
• Check the weather in advance to make sure there is no rain or wind.

How To Get To Lions Head

Uber is relatively inexpensive in Cape Town, so is the best way to get to Lion’s Head. My ride here from Green Point was less than $5. The Uber app has a location called “Lion’s Head Hiking Trail”, which is near the start of the trail on Signal Hill Road. If you prefer to self-drive, there is a small parking area.

Ordering an Uber for a return ride can be a little challenging as the signal doesn’t pick up your location accurately close to the mountain. I has to walk across the street. Even with that, my driver had a little difficulty finding me, but he figured it out.

Want More Of Cape Town?

Here are some of my favorite places in and around Cape Town.

• South Africa Travel Guide
• Top 25 Things To Do In Cape Town | Beaches, Mountains, Wine, & Adventure
• Discovering Llandudno Beach | A Hidden Gem In Cape Town
• Secret Sunset Rock | Cape Town’s Hidden Gem For Spectacular Sunsets
• Exploring The Woodstock Street Art Scene In Cape Town
• Cool Creative Places | The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock
• South Africa Wine Country | Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek
• Hiking In The Majestic Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
• Inside Robben Island Museum | Walk In Nelson Mandela’s Footsteps
• Penguins, Cliffs, & Coastal Views | Tour To The Cape Of Good Hope
• Castle Of Good Hope Museum | Unveiling Cape Town’s Rich History
• Skydiving In Cape Town | Soaring Over The Cape

Safe Travels!

Julie