Cape Town’s Top Attractions: Lions Head
A Hike up Lion’s Head above Cape Town is a must-do for the panoramic views…
Description
A trip to Cape Town would not be complete without a hike up Lions Head. It comes in as one of the top attractions of Cape Town. For the elderly that don’t support the basic level of fitness required, the Table Mountain cable car is a must but for those that are fit and energetic and have to make a choice between the two, a hike up Lions Head is an absolute winner.
The reward of tackling this relatively short hike as you spiral to the top of Lions head is simply magnificent.
Your best bet is to do this hike at the beginning of your holiday to get your bearings of how exactly how Cape Town is laid out.
Duration
If you walk non-stop as a reasonable pace you can do this hike in 1 hour up and about 40 minutes down but allow an hour and a half to climb if you have more time so that you can stop, rest and sit of one of the welcoming benches to take in the views and locate some recognisable landmarks.
Directions
Begin by driving up Kloof Nek out of town towards Table Mountain and Camps Bay. At the crescent of the hill turn right, signposted Signal Hill. Drive about 500 meters until you see a lay-by on the right opposite a gravel road going up Lions Head on the left. Park in the lay-by. There is usually a car guard there to look after the vehicles.
Start
Begin your hike opposite the lay-by on Signal Hill Road
End
Same as the start
Summary
The gravel drive starts off quite wide and reasonably steep and provides you with the perfect warm-up. Follow the road as it spirals around Lions Head in a clockwise direction. As you go up, the road slowly gets narrower and narrower as you complete your circles up the mountain until you reach the peak.
Highlights
Every time you look up for a break, you see a new section of Cape Town. At the start, Table Mountain is on your left and you look down onto Tamboerskloof and the city with ocean behind you. Every step thereafter brings you views first of the magnificent 12 Apostles looming in the distance and eventually you find yourself looking onto the white beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. Keep spiralling up; you pass the paragliding launch pad and then the path becomes more rocky. You will find yourself negotiating the rocky steps as you climb. Don’t forget to hold on to the rocks and look up sometimes to see Lions Head looming above you. Next you will see the stadium peeping out from Signal Hill and Sea Point / Green Point on your left.
Don’t be surprised when you see a metal ladder tightly fixed to the rock face. This is a shortcut up the face of the rock followed by various handles strategically mounted to ease your climb.
There are various chains to hold onto to aid your climb. Use them, hold on, concentrate and you will be perfectly safe.
As you near the peak it gets really exciting as you pull yourself up holding onto the various rock crevices for support.
There are various platforms to stop for a breather but just as you think you are getting quite tired you are suddenly there, on top of the world all in the space of an hour!
It’s a real achievement and absolutely breath-taking at the top as it offers 360 degree views of the Atlantic seaboard, the City and Table Mountain as well as Camps Bay and Sea Point. You will find various parties and couples in good nature sitting together on a rocks’ edge admiring the views or taking silly pictures whilst smirking at their achievement.
Everyone is on a high!
Enjoy it, absorb it and when you have had your fill, turn around and make your way back down again. There is a section where you can avoid the ladders and chains if you prefer.
When you get back to your car, give your mates a high five and be proud in the knowledge of getting all that fresh air into your lungs and having successfully completed the Lions Head hike; one of the best short hikes in Cape Town.
Another very popular option is to climb Lions head at full moon but beware it gets rather busy.
Rating
Moderately strenuous. The last section is very steep up one of
the boulders and you need to use the chains attached to the rock face as explained above. Dont let this put you off though as it eases your hike more than anything else. For the less adventurous there is an alterative route which does take a bit longer.
Take With
You will need the following:
- good walking shoes,
- insect repellent,
- refreshments and water,
- camera,
- binoculars
Click on Full Gallery Full gallery and view some beautiful images of the climb.