Lion's Head
A 360-degree Cape Town view - Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles, the Atlantic seaboard and Robben Island
The route
The line through Cape Town, South Africa - waypoints, elevation and the day-by-day shape of the walk.
Season & conditions
Year-round; the full-moon sunset climb is a Cape Town tradition
Wind and sun; slick rock; sunset crowds
Open year-round; windy and slippery at times; take a headtorch for sunset descents. Confirm.
On the trail
A spiral path around the peak with cabled/stapled rock near the top
Chains, staples and ladders on the final rocky spiral to the summit
Marked/waymarked route; navigation generally straightforward - carry a map and confirm locally
Suitable for reasonably fit hikers; not wheelchair accessible - confirm specifics
Very popular, especially at sunset/full moon
A ladder-free bypass route avoids the chains; sunrise or full-moon timing
Getting there & staying
Signal Hill Road trailhead, Cape Town
Out-and-back/loop - no shuttle needed
Day route - none needed
Day-hike kit, water, sun/rain protection, sturdy footwear; coverage varies
Services in Cape Town; limited or none on the trail
Not required; self-guided
Permits & safety
No permit; free; parking on Signal Hill Rd (limited)
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
The exposed chain/staple sections, wind, descending in the dark, crowds
Retrace the route to exit; dial local emergency services; carry a means of calling for help where remote
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand trail report. Coordinates are approximate.