Last Updated on March 30, 2026 by Hannah Stephenson
Lion’s Head is an iconic Cape Town peak, second only to Table Mountain! So if you’re wondering how to hike this uniquely-shaped mountain, I’ve got all of the need-to-know info here.
I’ve lived in Cape Town since 2021, so I’ve climbed this mountain a fair few times by now. I think of Lion’s Head as a goldilocks hike in terms of difficulty. It’s challenging but doable, and the payoff is definitely worth it because you get great views all the way up.
So strap on your hiking boots (although honestly, trainers are fine for this trail) because I’m going to take you through absolutely everything you need to know about hiking Lion’s Head in Cape Town.
- 1) What’s the Big Deal about Lion’s Head?
- 2) How Difficult is the Lion’s Head Hike?
- 3) How long is the Lion’s Head head?
- 4) How long does it take to hike Lion’s Head mountain?
- 5) Where is the trailhead?
- 6) How to get to the trailhead
- 7) When is the best time to climb Lion’s Head?
- 8) What can you see from the top of Lion’s Head?
- 9) How Fit Do You Need to Be to Do the Lion’s Head Hike?
- 10) Do you have to pay to hike Lion’s Head?
- 11) Is it safe to hike by myself?
- 12) Are there any facilities at the bottom?
- 13) What should I wear for the Lion’s Head hike?
- 14) What should I bring with me?
- 15) Do I have to hike all the way to the top?
- 16) Is There an Easier Alternative to the Lion’s Head Hike?
- 17) What’s better, hiking Lion’s Head or Table Mountain?
- 18) Is hiking Lion’s Head worth the effort?
1) What’s the Big Deal about Lion’s Head?
Lion’s Head is famous for its distinctive shape. It’s a staple of Cape Town’s skyline, and it’s a big part of what makes the Mother City so beautiful.
The route is popular with locals and tourists alike, and it’s easy to get to the trailhead since it’s smack dab in the middle of the city. It only takes couple of hours to get up and down, so this hike won’t take up your entire day, either.
2) How Difficult is the Lion’s Head Hike?
I’d say it’s moderate. The trail is really easy to follow and you can’t really get lost – trust me, if you could, I would have found a way!
The first half is just walking uphill as the trail loops you around the side of the mountain, and then the second half is a bit more challenging, with some scrambling and a couple of iron ladders involved. I always sleep well after climbing Lion’s Head, but most people shouldn’t have any problems tackling it.
3) How long is the Lion’s Head head?
The hike up Lion’s head is 5.3 kilometres (3.2 miles) long, with 400 metres of elevation gain. Unlike Table Mountain, there’s no cable car around here, so you have to climb up and down!
4) How long does it take to hike Lion’s Head mountain?
It normally takes me between 2 and 2.5 hours to hike Lion’s Head, with some time to rest at the top. Of course, if you’re Speedy Gonzalez you might be able to do it in 1.5 hours! Still, if it’s your first time, I’d allow between 2-3 hours just to be safe.
5) Where is the trailhead?
The trailhead for the Lion’s Head hike is in Tamboerskloof, opposite the turnoff for Table Mountain.
If you’re driving, head up Signal Hill Road and park in the small lot on the right hand side. When you get out of the car and turn to face Lion’s Head Mountain, take the trail on the left, which will lead you to the summit.
6) How to get to the trailhead
Drive
If you’ve rented a car, you can drive to Lion’s Head and park for free right opposite the trailhead. If that’s full, you can park on the side of the road but remember to point the nose of the car in the direction of the traffic. My friend got fined for this the last time we did this hike together!
Uber
I don’t own a car, so I usually just take an Uber here and back. Uber in Cape Town is pretty affordable, and it doesn’t usually take very long to get a ride. You shouldn’t struggle to get one back from Lion’s Head, either.
The MyCiti Bus
You can take either the 106 or 107 MyCiti bus to Kloof Nek. Buses leave about every 10 minutes and run between the city centre and Camps Bay. You can buy a MyCiti bus card for R40 and top it up at various shops all over the city.
The MyCiti buses are safe, reliable, and very regular. One stops at the Kloof Nek bus stop every 10 minutes, and then it’s a 12-minute walk from there to the trailhead.
7) When is the best time to climb Lion’s Head?
I always try to go on a weekday, because this route can get super busy on weekends. Locals and tourists alike love climbing to the top, so if you go at the weekend you’ll often find yourself waiting for quite a while by the ladders!
And as a redhead, I always try to go early during the summer to beat the heat. There’s not that much shade on the upper sections of the trail, so I don’t like to be up there during the midday heat.
Saying that, I’ve climbed Lion’s Head in on a Tuesday afternoon in February, and it was still a fantastic experience – albeit a warm one – so don’t stress too much about timing.
You can also catch a stunning sunrise or sunset from Lion’s Head. But if you want to do that, I highly recommend booking this tour because it requires hiking one way in the dark.
There’s safety in numbers and you’ll be with a local guide who knows the mountain really well, so you’ll be in good hands when it comes to the short scrambling sections. Headlamps and flashlights are also provided, as naturally these are a must when climbing in low light!
You can read 1,000+ 5-star reviews and book this epic sunrise or sunset hike here!
8) What can you see from the top of Lion’s Head?
You’ll enjoy changing aerial views of the City Bowl, Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles, Camps Bay, and Sea Point as you wind your way around the mountain during your ascent.
Then, when you get to the top you’ve got an unobstructed 360 view, baby! You can see the city’s central business hub, beaches, mountains, and unique neighbourhoods. It really is beautiful up there.
9) How Fit Do You Need to Be to Do the Lion’s Head Hike?
Reasonably, but nothing extreme. You need to have good mobility and a basic level of fitness to be able to enjoy this hike, but you really don’t need to be a pro-hiker.
Although I consider myself to be fit, I’m a really slow hiker and very prone to tripping over. And the first time I did this hike, I actually wasn’t in the greatest of shape, and I was totally fine – just a bit slower than I am now.
10) Do you have to pay to hike Lion’s Head?
Nope, not a penny! It’s free to climb Lion’s Head, and the parking at the bottom is free too, so there really aren’t any costs involved except for getting yourself to the base of the mountain. I do like to grab a smoothie from the van afterwards, though.
11) Is it safe to hike by myself?
Yes, if you go during the day you should be fine hiking alone, although obviously it is always safer to hike with a companion.
If you want to go alone, I’d recommend going in the middle of the day when there will be other people on the trail. Some people like to hike the mountain at sunrise or sunset, but I don’t think that this is a great idea if you’re going by yourself. However, you can always join the guided sunrise/sunset tour!
And whether you hike alone or with others, you should make sure to save the Table Mountain National Park emergency phone number, which is +27861106417.
12) Are there any facilities at the bottom?
There are no toilets, so bear this in mind when you’re chugging water on the way up. However, I do strongly advise you to take some water with you because climbing in the Cape Town sun is thirsty work!
There is a small truck selling drinks so you can grab a smoothie or a cold Coke when you’ve finished your hike, but that’s about it.
13) What should I wear for the Lion’s Head hike?
Comfy clothes! I usually just wear my regular gym and running clothes for this hike. Oh, and sunscreen. I slather myself in sunscreen!
You could wear hiking boots but they’re not strictly necessary. Regular trainers will be fine.
14) What should I bring with me?
- Water
- Your phone
- Snacks
- A backpack
- Sunglasses
- A cap
- Sunscreen
15) Do I have to hike all the way to the top?
No, you don’t have to. Lion’s Head is an out-and-back hike, not a loop, so you can turn back whenever you want. You get great views the entire time, although the 360 ones from the top are the best.
I have done this with a friend who’s afraid of heights before, so we just walked along the first half of the trail and enjoyed the views. Then, we turned back when the actual climbing part began. You can also do the Contour Loop instead – more on that below!
16) Is There an Easier Alternative to the Lion’s Head Hike?
Yes, there is!
The Lion’s Head Contour Loop takes you around the perimeter of the mountain rather than up to the top. I actually walk this route more often than I hike to the summit of Lion’s Head as it only takes around an hour to complete, and I can still enjoy fantastic views of the city throughout. It’s a good lunch break activity.
It’s a great alternative if you don’t feel up to hiking all the way to the summit. The Contour Loop is a walk, not a hike, and it’s far less technical. I sometimes even do it in jeans!
17) What’s better, hiking Lion’s Head or Table Mountain?
Both are amazing hikes with beautiful views. You can see even more from the top of Table Mountain because you’ve got views along the Cape Peninsula, but honestly, both will have you snapping photos like there’s no tomorrow. However, if you’ve only got the energy or inclination for one hike, then I’d say hike Lion’s Head and take the cable car up Table Mountain instead.
18) Is hiking Lion’s Head worth the effort?
Yes! I truly think that it’s one of the best things to do in Cape Town. I love it because the gorgeous views start right in the car park, and you get to see it from every angle on the way up.
Plus, Lion’s Head is right in the city so it’s super easy to get to. And since it only takes a few hours, it’s easy to fit into even a short Cape Town itinerary.
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