Lion’s Head Hike in Cape Town: 18 Things to Know 

Last Updated on October 16, 2025 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 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?

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. You’ll probably 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 takes around 3 hours in total, or perhaps slightly less if you’re a Speedy Gonzalez. I’d say it takes between 1.5 to 2 hours to get to the top, depending on how fast you go. 

Then, you’ll want 15 minutes or so at the top to take in the views and snap some photos of your achievement, and then it takes around 45 minutes to get back down again. So yeah, I’d say allocate about 3 hours to hike up and down Lion’s Head. 

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. It’s a small lot but I’ve never failed to get a space. It takes between 5-15 minutes to drive to the trailhead from most of Cape Town’s central neighbourhoods.

Uber

You can also take an Uber here and take one back to your accommodation after the hike. 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?

Try to go on a weekday if you can, because this route can get super busy on weekends during the summer. 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.

It’s also best to go in the morning during the summer to avoid the heat, and you should aim to go as early as possible on the weekends. Capetonians are an active bunch, so the trail gets busy!

Saying that, I’ve climbed Lion’s Head in on a Tuesday afternoon in February, and it was still a fantastic experience, 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!

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. 

Personally, I’m a really slow hiker and very prone to tripping over. When I first did this hike I wasn’t in the greatest of shape and I was totally fine!

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. 

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. 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 would recommend regular gym clothes for this hike. I wore my running trainers, leggings, a sports bra, and a moisture-wicking training top.

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. 

At one point, towards the end of the hike you get to a flat plateau before the final scramble to the top. It’s a great spot to stop and take photos, and you can always turn back here if you’re too tired for the final climb. 

16) Is there an easier alternative to the Lion’s Head hike?

Yes, there is! 

The Lion’s Head Loop takes you around the perimeter of the mountain rather than up to the top. You’ll still have fantastic views of the city as you walk around, and it’s pretty easy walking the whole way, although some sections can get muddy during the winter. 

If you want to do the loop, take the trail on the right hand side at the base of the mountain. It’s 5.3 kilometres (3.3 miles) long and it should take you just over an hour to complete. This is one of my favourite routes in the city, because it’s so quick and easy but the views are still absolutely beautiful. 

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! It’s one of the best things to do in Cape Town. The views are amazing and the hike is beautiful the whole way up, so you don’t have to put in lots of work before you reach beautiful views. They start right in the car park!

Plus, Lion’s Head is right in the city so it’s super easy to get to. And since it only takes around 3 hours, it’s easy to fit into even a short Cape Town itinerary.

For more ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Cape Town, check out these posts: 

• The best things to do in Cape Town
• How to hike Kloof Corner
• Guide to visiting Table Mountain