7 Things to Know About Climbing Lion’s Head in Cape Town

Lion’s Head is one of the most popular mountains to climb in Cape Town; here’s everything you need to know for the perfect hike! 

No one told me about Cape Town’s finicky weather, the fact that any given moment can turn from sun to rain to intense wind then sun again. And to that point, no one prepared me for the reality that in Cape Town, anything can get canceled in a a second. (Literally. Our boat to Robben Island got canceled as we were starting to board, followed by shark diving canceled later that evening. Le sigh.)

Since hiking was a “must” on our trip, I knew I couldn’t leave adventure to the weather Gods. I’d been down that road to no avail. So instead, after two cancelations in less than five hours, we planned an impromptu sunrise hike up Lion’s Head – one of Cape Town’s most popular mountains – just in case our Table Mountain rock climbing trip got canceled later in the week.

Now, I’d read that Lion’s Head was a relatively quick and easy jaunt that may Cape Town locals enjoy ahead of the work day. What I didn’t realize after one, jet lag-filled day in the city was Cape Town locals are extremely adventurous and fit.

So, yeah. That whole simple-and-dirty stroll up Lion’s Head was anything but “simple” (but yes, it was totally dirty – and I had the laundry to prove it). If you’re climbing Lion’s Head on your trip to Cape Town, here are 7 things I wish I’d known pre-ascent.

1. It’s not just hiking
A hike up Lion’s Head is hardly just a hike. It starts off well and good with views over Camps Bay and Signal Hill, but after 30 or so minutes in, the trail becomes less hiking, all climbing. As in, rock climbing, where you pull yourself up via rock divots, ladders and hand holds. I don’t have much in the way of upper body strength and I still made it, so really any active and fit hikers will be fine, but the tough part comes into play for you heights fearers. Like me. {Shudder}

2. Lion’s Head will traumatize heights fearers
Did I mention I hate heights? Or, even more so, I hate that I hate heights. I get so nervous at the Eiffel Tower I can’t even go all the way to the top. The toughest part of trapeze for me was climbing the rickety ladder to the top. So it goes without saying that climbing slightly attached ladders on the side of a mountain left me shaking and traumatized on the way up and particularly the way down.

That being said, I did climb it, so it can be done – just know you’ll enjoy the summit views slightly less with the knowledge of what’s facing you on the way down.

3. The hike is actually a quick 2 hours
It was our first time hiking Lion’s Head (obviously), so we took our sweet time photographing at the top and along the way. Even with those delays, we got up, down and back in the Uber in just over two hours. I was skeptical about reviews saying it’s 60 to 90 minutes total, but if you’re an efficient, non camera-carrying climber, you can definitely squeeze this into a 60-minute timeframe.

4. Sunrise is the best time to climb
It’s no surprise Cape Town heats up as the day goes on – it is Africa, after all. To beat the heat and ultimately the crowds, head to the trailhead at sunset for a gorgeous morning walk that still leaves you almost the entire day of exploring. We started our ascent around 6:30 a.m., and the trails were probably twice as crowded on the way down. Few things are worse than waiting in line to climb terrifying hand holds (scratch that – waiting to climb terrifying hand holds IN THE HEAT), so get up there early for the best of both worlds.

5. There is an option for climbing without chains and hand holds
Um, wut? Yeah. Truth. I actually didn’t know this until researching this article, but apparently when you get to the time for climbing via chains, there’s the option to break off to the left on a “recommended route” for those who prefer a safer, simpler route. In retrospect, I’m glad I conquered my fear of heights. But, in retrospect, I do still tremble at the idea of climbing those ladders. (Here’s a post with good info on where to find that break-off path.)

6. Lion’s Head offers some of the best Cape Town views
While Table Mountain is the Cape Town “darling,” Lion’s Head is actually an incredible way to get 360-degree views of the city. You climb all the way around the face of the mountain, which means you’ll see from Camps Bay to Robben Island, downtown Cape Town to Table Mountain, and plenty of that “Mother City” fog in between.

7. The hike is (adventure) dog friendly
As I was huffing and puffing from one rock up the next, I saw at least three to four pups pass me with ease. Somehow (I think via that easier, ladder-free route), Lion’s Head is dog friendly, and we saw dogs of all sizes make their way up and down the trails. And, let’s be real — they looked significantly more graceful than yours truly doing so.

When first planning our trip to Cape Town, Lion’s Head was hardly on my radar. I knew it was a cool, unique shaped mountain that stands below the larger Table Mountain, but other than that? Not so much. While it’s tough to say I’m happy we faced two cancelations in one day – and ultimately never went diving with sharks – I am grateful it lit a fire under us to seize the moment and climb the beauty because it was definitely one of my favorite South African adventures!

Interested in more Africa trip ideas? Click here for some of my favorites!