Guided Lion's Head Hikes
Hike Lion's Head safely, at sunrise or sunset, with a certified local guide. Three hours, short ladders your guide walks you through, and a summit looking over the city, Table Mountain and the Atlantic.
Sunrise or sunset
Questions people ask before booking
Sunrise or sunset – which should I book?
Sunrise for solitude: fewer people, cooler air, and the city lights still on as you climb. Sunset for colour: the light on the Twelve Apostles and Camps Bay is the photograph most people come for, but the mountain is busier and parking is harder. Either way you walk part of it in the dark, which is exactly why it is worth doing with a guide.
| Route | Time | What it asks of you | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise hike | 3 to 3.5 hours | Moderate. Short ladders and light scrambling, and part of the climb is in the dark. | R 700.00R 1,000.00 |
| Sunset hike | 3 to 3.5 hours | The same route, moderate. You come back down in the dark. | R 700.00R 1,000.00 |
| Private guided hike | Your choice | Your pace, your start time, up to 4 people at one flat price. | R 4,550.00R 6,500.00 |
Is Lion's Head hard? Can a beginner do it?
It is rated moderate and it suits active beginners. The path is well used, but there are short ladders and sections of light scrambling where you will use your hands, and there is a drop beside you in places. If you are comfortable on stairs for an hour and you are not badly afraid of heights, you will be fine. If you are unsure, message us before you book and we will give you a straight answer.
What is included, and what is not?
Included
- ✓Professional qualified hiking guide
- ✓Safety briefing before the hike
- ✓Mountain navigation and route guidance
- ✓Basic first aid kit and emergency assistance
- ✓Professional photos taken throughout, where possible
- ✓A small group, so nobody gets rushed
Not included
- ✗Food and drinks
- ✗Personal hiking gear and clothing
- ✗Travel insurance
- ✗Gratuities, entirely optional
Pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation is an optional extra at R 400.00 per group of up to four, per location. You can add it on any hike page.
Are your guides actually qualified?
Yes. Every hike is led by a CATHSSETA-certified mountain guide with First Aid Level 1 training, and our lead guide has 23 years on these mountains and more than 500 guided hikes behind him, with a 100% safety record. That is the part you are really paying for: someone who reads the weather before it turns, knows where the route goes when the cloud comes down, and can tell you about the geology, the fynbos and the history of the path you are standing on rather than just walking in front of you.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Lion's Head is fully exposed to the wind and we will not take a group up in unsafe conditions. If we have to move the hike, you go on another date at no charge, and if no other date works for your trip you get a full refund.
Where and when do we meet?
At the Lion's Head parking area on Signal Hill Road. Start times move with the season because they are set backwards from the actual sunrise or sunset, so you are on the summit at the right moment. We confirm your exact time on WhatsApp before the day. Parking fills up fast before sunset, which is one reason a lot of guests add the pick-up and drop-off.
What should I bring?
One to one and a half litres of water, a snack for the summit, comfortable active clothing, a warm layer – the top is much colder and windier than the car park – a hat and sunscreen, any personal medication, and shoes with proper grip. A headtorch is worth having for the dark section; ask us if you are not sure what you need.
Can you collect us from our accommodation?
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off covers up to four guests from one location and can be added on either hike page. It is worth it for the sunset hike in particular, when parking is difficult.
Is it cheaper to book here than on a booking site?
Yes. This is our own site, the price here is our lowest, and your money goes to the guide who takes you up rather than to a middleman.
Ready to hike Lion's Head?
Choose sunrise or sunset above, or message us and we will tell you which one suits your trip and the week's weather. Usually a reply within the hour.