Lions Head Sunrise & Sunset Hike — Cape Town's Circular Summit Trail
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Moderately fit: comfortable on uneven ground, short steep sections, and repeated stair-like steps.
Overview
Climb Lion's Head at dawn or dusk for dramatic city-and-sea views from a tight, well-used circular trail. This guided hike offers small groups, optional hotel pick-up, and those iconic chain-and-ladder sections that make the summit feel earned.
Lions Head Sunrise & Sunset Hike — Cape Town's Circular Summit Trail
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Before the city wakes, a thin ribbon of light slides over the Atlantic and the slopes of Table Mountain; the silhouette that stops most travelers in their tracks is Lion's Head. On this guided sunrise and sunset hike the mountain feels like a living map—craggy rock faces, short grassy benches, and a path that climbs in steady pulses until the city and sea unfold beneath you.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Start early for sunrise
Arrive with a working headlamp and a full water bottle—pre-dawn sections are rocky and require sure footing.
Watch the wind
If gusts pick up the guide may turn the group around—dress in windproof layers and avoid loose items.
Footwear matters
Wear grippy trail shoes; the chain rungs and slabs are slippery when wet.
Stick to the path
The fynbos regenerates slowly—stay on the trail and pack out all trash to protect the vegetation.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Rock hyrax (dassie) often sunning on ledges
- Cape sugarbird and other fynbos birds near the summit
History
Lion's Head sits adjacent to Signal Hill and was used historically for visual signaling; its name reflects the profile early sailors and settlers saw from the sea.
Conservation
Fynbos around Lion's Head is fire-prone and slow to recover—staying on trails and packing out waste helps preserve these endemic plant communities.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cape Town
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Trail shoes
Provide grip and ankle support on rocky, uneven sections.
Headlamp
Necessary for pre-dawn starts and safe descent after sunset.
Windproof jacket
Cape Town wind can be strong on the exposed summit—layer up for gusts.
1–1.5L water bottle
Hydration is crucial on the exposed ascent, especially in warm months.
summer specific