Lion's Head Hike and Signal Hill Sunset Guide

Together, Lion's Head and Signal Hill form the crouch of a sphinx between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Both look simultaneously over the City Bowl, Robben Island and the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, and both are prime spots for sunrise or sunset. The difference is how much sweat you want to put in.

Hiking Lion's Head (669 metres)

Unlike Table Mountain, where trails climb one side at a time, the path up Lion's Head spirals all the way around the cone of the peak, so your view shifts from the city to the Twelve Apostles to the open ocean as you climb. Allow 60 to 90 minutes up and about an hour down.

• The trail: the first 20 minutes from the Signal Hill Road trailhead is a wide gravel jeep track. It then narrows into rock steps cut into the cliff above Sea Point (passing Wally's Cave, a popular photo ledge).
• Chains vs the bypass path: near the top, you reach a series of metal staples and chains bolted into the vertical rock. If you don't like heights or queues on the chains, follow the signed recommended roundabout route to the right, which scrambles up rocky steps without using the vertical ladders. Both paths meet again before the final short rock scramble to the summit dome.
• Timing and safety: sunrise, sunset and full-moon evenings draw plenty of hikers who watch the sun sink into the Atlantic on one side while the full moon rises over the mountains on the other. Always bring a proper headtorch (not just a phone light) if descending at dusk, wear grippy shoes, and never hike alone in the dark. Stick to busy hours when plenty of locals are on the path.

Driving up Signal Hill (350 metres)

If you want almost the same golden sunset view with zero climbing, drive or take an Uber along Signal Hill Road to the end of the ridge. Locals bring camping chairs, blankets and takeaway pizzas to watch paragliders launch off the grass slope toward the Sea Point Promenade.

At the city end of Signal Hill sits the Lion Battery, home to the Noon Gun, a pair of 18th-century naval cannons fired at midday every day except Sundays and public holidays. It is Cape Town's oldest living tradition, originally used so ships in Table Bay could set their marine chronometers.