How long is the Lion's Head hike?

The listing on Hikeza records 5.5km and about 2.5 hours, graded moderate. SANParks describes a spiral path around the peak with a short chain-and-ladder scramble near the summit.

Do you need a permit for Lion's Head?

There is no SANParks pay gate at the Signal Hill Road trailhead. Dogs on allowed Table Mountain routes need a SANParks My Activity permit.

Are there chains on Lion's Head?

Yes, near the summit. A bypass path skips the chain-and-ladder scramble if you would rather not use them.

Where is the Lion's Head hike in Cape Town?

Signal Hill Road off Kloof Nek, in Table Mountain National Park. It is a spiral around Lion's Head, not a climb to the Table Mountain plateau. Compare the four standard routes in the Table Mountain hike guide.

Where is lions head capetown?

Signal Hill Road off Kloof Nek, Table Mountain National Park — the same Lion's Head hike trailhead. It is a spiral around the peak, not a climb to the Table Mountain plateau.

What is the Lion's Head hike trail?

The Lion's Head hike trail is the 5.5km spiral around the peak, about 2.5 hours, graded moderate. SANParks describes a short chain-and-ladder scramble near the summit; a bypass skips it. It is not a climb to the Table Mountain plateau.

Where is the Lion's Head hike starting point?

Signal Hill Road off Kloof Nek, Table Mountain National Park. The listing map pin and Google Maps directions use the same trailhead.

How long does the Lion's Head hike take?

The listing records about 2.5 hours for 5.5km. That is walking time, not a guarantee — sunset crowds and the chain scramble add time.

Lion's Head hike: distance, chains and parking

The Lion's Head hike is a 5.5km spiral around the peak, about 2.5 hours, graded moderate. You get 360° views over the city, Camps Bay and Table Mountain. You do not summit Table Mountain itself — that is Platteklip Gorge or India Venster.

Distance: 5.5 km
Grade: moderate
Time: 2.5 hours
Dogs: Allowed with a SANParks My Activity permit
Parking: Street parking on Signal Hill Road, very limited at sunset.

Full listing · Directions · Official SANParks page

Lion's Head hike trail

The Lion's Head hike trail is the SANParks spiral around the peak: 5.5km, about 2.5 hours, graded moderate. A short chain-and-ladder scramble sits near the summit. A bypass path skips that section. It does not reach the Table Mountain plateau.

Lion's Head hike parking

Lion's Head hike parking is street parking on Signal Hill Road off Kloof Nek. It is very limited at sunset and on full-moon nights. There is no SANParks pay gate at this trailhead. Walk up from Kloof Nek when the street is full.

Dogs, wind and crowds

Dogs need a SANParks My Activity permit on allowed Table Mountain routes. See the permits guide.
The upper scramble is exposed to wind. Check the forecast before you commit to the chains.
Full-moon nights are extremely busy. Arrive early or walk from Kloof Nek.

Official page: Lion's Head and Signal Hill (SANParks). Safety basics sit in the Table Mountain hiking safety guide. Compare all four standard routes in the Table Mountain hiking trails guide.

Questions

How long is the Lion's Head hike?: The listing on Hikeza records 5.5km and about 2.5 hours, graded moderate. SANParks describes a spiral path around the peak with a short chain-and-ladder scramble near the summit.
Do you need a permit for Lion's Head?: There is no SANParks pay gate at the Signal Hill Road trailhead. Dogs on allowed Table Mountain routes need a SANParks My Activity permit.
Are there chains on Lion's Head?: Yes, near the summit. A bypass path skips the chain-and-ladder scramble if you would rather not use them.
Where is the Lion's Head hike in Cape Town?: Signal Hill Road off Kloof Nek, in Table Mountain National Park. It is a spiral around Lion's Head, not a climb to the Table Mountain plateau. Compare the four standard routes in the Table Mountain hike guide.
Where is lions head capetown?: Signal Hill Road off Kloof Nek, Table Mountain National Park — the same Lion's Head hike trailhead. It is a spiral around the peak, not a climb to the Table Mountain plateau.
What is the Lion's Head hike trail?: The Lion's Head hike trail is the 5.5km spiral around the peak, about 2.5 hours, graded moderate. SANParks describes a short chain-and-ladder scramble near the summit; a bypass skips it. It is not a climb to the Table Mountain plateau.
Where is Lion's Head hike parking?: Street parking on Signal Hill Road off Kloof Nek. It is very limited at sunset and on full-moon nights. There is no SANParks pay gate at this trailhead. Many hikers walk up from Kloof Nek when the street is full.
Where is the Lion's Head hike starting point?: Signal Hill Road off Kloof Nek, Table Mountain National Park. The listing map pin and Google Maps directions use the same trailhead.
How long does the Lion's Head hike take?: The listing records about 2.5 hours for 5.5km. That is walking time, not a guarantee — sunset crowds and the chain scramble add time.