Making it to the top of Table Mountain tends to rank quite highly on most travellers’ sightseeing checklists. The trouble is, that up there stood upon its iconic flat peak, one thing is definitely missing from your panorama of the city – the landmark itself of course. The answer? Climb up nearby Lion’s Head. Now, this is a 360 view of Cape Town.
Protected by Table Mountain National Park, Lion’s Head is the hottest spot in town when it comes to catching that soft light of the rising sun. Stifling yawns, make the 669 m climb at dawn for the most rewarding views – ask any travel blogger and they’ll talk for hours about the magic of witnessing “golden hour”. All the pain of the early morning hike will be forgotten once you make it to the top, that’s a promise. The best bit? Your exercise will be done for the day before the rest of the city has even had a chance to wake up.
Generally speaking, it takes about an hour to reach the very tip of the lion’s head – and that’s allowing for pauses along the way to soak in the sweeping vistas. With multiple routes to choose from, this is a hike suitable for most ages and you don’t have to be a trained athlete to take it on either. If you do opt for the more adventurous routes, chains and ladders have been fitted along the way to help make the scramble to the top that little bit easier.