The Lions Head sunset hike: how to time it and get down safely

Lion's Head faces the open Atlantic, and the climb is short enough to fit into the late afternoon. What visitors look for as a Lion's Head Cape Town sunset is really two things, the climb and the colours. Cape Town Tourism says the mountain provides some of the most stunning sunsets in the city, and SANParks lists the view from the summit as a sweep over the Atlantic seaboard from Oudekraal through Camps Bay and Clifton to Sea Point and Green Point, as well as Table Bay and Robben Island.^2,4

The climb itself is the same easy route that the park rates easy with some minor rock scrambling, about 2 km one-way and 1 to 1.5 hours up.⁵ What changes at sunset is the setting: you climb with warm light behind you, you stand on the top for the colours, and you come down with the city lights starting below. The route has a steel ladder, a chain handrail and an optional chain ladder near the top, with a bypass on the south-east ridge.⁶

Cape Town Tourism calls a hike at sunrise, sunset or under a full moon an unforgettable experience, even in winter.⁷ Sunset is the easiest of the three to fit around a day: you can spend the morning elsewhere, climb after lunch and still be at the table for dinner. Expect to share the view, since the summit is open to everyone.

The guided listing on this site describes the sunset hike on Lion's Head in outline. The group starts about 2 hours before sunset, reaches the summit about 1 hour before sunset, then drops to a lower and less crowded section to watch the sun go down, and walks down in the twilight with flashlights supplied when required. That order gives you daylight for the steep, rocky part of the climb and a settled place for the sunset itself.

The start time follows the sunset time for your date, so it can differ from the time first booked, and the group needs to keep a steady pace to reach the summit on time. Check the confirmation for the real meeting time. The meeting point depends on the option booked, or you can choose a pickup from your accommodation.

Other guided listings follow similar lines. One offers Lion's Head at sunrise or sunset for groups limited to 8 people, and another is a sunset hike for groups limited to 7. Group size, pickup and price differ between them, and each listing's page lists its own cancellation terms, so compare before you book.

Self-guided hikers should follow the park's advice closely. SANParks recommends groups of four or more for activities in the park, says criminals are much more likely to go after individuals than groups, and asks walkers to stay on demarcated paths and not to carry valuables, cash or cameras.^9,14,15 The City of Cape Town also says never to walk alone, with groups of at least four recommended.¹⁶

Tell someone reliable your route and when you expect to be back, and call if you are running late, as SANParks asks.¹⁷ Save the park's emergency number, 0861 106 417, in your phone, and note that the City of Cape Town also lists numbers for emergencies, for Table Mountain National Park and for Wilderness Search and Rescue.^11,18 Wesgro adds that full-moon hikes need a good headlamp and a group, and the same sensible kit applies to a sunset climb.¹⁹

Parking is another sunset detail. Wesgro says it is best to start early to avoid crowds and the difficulty finding parking along Signal Hill Road, and a sunset start in the afternoon is when that road fills.¹⁹ If you are not driving, a ride-share drop saves the search. Either way, keep the walk from the car to the trailhead in your time budget.