Lion's Head hike ladders: what to pack for the climb

Start from the ground up. Cape Town Tourism's Table Mountain guidance lists trail running shoes or hiking boots and a small hiking backpack.¹ Lion's Head is a lower mountain, yet the surface is the same kind of rock, and the route ends with a short, steep scramble. The trail spirals around the mountain before that scramble, so your shoes face loose ground, sandy track and bare rock in a single outing.

The ladders and chains are the reason grip matters. To reach the views you climb a steel ladder, negotiate a chain handrail and, if you feel adventurous, cross a chain ladder before the summit.⁵ There are ladders and chains to assist you near the top.⁶ A flat-soled fashion trainer slides on polished stone, while a shoe with a deeper tread bites. Choose the pair you would trust on a wet path, as the weather on this mountain can change quickly.⁷

A thin pair of gloves with a grippy palm protects your hands on the cold, gritty links of the Lion's Head hike chains and costs little. Keep your hands free on the ladder by carrying everything in a backpack with a chest strap. You can also bypass the chain ladder: an easier route up the south-east ridge exists.⁸ Decide at the foot of the section, and do not carry a camera in your hand while climbing. Try the whole kit on at home, with the pack loaded, so that nothing rubs or shifts on the climb.

Pack for the top of Lion's Head, not the car park. A rain jacket or a hoodie is on the list, as it can sometimes get windy and chilly on the top.³ South African Tourism says it is generally a fair bit colder at the top than at ground level.¹³ If you are going up for sunset, bring something warm, as the trek down after sunset can get chilly.¹⁴ Pack the jacket where you can reach it, not at the bottom of the bag, and put it on before you feel cold.

The sun needs its own plan. The guidance lists sunscreen, a cap or a hat and sunglasses.^4,24 Cape Town Tourism advises applying sun block before spending time outdoors and reapplying halfway through the day.¹² The wind can hide the heat, and wind alone is not a guide to burn risk. Apply sunscreen at the car park, and carry it for a top-up at the summit. Lip balm with sun protection is a small item that people tend to forget on a ridge walk.

The wind also decides what you wear. The Cape Doctor can have you reaching for a cardigan or light jacket even when temperatures are on the hot side.²⁵ A thin windproof layer that packs small is better than a heavy fleece. Wear a base layer that dries quickly, add the jacket at the top, and keep it in the pack on the way up, where it stays dry. Check that the hood fits over a cap, because a hood that blows off is no use on the ridge.