Cape Town: Lion's Head Hike Sunrise or Sunset Small Group

Lion’s head hike at sunrise or sunset with local guide small group

You’ll feel Cape Town come alive beneath your feet as you hike Lion’s Head at sunrise or sunset with a small group and local guide. Expect laughs on the ladders, quiet moments at the summit, and hot coffee or tea when you need it most. It’s not easy, but you’ll remember those views long after your legs stop aching.

Options for this experience

4 options

From US$ 63 to US$ 86 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Pick-up and drop-off are excluded. 5 departure times: the first at 03:30, the last at 17:15 Guide in English or French Up to 6 people No transport service has been selected.

Transport: Drop-off only 5 departure times: the first at 03:30, the last at 17:15 Guide in English or French Up to 4 people Drop-off only: If you'd rather not wait for transport after dark, we can take you back to your accommodation in the Cape Town city bowl.

Pick-up and drop-off are included. 5 departure times: the first at 03:15, the last at 16:45 Guide in English or French Up to 4 people Mercedes transport, pick-up and drop-off: For convenience, we can collect you from and drop you off at your accommodation in the Cape Town city bowl only. Pickup is included.

Private Group Hike 5 departure times: the first at 03:15, the last at 16:45 Guide in English or French Up to 4 people Private group Lion's Head hike: This private group hike lets you set the pace to suit your preferences. Transport is included, and pickup is included.

None of these options right for you? See 4 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Lion's Head sunrise or sunset hike

• Drive 15 minutes to Lion's Head
• Begin hike on spiral trail
• Scramble rocks and climb ladders
• Navigate narrow chain-secured section
• Reach 669 m summit for views
• Enjoy coffee or tea at sunrise
• Descend using headlamps if sunset

What’s included

Your morning or evening includes regular stops for photos and rest along Lion’s Head trail with a registered hiking guide who shares stories about local flora like fynbos. You’ll get safety tips before starting out, help taking photos at great spots, headlamps for early or late light, plus coffee or tea served at sunrise on top of Cape Town: all in a relaxed small group setting.

Times

Looking for another day or time? ›

• Every day except Thursday and Friday 03:15 03:30 03:45 16:15 16:30 16:45 17:00 17:15
• Thursday 03:30 03:45 16:30 16:45 17:00
• Friday 03:15 03:30 03:45 16:15 16:30 16:45 17:00

Information

Wake up early for a sunrise hike or catch sunset views from Lion’s Head in Cape Town. Small group, local guide, coffee or tea included, with city pickup.

Group Up to 6 1 similar private tour ›

Live guide English and French Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 240 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 15 minutes before departure. See the exact addressSee the pickup points

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (20 to 65 years) · Youth (14 to 19 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Physically demanding Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.97 ★★★★★ Exceptional 90 verified traveler reviews 97% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 87

4 ★ 3

3 ★ 0

2 ★ 0

1 ★ 0

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

We met just before dawn in Cape Town (still half asleep, honestly), and I remember the streetlights flickering off as our guide, Sipho, handed out headlamps and grinned like he’d done this a hundred times. The drive to Lion’s Head took maybe 15 minutes but felt shorter. There was this low hum of excitement (and a bit of dread about the climb). I could smell coffee from someone’s thermos mixing with the salty air coming through the open window. It was colder than I expected: should’ve brought that extra layer.

The trail winds around the mountain in these wide spirals, so every few minutes you get a new angle on Cape Town waking up below. At one point, Sipho stopped us to point out some tiny yellow flowers pushing through cracks in the rock: fynbos, he called them. He knew all their names. I forgot them immediately except for “king protea,” which stuck because it sounded regal. The path gets steeper near the top, and there’s this section with chains and ladders where my legs started shaking (not sure if it was nerves or just being unfit). Someone behind me laughed when I tried to scramble up too quickly, good-natured, not mean.

We reached the summit just as the sun cracked over Table Mountain. The city looked unreal: like someone had painted it in soft pinks and golds. Everyone went quiet for a minute except for some gulls making a racket overhead. Sipho poured us coffee and tea from his battered flask. It tasted smoky and strong, maybe just because we’d earned it. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home. Going down was almost harder than up, my knees complained the whole way, but seeing the city lights flicker on at sunset would probably be worth it too.

Top questions

Can I be picked up at my hotel?

You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 240 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 15 minutes before departure.

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 19 years). Children under 14 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does it take to hike Lion's Head from Cape Town?

The hike to Lion's Head summit takes about 90 minutes from the base, plus time for breaks.

Is Lion's Head hike difficult?

The trail is moderately challenging with some rock scrambling, ladders, and chains near the top.

What should I bring for a sunrise or sunset Lion's Head hike?

Wear closed shoes, bring water, a warm top for the peak, and your camera. Headlamps are provided.

Is coffee or tea included on this Lion's Head hike?

Yes, coffee and tea are served on sunrise hikes at the summit.

Are there guides on this Lion's Head small group hike?

Yes, a registered adventure hiking guide leads each small group tour.

What happens if there is bad weather?

The hike is weather dependent and may be rescheduled if conditions are unsafe.

Operated by Table Mountain hiking tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated today