Have The Last Word

The summit of Lion’s Head, not really a hidden gem considering you can see it no matter where you are standing in the city of Cape Town, but that to get there takes a bit of effort and in most cases, sweat…

Climbing to the top of Lion’s Head is a real treat, even if it involves scaling chain ladders and feeling like your lungs want to pop (depending on how fit you are), the views from the top make it all worth while!  We usually head to the top with a bag full of food and some form of liquid refreshment to toast our efforts at making it to the summit.

Climbing from almost the moment you step your foot out of your car, you slowly round Lion’s head, taking in views of Table mountain from the city side as well as the 12 Apostles.  Once you reach the Atlantic seaboard side you have spectacular views over the Clifton’s and Camps Bay and around to Sea Point and Mouille Point, back to the city.  Take your time up this part of the path, you can even stop and watch as the paragliders launch themselves off of the launching pad which overlooks Camps Bay.

Once you get to the chain ladders it isn’t much longer to the top but the rest of the way is very steep and involves boulder hopping. The top does surprise you somewhat as you reach it since most of us trudge uphill with our heads down so when suddenly the ground evens out, you are forced to look up and are awarded with a full 360 degree view around the Peninsula – well worth the effort and most definitely worth carrying a bottle of champagne up to watch the sunset.

Note:  At full moon you can go up just before sunset and stay to watch the moon rise which is usually bright enough for your walk down without any torches, it can get quite busy though so be prepared.

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