South Africa · HIKING & TREKKING
Platteklip Gorge, Lion’s Head in the dark, the Drakensberg escarpment. These 15 walks are compared on climb, distance and start time, with a note on the ones that turn back when the cloud comes down.
Choose a sunrise or sunset climb of Cape Town's 669-meter Lion's Head with a registered English-speaking guide. Expect steady hiking, scrambling, ladders, and height exposure, plus city, ocean, Table Mountain, and Twelve Apostles views. Pickup may be available, and guides such as Kurt, Codi, and Idrees add local stories.
“Kurt is super helpful and I enjoyed his stories and jokes! Great experience!”
Climb Cape Town’s Lion’s Head with a local guide such as Kurt, Codi, Jean-Michel, or Tauriq, depending on the departure. Choose sunrise or sunset, use provided lights in the dark, stop for photos, and return to the trailhead after about 3.5 hours.
“Amazing hike! Kurt is a great guide. We had the best spots for pics, he also told us more about history. Would recommend to everyone!”
Climb Table Mountain with guides such as Brad, Robert, Kyle, or Vincent on a route matched to your fitness and confidence. Expect scrambling, Fynbos plants, wildlife, history, photo stops, and a weather-dependent cable car ride down. Small-group and private options are available.
“Brad collected us promptly from our hotel and guided us to the summit in a very understanding way! He was extremely informative and imparted his knowledge of all things Table Mountain including the wildlife and the flora. The views from the 'resting points' were special as were those from the summit. Truly worth every step and every breath.”
Join Widevision Travel for a small-group or private Lion’s Head hike with guides such as Lindy, Robert, Brad, Brandon, and Miguel. Expect a safety briefing, scrambling, photo stops, local flora and fauna stories, head torches, and sweeping views of Cape Town, Table Mountain, and the ocean.
“It was a truly amazing experience!! Our guide, Brandon was fantastic! He was on time to collect us from our hotel for both Table Mountain and Lions Head hikes. He was friendly and informative, and made us feel safe. I would highly recommend :)”
Join a small group of up to eight for a guided 210-minute climb of Lion’s Head with an English-speaking guide such as Fatima, David, or Robert. Choose the chains and ladders for a steeper finish, or take the longer ridge route. Coffee, snacks, safety gear, and first aid equipment are included.
“Great your and hike! To view Cape Town at sunset from lions head was one of the highlights of our trip. I would easily recommend this to anyone visiting Cape Town. David, our tour guide, made the tour all the more enjoyable and made sure we knew all the important aspects of the city and Lion’s head. Easy recommendation on my side!”
Join registered guide Phil for a private Cape Town hike around Lion’s Head or Table Mountain. Choose a basic or advanced route, ask questions as you go, and arrange sunrise, sunset, full moon, or paid pickup options. Bring water, sunblock, snacks, and suitable clothing.
“Loved every minute of it! Phil was great and so accomodating, an experience I will never forget and the view from the top is something pictures don’t even do justice”
Choose a steady stair climb up Platteklip Gorge or the rugged India Venster route. Local guides such as Codi, Miles, Jean-Michel, and Tauriq lead small groups, explain the mountain’s nature and culture, and help you handle steep, rocky ground. The cable car ride down costs extra.
“An unforgettable experience! Our guide Codi was very professional, and helped us to reach our goal even we thought we were not able to do it :). We also learned a lot about SA history and culture during our hike. For the India Venster route I highly recommend you wear hiking shoes, trainers can be slippery in the tecnical parts.”
Join Patrick, Andy, or another English or French-speaking guide for a sunrise or sunset climb of Cape Town’s 669-meter Lion’s Head. Expect steep paths, ladders, some scrambling, headlamps after dark, summit photos, and coffee or tea on the sunrise option.
“Was a great experience, I was alone in the group, so I got a personal tour of sorts. Special thanks to the guide, Patrick, who made the hike safe and interesting. Magnificent views throughout the entire hike.”
Hike Lion’s Head with an English-speaking guide and a group of no more than seven. You’ll climb rocky sections and ladders, learn about local plants, wildlife, history, and culture, then watch Cape Town light up after sunset. Guides have included Stuart, Rob, Greg, and Fatima.
“Stuart was the perfect guide for this hike! He guided us up there safely and offered us a helping hand when needed. :) And he had many interesting stories and facts to tell. In the end the view from the top of the mountain was just amazing! Thanks again Stuart for an awesome hike! PS: Keep in mind to bring a headlamp, since it‘s getting dark quickly on the way back.”
Start before dawn with a small English-speaking group and hike Lion’s Head to its 670-meter summit. Your guide handles the pace, chains, and route choices while you watch Cape Town brighten over Table Mountain, Robben Island, Camps Bay, and Sea Point. Pickup, water, and a snack are included.
“Lynette was absolutely great! It was magical to walk up the Lions Head! Would recommend it to everyone.”
Choose a Cape Town mountain route with Muki Venture’s accredited local guides, including Muki, Nashaad, Shannine, Chisai, Hannes, and Chasia. Pick Lion’s Head for 360-degree views, India Venster for scrambling, or Skeleton Gorge for forest. Sunrise departures, private transport, poles, and headlamps are available.
“Muki was a fantastic guide from beginning to end. He has been guiding on Table Mountain for 15 years and has never had an incident. We felt in very safe hands. He entertained us the whole way up by telling stories of past ventures, meaning thRead more”
Join a professional guide for a roughly 3.5-hour Lion’s Head hike, with a 90-minute ascent, city and ocean views, and sunset or sunrise light. Guides such as Rob and Stuart are praised for patient pacing and safety. Bring water, hiking shoes, and a warm layer.
“Fantastic guide. Knowledgeable. Fun. Sharp. I highly recommend. Great overall experience. * “Extra words” to fit minimum unnecessary text count requirements to leave a review.”
You’ll climb Lion’s Head with a registered guide such as Patrick, Frank, or Andy, using ladders, chains, and rocky steps to reach a 360-degree summit view. Choose sunrise with coffee, sunset with headlamps, and optional hotel transfers. The four-hour hike suits fit children aged 10 and older.
“This was so much fun and amazing even though our view was completely clouded over. Patrick was the perfect guide taking us to the mountain he clearly loves. We appreciate especially that he was able to take us on a same day booking. He kept us going and definitely kept an eye on our safety. We only wish we had more time to go on another hike with him!”
Hike Table Mountain’s oldest route with a qualified English-speaking guide such as Lynette, Nick, or Barry. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the steep climb, enjoy views of Cape Town, Lion’s Head, Robben Island, and Devil’s Peak, then take the cableway down.
“Brilliant experience led by Lynette. Well paced for the group, learnt lots of interesting information- overall a very memorable experience. Must emphasise though it is a strenuous climb and though described as the easiest route , it is not easy. Overall would really really recommend as an enriching experience.”
Join Lynette of OTC Adventures for a two to three hour guided hike up 669-meter Lion’s Head. Expect a small group, pre-dawn starts for sunrise, ladders and chains near the summit, and wide views of Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Table Bay, Robben Island, and Cape Town.
“Our sunrise hike up Lion's Head with Lynette was truly magical! Starting in the pre-dawn glow, the trail offered a thrilling adventure with ladders and chains, leading to the most breathtaking 360-degree views of Cape Town. As the sun rose ovRead more”
Pick a reserve, a coastline or a cellar.
