A South African guide for tourists and locals alike.
Whether you are an avid adventurer, a humble beginner, or someone who has been dragged unwillingly into climbing up this mountain, Lion's Head is a definite must. With a trail of 5.5 kms up and an additional 5.5 kms down, it is in the category of moderate difficulty, making it an easy hike for the family.
This beast and beauty of a rock is one of the best points to view the beautiful city of Cape Town from. Right before summiting, hikers may catch their breath while gazing over the wide-spread Atlantic Ocean. As they peak, their optical space is flooded with sights from every corner - from the view below of Clifton, Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, and Fresnaye, to the far and beyond of Signal Hill, Tamboerskloof. Oranjezicht, Woodstock and of course, the neighboring Table Mountain.
Coming from the perspective of a Jozi-girl who is familiar with trekking in the Magalies, Drakensburg, Sabie, and Mpumalanga mountains, I can say that this experience was fresh, exhilarating and unique. It filled my hiker's heart to the brim, and I have no doubt it will do the same for yours.
Pro-Tips:
Times:
Winter: 05:00 AM is ideal, as you should summit well before the 07:00 AM sunrise.
Summer: 17:00 PM is ideal, as you should summit well before the sun sets between 19:00 and 20:00 PM
Parking
The earlier you arrive, the better. My group struggled to find an adequate parking place amongst the hundreds of other visiting hikers' vehicles. There is limited space to leave your car along the road, and you will be ticketed a steep fine should your vehicle protrude ever so slightly into the road. So please, get that head-start honey!
W H A T T O P A C K :
Back pack
Snacks for a mini picnic on top (I brought naartjies and an energy bar for blood sugar levels, salted almonds for electrolytes, and a berry fruit roll just because.)
2 L of water per person
sun-cap and sunblock
A buff / mask
Comfortable shoes for walking and climbing in (some sections will require grip on rock-faces)
An enthusiastic, go-getter attitude
Overall,
enjoy the challenge, take deep breaths with every stride, climb the ladders slowly, tackle the staples in the rockface, and don't forget to absorb your surroundings by pausing to look around. Create memories while connecting with others in nature, and afterwards cool your feet in the waves of Camps Bay with an ice-cream in hand. What a capital way to spend the day, wouldn't you agree?
With sweet joy & lemon zest,
Hannah Mia :)
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