LIONS HEAD: SPIRAL ROUTE
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November 2020
Lions Head is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions, and forms part of the iconic Table Mountain skyline. It stands 670m above sea level, and falls within the Table Mountain National Park. It is South Africa’s most climbed peak, with an estimated +200 000 people summiting it every year.
The popular Spiral Route is a 5.5km out and back path, and the hike can be completed in under 2 hours. My watch gave me a total elevation gain of 387m from the parking area. The summit offers 360 degree views of Cape Town, including Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Clifton, The 12 Apostles, the Bo-Kaap and Robben Island. Due to its close proximity to the CBD it is extremely popular with fitness fanatics, adventure seekers and causal hikers.
The hike starts with a steep incline for the first 1000m or so, before it begins to flatten out. Your hard effort is rewarded with views of Camps Bay, Sea Point, and the Kramat of Shaikh Hassen. The path continues to wind its way around the mountain, with the city bowl and Table Mountain coming into view next. You will have now gone full circle around Lions Head, and by this point you will have completed roughly 2/3rds of the hike.
This is where it becomes interesting! You will first come across a steel ladder, followed a few hundred meters later by a rock face which can only be scaled by using the chain hand rails and steel footholds/staples. The original chains were put in place by three blacksmiths in 1881, while working on the Robinson Dry Dock. The 1990s saw the addition of metal footholds, as the natural rock footholds had become highly polished and dangerous. As the volume of people visiting the mountain grew, so did the number of accidents. In 2010 steel staples (handles) were installed which made the route a lot safer and easier to climb. The rock face and steel staples can look quite daunting, so for those with a fear of heights there is a safer option to continue walking along the path in the direction of Table Mountain, and avoid climbing the chains. This path will add an extra 15mins to your hike, and will bring back to the top of the steel chains and below the the Italian Stone Pine trees.
The path begins to steepen again as it winds its way between the pine trees and mountain rock face. Watch out for slippery and exposed roots. There is one last ladder to climb, and a few more boulders and large rock steps to navigate and scramble over, as you make your way up the spine. This last section is a little taxing, taking roughly 10mins to complete, but it will be worth it when you get to the top. It can also be exposed to the wind, so take it easy and make sure of your step. Once on top spectacular views await, and it will have been well worth the effort. On a clear day you will be able see Robben Island, over the bay to Bloubergstrand, as well as out to Stellenbosch and the Hottentots Holland Mountain range.
This is a very popular route so it can get quite congested. With more people around it means its one of the safer hikes around, but that doesn’t mean you can drop your guard. Always pay attention to your surroundings. Definitely one of Cape Towns must do highlights.
Please note that this is our interpretation of the hike and is not meant to be used for navigation purposes. Hiking can involve dangerous elements, and remember that the weather on top of a mountain is always different to that at the base. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times, wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, don’t litter and stick to the foot paths. Do not light a fire no matter what.
NEED TO KNOW:
- DURATION: 2 – 4 hours depending on your fitness levels and rest periods.
- DISTANCE: ±6 km
- EFFORT LEVEL: 7/10.
- TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: 6/10
- REQUIREMENTS: Comfortable shoes, water bottle, snacks, warm top.
- ENTRY FEE: n/a.
- AMENITIES: No toilets available, closest are at the base of Table Mountain. Small coffee stand at start.
- SAFETY: 8/10. Always monitor your surroundings.
- ACCESSIBILITY: You will need to be fit and mobile to complete this hike. There are ladders, steel staples and chains, but only some of them can be avoided. Not advisable for small kids.
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LIONS HEAD
SPIRAL ROUTE
November 2020
Lions Head is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions, and forms part of the iconic Table Mountain skyline. It stands 670m above sea level, and falls within the Table Mountain National Park. It is South Africa’s most climbed peak, with an estimated +200 000 people summiting it every year.
The popular Spiral Route is a 5.5km out and back path, and the hike can be completed in under 2 hours. My watch gave me a total elevation gain of 387m from the parking area. The summit offers 360 degree views of Cape Town, including Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Clifton, The 12 Apostles, the Bo-Kaap and Robben Island. Due to its close proximity to the CBD it is extremely popular with fitness fanatics, adventure seekers and causal hikers.
The hike starts with a steep incline for the first 1000m or so, before it begins to flatten out. Your hard effort is rewarded with views of Camps Bay, Sea Point, and the Kramat of Shaikh Hassen. The path continues to wind its way around the mountain, with the city bowl and Table Mountain coming into view next. You will have now gone full circle around Lions Head, and by this point you will have completed roughly 2/3rds of the hike.
This is where it becomes interesting! You will first come across a steel ladder, followed a few hundred meters later by a rock face which can only be scaled by using the chain hand rails and steel footholds/staples. The original chains were put in place by three blacksmiths in 1881, while working on the Robinson Dry Dock. The 1990s saw the addition of metal footholds, as the natural rock footholds had become highly polished and dangerous. As the volume of people visiting the mountain grew, so did the number of accidents. In 2010 steel staples (handles) were installed which made the route a lot safer and easier to climb. The rock face and steel staples can look quite daunting, so for those with a fear of heights there is a safer option to continue walking along the path in the direction of Table Mountain, and avoid climbing the chains. This path will add an extra 15mins to your hike, and will bring back to the top of the steel chains and below the the Italian Stone Pine trees.
The path begins to steepen again as it winds its way between the pine trees and mountain rock face. Watch out for slippery and exposed roots. There is one last ladder to climb, and a few more boulders and large rock steps to navigate and scramble over, as you make your way up the spine. This last section is a little taxing, taking roughly 10mins to complete, but it will be worth it when you get to the top. It can also be exposed to the wind, so take it easy and make sure of your step. Once on top spectacular views await, and it will have been well worth the effort. On a clear day you will be able see Robben Island, over the bay to Bloubergstrand, as well as out to Stellenbosch and the Hottentots Holland Mountain range.
This is a very popular route so it can get quite congested. With more people around it means its one of the safer hikes around, but that doesn’t mean you can drop your guard. Always pay attention to your surroundings. Definitely one of Cape Towns must do highlights.
NEED TO KNOW:
- DURATION: 2 – 4 hours depending on your fitness levels and rest periods.
- DISTANCE: ±6 km
- EFFORT LEVEL: 7/10.
- TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: 6/10
- REQUIREMENTS: Comfortable shoes, water bottle, snacks, warm top.
- ENTRY FEE: n/a.
- AMENITIES: No toilets available, closest are at the base of Table Mountain. Small coffee stand at start.
- SAFETY: 8/10. Always monitor your surroundings.
- ACCESSIBILITY: You will need to be fit and mobile to complete this hike. There are ladders, steel staples and chains, but only some of them can be avoided. Not advisable for small kids.
Please note that this is our interpretation of the hike and is not meant to be used for navigation purposes. Hiking can involve dangerous elements, and remember that the weather on top of a mountain is always different to that at the base. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times, wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, don’t litter and stick to the foot paths. Do not light a fire no matter what.
LIONS HEAD
SPIRAL ROUTE
November 2020
Lions Head is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions, and forms part of the iconic Table Mountain skyline. It stands 670m above sea level, and falls within the Table Mountain National Park. It is South Africa’s most climbed peak, with an estimated +200 000 people summiting it every year.
The popular Spiral Route is a 5.5km out and back path, and the hike can be completed in under 2 hours. My watch gave me a total elevation gain of 387m from the parking area. The summit offers 360 degree views of Cape Town, including Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Clifton, The 12 Apostles, the Bo-Kaap and Robben Island. Due to its close proximity to the CBD it is extremely popular with fitness fanatics, adventure seekers and causal hikers.
The hike starts with a steep incline for the first 1000m or so, before it begins to flatten out. Your hard effort is rewarded with views of Camps Bay, Sea Point, and the Kramat of Shaikh Hassen. The path continues to wind its way around the mountain, with the city bowl and Table Mountain coming into view next. You will have now gone full circle around Lions Head, and by this point you will have completed roughly 2/3rds of the hike.
This is where it becomes interesting! You will first come across a steel ladder, followed a few hundred meters later by a rock face which can only be scaled by using the chain hand rails and steel footholds/staples. The original chains were put in place by three blacksmiths in 1881, while working on the Robinson Dry Dock. The 1990s saw the addition of metal footholds, as the natural rock footholds had become highly polished and dangerous. As the volume of people visiting the mountain grew, so did the number of accidents. In 2010 steel staples (handles) were installed which made the route a lot safer and easier to climb. The rock face and steel staples can look quite daunting, so for those with a fear of heights there is a safer option to continue walking along the path in the direction of Table Mountain, and avoid climbing the chains. This path will add an extra 15mins to your hike, and will bring back to the top of the steel chains and below the the Italian Stone Pine trees.
The path begins to steepen again as it winds its way between the pine trees and mountain rock face. Watch out for slippery and exposed roots. There is one last ladder to climb, and a few more boulders and large rock steps to navigate and scramble over, as you make your way up the spine. This last section is a little taxing, taking roughly 10mins to complete, but it will be worth it when you get to the top. It can also be exposed to the wind, so take it easy and make sure of your step. Once on top spectacular views await, and it will have been well worth the effort. On a clear day you will be able see Robben Island, over the bay to Bloubergstrand, as well as out to Stellenbosch and the Hottentots Holland Mountain range.
This is a very popular route so it can get quite congested. With more people around it means its one of the safer hikes around, but that doesn’t mean you can drop your guard. Always pay attention to your surroundings. Definitely one of Cape Towns must do highlights.
NEED TO KNOW:
- DURATION: 2 – 4 hours depending on your fitness levels and rest periods.
- DISTANCE: ±6 km
- EFFORT LEVEL: 7/10.
- TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: 6/10
- REQUIREMENTS: Comfortable shoes, water bottle, snacks, warm top.
- ENTRY FEE: n/a.
- AMENITIES: No toilets available, closest are at the base of Table Mountain. Small coffee stand at start.
- SAFETY: 8/10. Always monitor your surroundings.
- ACCESSIBILITY: You will need to be fit and mobile to complete this hike. There are ladders, steel staples and chains, but only some of them can be avoided. Not advisable for small kids.
Please note that this is our interpretation of the hike and is not meant to be used for navigation purposes. Hiking can involve dangerous elements, and remember that the weather on top of a mountain is always different to that at the base. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times, wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, don’t litter and stick to the foot paths. Do not light a fire no matter what.