Short answer: pick Lion’s Head if you want Cape Town’s most famous sunrise or sunset hike, 360° views and a fun scramble with chains and ladders in about 3 hours. Pick Platteklip Gorge if you want to stand on top of Table Mountain itself, don’t mind a long, steep staircase, and like the option of taking the cable car down.
Both are the two most-asked-about hikes in Cape Town, and our guides lead them almost every day. Here’s how they compare, from the people who hike them most.
Lion’s Head vs Platteklip Gorge at a glance
| Lion’s Head | Platteklip Gorge (Table Mountain) | |
|---|---|---|
| Summit height | 669 m | About 1,086 m (Table Mountain’s highest point) |
| Distance | About 4.3 km circular | About 3.3 km to the top (one way) |
| Time | 3–3.5 hours return | 2.5–3.5 hours to the top |
| Difficulty | Moderate, with chains and ladders near the top | Moderate but steep and relentless, mostly rock steps |
| Best time | Sunrise or sunset | Morning, before the heat and the wind |
| Starting point | Lion’s Head parking, Signal Hill Road | Tafelberg Road |
| Way down | Same mountain, back to the car | Walk down, or cable car down when it’s running |
| Guided group price | R1,250 per person | R1,250 per person |
Choose Lion’s Head if…
- You want the classic Cape Town photo. From the top you see Table Mountain, Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles, Robben Island and the whole City Bowl.
- You want sunrise or sunset. Lion’s Head faces both the sunrise over the city and the sunset over the Atlantic, which is why our group hikes start about 1.5 hours before sunrise or 2.5 hours before sunset.
- You like a bit of adventure. The upper section has chains, staples and short ladders. Your guide shows you exactly where to put your hands and feet.
- You have half a day. It fits neatly into a morning or late afternoon.
See Lion’s Head dates, prices and start times →
Choose Platteklip Gorge if…
- You want to say you climbed Table Mountain. Platteklip is the most direct route to the top of one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
- You’re fit and steady rather than adventurous. There’s no scrambling or chains, just a long climb up a gorge on rock steps.
- You’d like an easier way down. When the cable car is running, many hikers walk up and ride down (cable car tickets are for your own account).
- You’re hiking in the morning. The gorge is in shade early on, which makes a big difference in summer.
See Platteklip Gorge dates, prices and start times →
Which one is harder?
They’re hard in different ways. Platteklip has far more climbing in one go: you gain roughly twice the height of Lion’s Head, almost all of it on steep steps, so your legs and lungs work the whole way. Lion’s Head is shorter and gentler for most of the walk, but the final section asks for a little confidence on chains and rock. If you’re nervous of heights, Platteklip is usually the more comfortable choice. If you’d rather keep the climbing shorter, Lion’s Head is the better fit.
Can I do both in one trip?
Yes, and many of our guests do. A popular plan is Lion’s Head at sunset on your first evening, then Platteklip (or the more adventurous India Venster) on a clear morning later in the week. Keep a spare day: Table Mountain’s weather changes fast, and the top can disappear under its famous “tablecloth” of cloud.
Why hike with a guide?
- Your guide knows the safest line on the chains and the quickest way off the mountain if the weather turns.
- You don’t have to worry about parking, start times or getting lost in the dark at sunrise.
- Groups are small, and you can book a private hike for just your group from R5,000 for 1–4 guests.
- We’re rated 5.0 from 400+ Google reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lion’s Head or Table Mountain better for sunset?
Lion’s Head. It’s the go-to sunset hike in Cape Town because you come down the same side you went up, with the city lights coming on below you. Platteklip is best done in the morning.
Do I need to be fit?
For Lion’s Head you should be comfortable walking uphill for 1.5 hours with breaks. For Platteklip, regular exercise helps a lot: it’s a steady 2.5–3.5 hour climb.
What should I bring?
Proper walking shoes with grip, at least 1–1.5 litres of water, a warm layer and windbreaker, sunscreen and a snack. For sunrise and sunset hikes, bring a headlamp.
Can you pick us up from our hotel?
Yes. Hotel-to-trail transfers are available at an extra cost and are confirmed on WhatsApp after you book.
