Hiking Tours · SUNRISE HIKES IN SOUTH AFRICA

The 15 Best Sunrise Hikes in South Africa

22 tours  ·  from $38 a head

The 15 best sunrise hikes in South Africa you can book today, with how far each one walks, how early it starts and what it costs. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise or Sunset Hike - Sunrise or sunset: choosing the right version
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Lion’s Head Sunrise or Sunset Hike

1.Lion’s Head Sunrise or Sunset Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,084 reviews · from $46Our pick

Climb Cape Town’s 669-meter Lion’s Head with guides such as Idrees, Kurt, or Codi. Expect a steady hike with scrambling, ladders, steep sections, and wide views of Table Mountain, Camps Bay, and the Atlantic. Choose sunrise in the dark or sunset in the evening.

“We had an amazing experience hiking Lion’s Head at sunset with our guide, Kurt. He made the tour not only safe and well-organized, but also fun and inspiring with his knowledge and positive energy. The views were breathtaking, and Kurt knew the best spots to enjoy them. His passion for Cape Town and its nature really shines through, and he went above and beyond to make the hike unforgettable. Highly recommend booking a tour with him if you want a truly memorable adventure! Thank you Kurt!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike - Starting at Signal Hill Road
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Lion’s Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike

2.Lion’s Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 921 reviews · from $65

Climb Lion’s Head with a small group and guides such as Kurt, Codi, or Jean-Michel. Choose sunrise over the Hottentots Holland Mountains or sunset above the Atlantic. Expect ladders, rocky sections, night hiking with a supplied flashlight, photo stops, and about three and a half hours on the trail.

“An unforgettable hike with the best guide ever. What began as a cloudy morning turned into pure magic. By the time we reached Lion’s Head summit, we were above the clouds, watching the sunrise over a sea of mist.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise or Sunset Guided Hike - What the three-hour route feels like
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Guided, Guided Day Hikes, Guided Day Hikes in Cape Town, Guided Day Hikes in South Africa, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Lion’s Head Sunrise or Sunset Guided Hike

3.Lion’s Head Sunrise or Sunset Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 642 reviews · 3 hours - 210 minutes · from $38Best value

Join guides such as Robert, Lindy, Brad, or Brandon for a three-hour Lion’s Head hike timed for sunrise or sunset. Expect scrambling, ladders, chains, dark sections, head torches, plant and wildlife information, and help with photos from the summit.

“Lindy was a great and informative guide who took good care of everyone”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Guided Lion's Head Hike at Sunrise or Sunset - Meeting at 5 Signal Hill Road
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Guided, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Guided Lion’s Head Hike at Sunrise or Sunset

4.Guided Lion’s Head Hike at Sunrise or Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 312 reviews · 3h 30m · from $56

Climb Lion’s Head with an English-speaking guide such as Fatima, David, or Santonio, choosing a sunrise or sunset start. Expect rocky paths, optional chains and ladders, Cape Town views, coffee, snacks, and a small group of up to eight people.

“Amazing experience, super engaging guide. Robert is very friendly and makes you feel really safe and welcome.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise with coffee or Sunset Hike - Starting at Lion’s Head car park
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Coffee Experiences, Evening Experiences, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Lion’s Head Sunrise with coffee or Sunset Hike

5.Lion’s Head Sunrise with coffee or Sunset Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 160 reviews · from $49

Choose a guided Lion’s Head sunrise hike with coffee or a sunset climb with a headlamp. Patrick and Andy are among the named guides, offering local history, safety help, photos, and route advice on the 669-meter peak. Hotel pickup is available with selected options.

“We loved hiking lions head with our tour guide, Patrick. He was very knowledgeable and friendly, gave us a quasi -tour of capetown on our way up! He was prepared and helpful and really kept us safe (we are not experienced hikers at all!) Would do this again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise Hike - Starting before dawn and meeting your guide
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Lion’s Head Sunrise Hike

6.Lion’s Head Sunrise Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 67 reviews · 3 hours · from $93

Start before dawn, climb Lion’s Head with an English-speaking guide, and reach the 670-meter summit for sunrise over Cape Town. Choose a route with chains and staples or a simpler path. Pickup, water, a snack, and a group of up to 10 are included.

“We had a great time hiking lion's head with our tour guide. He made sure we started early enough that we were at the top with plenty of time to see the sunrise, which was breathtaking. He was really fun and easy to talk to and put us at ease. He also took some photos of us at the top! One concern was that we were not able to be picked up from our hotel in Woodstock because it was out of range - so we had to pay extra for a taxi to pick us up, but then when we arrived, our guide said it would have been no…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hiking Lion's Head for Sunrise or Sunset - Sunrise at the summit, with coffee and changing fog
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Hiking Lion’s Head for Sunrise or Sunset

7.Hiking Lion’s Head for Sunrise or Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $70

Climb Lion’s Head with a small group of up to seven and an experienced guide such as Patrick or Frank. Expect a steady uphill walk, ladders, hand-assisted rock sections, and a dark descent after sunset. Sunrise trips include coffee, while optional transfers simplify the early start or late return.

“Amazing trip with guide Frank, great for solo travellers and felt very safe. When climbing you start with an uphill slope and then it goes into steeper parts where you use hands and feet and climb ladders etc so good agility is important. After sunset came back in the dark with head torches. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

The Best! Lions Head Sunrise & Sunset Hike & Hotel Pick-up - The trail from Lion’s Head Parking to the summit
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Hikes with Hotel Pickup, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

The Best! Lions Head Sunrise & Sunset Hike & Hotel Pick-up

8.The Best! Lions Head Sunrise & Sunset Hike & Hotel Pick-up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $74

Choose a sunrise or sunset climb of Lion’s Head with a certified guide from Climb Table Mountain. The 3 to 4-hour outing includes hotel pickup, rocky paths, grassy slopes, chain ladders, and time at the summit. Guides such as Kai, Kieron, and Yvette provide support, local insight, photos, and refreshments.

“I and my son had a great morning hike, with a smooth pick-up at Hotel! Guide was friendly, and very experienced and knowledgeable about the area and its environment/nature overall. Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lion's Head Hike: Cape Town - Sunrise or Sunset Hike - Sunrise or sunset: choosing the right mood
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Lion’s Head Hike: Cape Town – Sunrise or Sunset Hike

9.Lion’s Head Hike: Cape Town – Sunrise or Sunset Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 3h 30m · from $49

Climb Lion’s Head with a local English or Afrikaans-speaking guide on a 3.5-hour sunrise or sunset hike. Expect changing views, fynbos, Cape Town stories, headlamps, photo stops, and a final scramble with ladders. Guides such as Jarrod, Ryon, Miguel, and Vincent set a friendly pace.

“I had such a wonderful experience hiking Lions Head with this guide. I couldn't have done it without Ryon. It was my first time hiking ever, but he made me feel comfortable and helped me whenever needed. I would recommend booking here to everyone; the hike is beautiful, but with this guide, it's even better! Thank you so much, I really enjoyed it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lion's Head Sunrise or Sunset Hike + Hotel Pick-Up - Your 20-minute ride to the trailhead
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Hikes with Hotel Pickup, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Lion’s Head Sunrise or Sunset Hike + Hotel Pick-Up

10.Lion’s Head Sunrise or Sunset Hike + Hotel Pick-Up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 3h 30m · from $62

Join Geoff of Cape Hiker for a private sunrise or sunset hike up Lion’s Head. A 5.5-kilometer circular route brings you past native plants, rocky scrambles, chains, and ladders to wide views of Cape Town, Table Mountain, and the ocean.

“Superb Tour with Geoff, breathtaking views , sunrise as its best, a must do in Cape Town”

Check availability →Read our full review

Guided Sunset/Sunrise Hike on Lions Head,Cape Town (Hotel Pickup) - A steady climb with room for local stories
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Guided, Hikes with Hotel Pickup, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Guided Sunset/Sunrise Hike on Lions Head,Cape Town (Hotel Pickup)

11.Guided Sunset/Sunrise Hike on Lions Head,Cape Town (Hotel Pickup)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $98

Start before sunrise or sunset with private pickup, a headlamp, and a qualified guide such as Shamier, Ian, or Nashad. Hike Lion’s Head at a steady pace, tackle its steep chains and rock sections, and watch Cape Town, Table Mountain, and the Atlantic Ocean change color from above.

“Sunrise Hiking Lion's Head Mountain with Shamier was an absolute pleasure. His deep understanding of the mountain made the hike incredibly insightful and enjoyable. He made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable, especially on the more challenging parts of the trail, Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lion's Head Hike for Sunrise - The safety briefing and predawn climb
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Lion’s Head Hike for Sunrise

12.Lion’s Head Hike for Sunrise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $85

Meet your English-speaking guide before dawn and follow a lit route up Lion’s Head for sunrise. Barry and Idrees are praised for patient pacing and safety. Expect rock scrambling, fixed ladders, chains, Cape Town views, snacks, water, and optional hotel pickup.

“Het was een pittige hike naar boven maar zeker de moeite waard. Mooie zonsopgang en uitzicht over Kaapstad.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sunrise & Sunset Lion's Head Hike + Hotel Pick-Up - The one-to-two-hour climb through changing ground
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Evening Experiences, Hikes with Hotel Pickup, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Sunset Hikes, Sunset Hikes in Cape Town, Sunset Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Sunrise & Sunset Lion’s Head Hike + Hotel Pick-Up

13.Sunrise & Sunset Lion’s Head Hike + Hotel Pick-Up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $55

Join a certified English or French-speaking guide such as Kai, Yvette, or Cara for a moderate Lion's Head hike with hotel pick-up in central Cape Town and the Atlantic Seaboard. Expect rocky paths, grassy slopes, chain ladders, headlamps, snacks, water, and sunrise or sunset views.

“Cara was een leuke enthousiaste gids,die veel vertelde over de flora en fauna op Lions Head en ons deskundig nasr boven leidde tijdens de klim voor zonsondergang te zien.Had koffie en druiven voor ons bij zich.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hiking Table Mountain at sunrise Platteklip Gorge Morning Hike - Sunrise Rewards the Hard Work
Canyon & Gorge Hikes, Canyon Hikes in Cape Town, Canyon Hikes in South Africa, Cape Town Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Morning, Mountain & Summit Hikes, Mountain Hikes in Cape Town, Mountain Hikes in South Africa, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Table Mountain Hikes, Tour Reviews

Hiking Table Mountain at sunrise Platteklip Gorge Morning Hike

14.Hiking Table Mountain at sunrise Platteklip Gorge Morning Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $92

Join guide Patrick or another registered hiking guide before dawn for a demanding Platteklip Gorge climb. You’ll follow the contour path, tackle steep rock steps, and reach Table Mountain for sunrise views. Headlamp, first aid, photos, and video are included, but the cable-car descent costs extra.

“Patrick was a fantastic guide, very patient and incredibly knowledgable about the wildlife and history of the area. I would recommend him to anyone interested in climbing Table Mountain. The hike itself is challenging (of course), we climbed up Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hiking Lion's Head for sunrise, coffee & hotel Pick-up & Drop off - The half-loop before twilight
Cape Town Hiking Tours, Coffee Experiences, Hikes with Hotel Pickup, Hiking Tours, Morning, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Tour Reviews

Hiking Lion’s Head for sunrise, coffee & hotel Pick-up & Drop off

15.Hiking Lion’s Head for sunrise, coffee & hotel Pick-up & Drop off

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $83

Meet your guide before dawn for a guided Lion’s Head hike in Table Mountain National Park. Headlamps light the first steep section, while the final ridge uses rocky steps and ladders. At the 669-meter summit, enjoy 360-degree views, sunrise over Table Mountain, and coffee before returning.

“Watching the sunrise on this hike was amazing and Patrick was an amazing guide. I have already recommended this hike to all of the travelers I’ve met heading to Cape Town.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hiking Table Mountain sunrise via Platteklip Gorge Morning Hike - Before dawn at the Table Mountain cableway
Canyon & Gorge Hikes, Canyon Hikes in Cape Town, Canyon Hikes in South Africa, Cape Town Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Morning, Mountain & Summit Hikes, Mountain Hikes in Cape Town, Mountain Hikes in South Africa, South Africa Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Cape Town, Sunrise Hikes in South Africa, Table Mountain Hikes, Tour Reviews

Hiking Table Mountain sunrise via Platteklip Gorge Morning Hike

19★ 5.0Hiking Table Mountain sunrise via Platteklip Gorge Morning HikeFrom $904 reviews

New in Sunrise Hikes in South Africa

★ 5.0Lion’s Head Hike-sunrise/sunset with professional private guideFrom $713 reviews

Keep browsing

Guided Day Hikes461Mountain & Summit Hikes442Waterfall Hikes247Glacier Hikes121Sunrise Hikes132Coastal & Cliff Walks68
Scroll to Top

Pick your terrain

Water, rock, ice or forest. Choose the terrain and the list follows.

Water

Waterfall HikesLake & Lagoon HikesCoastal WalksCanyon & Gorge HikesHot Spring Hikes

High ground

Summit HikesVolcano HikesGlacier HikesNational Park HikesSnowshoe Hikes

Light and pace

Sunrise HikesSunset HikesSmall-Group HikesPrivate Hiking ToursNature Walks

Easy going

Forest & Jungle HikesCave HikesDesert HikesHikes with LunchHikes with Hotel Pickup