3 Things To Do Within 5km’s (Number Two)

This week, Damian and I decided to hike Lion’s Head. Lion’s Head is 4.4 km’s from our home and we have been wanting to do this particular hike for a while. We chose to use this Heritage Day long weekend to our advantage (sleep in late for two days and wake up early for one). Damian has been to the top of Lion’s Head before, however, this was to be my first time.

We woke up early this last Sunday (Heritage Day) and started our ascent of Lion’s Head. We really chose the perfect day to accomplish this hike. Besides it being Heritage Day and doing something quintessentially South African, it was also a cool and clear day. I was a bit nervous to do the hike as I don’t exercise regularly, or rather, at all. I found the ascent especially enjoyable. We stopped along the way regularly to take in the views and snap a few pics. We had amazing 360 degree views of beautiful Cape Town. We were able to see Table Mountain, Cape Town city, Signal Hill and Camps Bay. I also enjoyed the ‘gnarly’ parts of climbing ladders and using the handles to climb the rock face.

The hike was surprisingly quiet and we didn’t come across too many groups of people where you get held up. The last push to the top was tiring as you climb the last few steps. Damian and I made surprisingly good time to the summit. Once on the top, we sat and enjoyed the view for a few minutes before our descent.

The descent was quick, we didn’t stop too often to look at the view and ran part of the way. I am by no means an exercise fundi but I really enjoyed the hike. It made me feel active and energised. Should you decide to do the hike, I would recommend wearing comfortable trainers and activewear gear, take a bottle of water and put on some sunscreen.

Happy Heritage Day to all my fellow South Africans. I hope that you had a day filled with the best of South Africa.