Signal Hill

Signal Hill is the low, rounded hill that joins Lion's Head and overlooks the city centre, Green Point and the Atlantic Seaboard. At about 350 metres it is far lower than Table Mountain, but it offers some of the most accessible views in Cape Town, because a road leads almost to the top. It forms part of Table Mountain National Park.

The hill takes its name from its role in signalling to ships in Table Bay. For many years a time ball was used to signal the time so that ships could check their chronometers, a practice that ended in 1934. Today the Noon Gun, operated by the South African Navy, is still fired from the lower slopes above the Bo-Kaap, and the boom can be heard across the city centre at midday.

The summit is best known as a place to watch the sun go down over the Atlantic. From the car park and the open grass around it you can look across Sea Point and Green Point to the ocean, down to the stadium and the V&A Waterfront, and back towards Lion's Head and Table Mountain. On clear evenings in summer, locals bring picnics and drinks, and the atmosphere is relaxed.

The hill also has religious significance. Several kramats, the tombs of Muslim missionaries and religious leaders, stand on its slopes, and the most prominent is a white building with a green dome. Treat these sites with respect if you pass close by. The lower slopes and the road up are also a good vantage point for watching the city lights come on after dark, though it is wise to leave before it gets too late and not to linger alone in quiet parts of the hill.

Signal Hill Road branches off at Kloof Nek, where the road to Camps Bay and the Lion's Head trailhead also start. Arrive well before sunset in summer, when the car park fills quickly, or take a taxi or ride-hailing service. It is often windy and cooler at the top, so bring a jacket, and do not leave valuables visible in your car. Signal Hill suits everyone, including families and people who cannot manage a long hike, and you need only half an hour to an hour, though many people stay longer for the sunset.