SIGNAL HILL:

Signal Hill derives it's name from the days when a semaphore (communication) post on the side of the hill was used to send signals to ships in the harbour. Today, the hill is famous for the noon day gun - a canon that has been fired everyday except Sunday, since 1902. The firing of the noon day gun is carried out with military precision by the South African Astronomical Observatory who take such things quite seriously. An electric cartridge is loaded into the cannon which is then triggered remotely by the Observatory's master clock. Note that the noon day gun is not located at the top of Signal Hill, but rather a short distance down the side of the hill at Lion's Battery.

Signal Hill is also referred to as Lion's Rump due to it's position relative to Lion's Head. At 300m the hill affords an good view across the City Bowl and Table Bay. If you're unable to take the Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain, then Signal Hill is the next best thing.

Visiting the hill at night allows one to see the city lights and also provides an excellent vantage point from which to admire the floodlights that light up the side of Table Mountain in summer. But be warned that Signal Hill is not considered to be a safe place to visit at night.

LION'S HEAD:

There is a moderately strenuous hiking trail of about and hour and 50 minutes that spirals up around Lion's Head that gives a much better view of the city and also overlooks Camps Bay and Sea Point. The trail begins at a gravel parking lot located under a patch of bluegum trees near the beginning of Signal Hill Rd. There is quite a steep rock that you need to climb to reach the top, you can get up this with the help of  mountain chains. But for the less adventurous there is an alterative route which does take a bit longer. Loin's Head is a spectacular site during the full moon. Unfortunately a number of muggings have also been reported recently by hikers taking this trail also it isn't suitable for the elderly and young children.

DIRECTIONS:

• from the city head up Kloof Nek towards Camps Bay
• at the crest turn right into Signal Hill Rd
• follow this road for about 3 km until you reach the end