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A Guide to Signal Hill’s Historical Sites and Wonderful Sights
Whenever my family wants a day outside for some fresh air and blue skies, one of my top choices is Signal Hill. With its stunning view and grassy area for outdoor activities, I can understand why people insist on visiting this majestic work of nature while in Cape Town.
Curious about the things you can do there? These are fun and unique activities you can do (especially if you’re an adrenaline junkie like me) which will make your trip to Signal Hill memorable!
Where is Signal Hill?
Signal Hill is located within Cape Town, just northwest of the city’s central business district (CBD). It sits between the Lion’s Head and the Table Bay, which completes the Table Mountain range.
How to Get to Signal Hill
- Car: There’s a dedicated parking space at the summit of Signal Hill.
- Tour bus: The hop-on hop-off tour bus has Signal Hill as a part of its itinerary, so just alight on Signal Hill.
- Taxi: You can pin your dropoff at Signal Hill. The taxi rates usually range from ZAR 10 to ZAR 15 per kilometer.
History
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Before colonization, Signal Hill was a lookout point for the Khoisan people who lived in the area. However, around the mid-17th century, the Dutch East India Company turned the hill into an area for maritime communication and defense.
Around the 18th and 19th centuries, the hill became a main communication line for ships docking at Table Bay. They put flags as a way to transmit weather conditions, safe anchorage, and signs of danger.
What to Do
Tandem paraglide over beautiful scenery
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Website: https://hi5paragliding.co.za/
Address: 1 Signal Hill Rd
Contact info: +27 828 251 111
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
If you want to take in the scenery up in the clouds, then I highly recommend tandem paragliding with Hi5! It’s a great choice for people with an unquenchable desire for adventure.
What’s great about this experience is there’s an in-flight photo and video service to document your trip. I had a grand time, and most of my pictures were of me screaming in excitement!
| Pro tip: This experience has a weight limit and age requirement! The maximum weight limit is 115 kilograms, and the age range is 14 and above. |
Have a picnic
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My family loves going on picnics on Signal Hill, which has a perfect view of Table Mountain, Camps Bay, and Cape Town itself. There’s a lot of space in the area to roll a picnic mat and spread out your feast. Make sure you clean up after yourself when you’re done!
For the best experience, I recommend snagging a spot that faces Camps Bay. The picturesque view is the perfect image to work up an appetite. Plus, the sea breeze is refreshing and cooling even on a hot day.
| Pro tip: There are no nearby stores or restaurants on the hill, but Bo-Kaap and Sea Point are just a short drive away (which is about 7 minutes). |
Watch the Noon Gun
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Address: Lion Battery
While Cape Town is relatively chill, it has a tradition of firing cannons at exactly noon. This has been practiced since 1806, helping locals to keep their watches on time. Dating back to 1794, the guns are also known to be the oldest still-used cannons in the world.
They can be found at the Lion Battery, which is located beneath the peak of the hill. You need to go there early and secure a spot since this unique tradition is a popular pitstop for tourists!
| Pro tip: If you have young kids with you, bring mufflers to protect their ears. The cannon is extremely loud. |
Hike scenic trails
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Want to work up a sweat while enjoying the views? The hill has two trails you can explore—the Signal Hill Spine Trail and the Signal Hill Trail. Both are easy trails, so you don’t really need to pack your fancy hiking gear.
The Spine Trail is about 3 miles long, which will take you an hour to complete (I took longer because I love taking selfies!). The Signal Hill Trail is shorter, less than a kilometer long, and will only take you ten minutes to complete. It’s just long enough to take in the sights and work up an appetite for a picnic lunch!
| Pro tip: Even if it’s windy and cool, I recommend packing sunscreen and a big water jug for your hike! |
Admire the sunset with your loved ones
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One of the most romantic things you can do in Signal Hill is to watch the sunset and bask in the golden hour. It has the perfect view of the sun slowly sinking into the ocean.
My husband once took me there for a picnic date and set up LED candles (real candles would’ve been dangerous). It was memorable and romantic even if there was a bit of a crowd on our side of the hill.
| Pro tip: It can get windy and chilly really fast, so I recommend packing a jacket or shawl to keep yourself warm while you take in the sunset. |
Look for constellations
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Take in the night sky covered with stars on Signal Hill. From there, the sky is usually clear at night, and it’s just the perfect place to lie down and look for constellations with your family. If you have a telescope, try and look closely at nearby planets and other celestial bodies.
| Pro tip: If you have young kids, bring a portable lamp, as it might be too dark for them. I brought a small one to keep my kids from getting scared. |
Meditate in the early morning silence
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If you’re a yogi or just someone who wants to sit in silence, I highly recommend going here around sunrise to bask in the quiet. With the salty wind blowing and only the sounds of nature to fill your ears, you can easily slip into a meditative state.
| Pro tip: Pin down your mat on the ground for meditation. The winds can be strong around this hour, and you don’t want it blown away! |
Bike through scenic routes
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Signal Hill is one of the popular biking spots in Cape Town, so don’t forget to pack your bicycles for a scenic trip! While some cyclists choose the road to bike on, there are trails you can try out, such as Pat’s Access (a short but challenging downhill ride with a 914-foot elevation) and Signal Hill Drive (a slightly less challenging 2-mile ride).
My husband likes cycling on Pat’s Track, which is around 2 miles long, and it usually takes him around twenty minutes to complete. He works up a sweat (and appetite), so I always have a feast ready for him.
| Pro tip: My husband recommends cycling when the sun is high up; visibility is important. If you’re worried about the heat, there are rest stops under the trees for a quick water break. |
Look for wild birds
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There’s a lot of wildlife on Signal Hill, but it’s usually birds like ring-necked doves and speckled pigeons you get to see out and about. If you’re lucky enough, you might get approached by a helmeted guineafowl.
Even if we’re not avid birdwatchers, my kids and I still keep a keen eye out for them. I introduce them to my kids by printing out their photos with their corresponding names.
| Pro tip: Keep a safe distance from the birds (even if they’re docile and friendly). |
