Lions Head B (Twirly-Whirly route)
Location: Start from the parking area on Signal Hill road where the circular gravel TM Parks access road begins, OR park on Signal Hill road below the Kramat and use the alternate path that eventually intersects the 360 deg path.
Overview: Do not attempt this route in wet weather. Lion's Head is often in good weather when the rest of the mountain is not. This route has some narrow ledges with big drops, and easy rock scrambling which should still be treated with caution.
Route Description:
Several variations to this route are possible which is why there are 3 slideshows to use as pictorial route descriptions. Start up the circular road, and branch off on the overgrown path to the big rock where one of the Fire watcher's huts used to be. Take a detour up left and around the corner to Wally's cave, then return along a contour to the lower old chains. NB Currently as at November 2020 this path to the old Fire Watcher's hut site and up to Wally's cave is CLOSED by SAN Parks.
With this closure the old lower chains cannot be accessed from this side nor by the overgrown path detour off the main 360 degree path where an attempt at a wall has tumbled down as SAN Parks have closed this as well. Instead either use the chains and staples route or the chains bypass path to get onto the large level platform below the 'Mane'.
Avoid the fence at the edge of the 'Mane' rock rib and traverse the ledge below the big white rock cliff that overlooks Clifton. Where this ends, descend slightly and turn towards the harbour and follow a narrow ledge all the way to above the Kramat below. Continue traversing and ascend the Tamboerskloof side to gain the summit ridge. Variations on the descent are also possible, including scrambling down the 'Mane' rock rib.
Due to several parts of the original Twirly-Whirly route being closed by SAN Parks and no information on whether or when the old paths will be re-opened this slideshow depicts an alternative hike that includes parts of the original, but also some new sections of 'B'scrambling. Note that the Granite slabs gully portion can be omitted for a much shorter hike.
NB Use the chevrons (arrowheads) next to the number of the slide to advance or reverse the slideshow so you can read the captions
NB2 The ladders that used to be used on the scramble sections (to get to the level where another Fire Watcher's hut existed years ago) have been removed (although one is now left abandoned in the wrong place).
NB3 What is referred to as Sea Point Gully is also called Fresnaye Crack in some guidebooks.