The closure of a significant number of hiking trails, including iconic routes rich in history along the Hottentots-Holland Mountain range and immediate surrounds, is a baffling exercise that is increasingly frustrating hikers, mountaineers, members of Protected Area Advisory Committees (PAACs) and even tourism bodies that strongly advocate meaningful dialogue with CapeNature so they can better understand why such drastic steps are necessary – whether it be for rehabilitation, safety or another purpose.
And while this drags on, stakeholders have expressed concern that trails are being lost to nature as some have been closed for decades, no new trails are being opened, and the outdoor loving public is losing out on some of the most beautiful hikes and lookout points right on its doorstep.
A total of at least 18 trails are closed between Jonkershoek and the Hottentots–Holland Mountain range of at least 29, and these include two trails that lead up to Sneeukop, which at 1 590 m is the highest peak in the Hottentots-Holland Mountain Rim and dominates the Helderberg bowl. Others include the trail from Bergrivier Nek to Assegaaiboschkloof, the ascent of Haelkop from Assegaaiboch and the Jonkershoek and Nuweberg link trails, among others.
Steve Chadwick, a veteran mountaineer with 19 years of mountain-rescue experience, serves on three PAACs, and is part of a Facebook pressure group, Cape Mountain Trails Preservation (CMTP), which campaigns for the reopening of the many trails closed by CapeNature. He said trail access is a very sensitive issue as there are those who are completely fed-up with CapeNature and their seemingly continuous erosion of trails.
“CMTP has always taken a conciliatory stance and would like to move forward in cooperation with CapeNature,” Chadwick said. “I recently gave a chat on the current situation regarding trail access to one of our local hiking clubs. Interesting that it is often the conservative older members who support more action. Their point is that they would love to take their grandchildren on hikes that they enjoyed as youths and are very much afraid that if they wait for CapeNature, they will be dead before trails are reopened, and that they will never be able to share the delights of what they enjoyed with their grandchildren.”
He is adamant that among interested parties are experienced and expert professionals who can assist with surveys, restoration plans and advice on how to best go about re-opening a trail.
“But for some reason we are struggling to get a meaningful dialogue going and we’re seeing no progress on action taking place towards reopening of any of the closed trails. As far as I can remember, once CapeNature closes a trail, it’s never reopened.”
Members of hiking clubs also expressed frustration, stating that trail after trail is being formally closed and they are being barred from the mountains they love.
“Preservation of our natural areas is important, but so is preservation of the health of our society,” stated one hiker, identified only as Emma. “Keep the trails open. We are willing to help – please meet us halfway.”
Another member, identified only as Leslie, stated that hikers are an important constituency in the preservation of the Western Cape’s natural spaces.
“Hikers regularly access difficult terrain,” she said. “This means they can play an important role in citizen oversight of local government’s efforts, as well as supporting local government with voluntary initiatives.”
A member of the Mountaineering Club of South Africa (MCSA) stated that to deny access to our well-trodden Hottentots Holland hikes without proper public participation is “shameful”, while an eco-tourism operator stated that while the importance of safety and the challenges faced to maintain the trails is understandable, the closure of hiking trails will have a significant impact on tourism businesses and urged CapeNature to consider alternative solutions that balance issues with the needs of local businesses.
According to Petro van Rhyn, CapeNature’s General Manager for Advocacy, reasons for closure relate to risk, safety, environmental, budget and management concerns, illegal access and lack of demand. She said the trail going over Sneeukop (part of the old Boland Trail) has been closed for more than 15 years.
“This particular trail leads deep into the mountain with no communication, steep slopes and in winter high risk of slip and fall and hypothermia (temperatures are below zero with thick snowfall). Access is extremely limited and rescues in this area are very difficult. Chances of incidents are high and rescue is limited. If there were a fire in the area, for example, there is very slim to no chance of contacting or evacuating a hiking group in the area.”
Van Rhyn added some trails cross sensitive vegetation and wetlands, which CapeNature did not want to promote human access to.
“There were a number of rare-cum- endangered species close to the old trail,” she said, referring to the Sneeukop trail, “and the concern was that re-opening it would also increase risk of access to the species, trampling, introduction of alien species, among other concerns.
“There is insufficient capable staff and budget to maintain these trails (due to access, slope, available material and costs involved in flying material onto site), and there was an ongoing issue with illegal access to the huts. Instead of coming to Hottentots-Holland, people would walk up from Jonkershoek side and overnight at the hut without approvals, permits or keys. This meant they broke into the hut to stay over or would interfere with other users who had legally obtained permission to overnight at the huts (from the HH Nuweberg Side). The demand for using the trail was limited. Considering the safety and environmental risks as well as the budget required to maintain it, it would be irresponsible to re-open it.
“Furthermore, there are sufficient other trails not to have to risk the Sneeukop area as well. The trails are closed for rehabilitation purposes as they were significantly underused and CapeNature was maintaining them at a loss to the entity.
The routes that are mentioned are not part of CapeNature’s tourism offering and we do not encourage anyone hiking them as they are overgrown and not safe and no permits will be issued for it.”
But Chadwick disputed some of these concerns, stating that safety is of course important,
“I was in a mountain-rescue team for 19 years,” he said. “There were many highs, such as finding and bringing down people alive. And, of course, lows, when we found a body. Never in all that time, and since, has my old team ever said a trail or a climb must be closed. I don’t know of any team anywhere that has said this.” Chadwick stated that hiking, climbing and trail running in wild places come with risk. “Do we have the right to refuse access because of that fact? Each generation needs a challenge. Modalities for registering for a long hike can be worked out, including contact numbers in the event of emergency. CapeNature has created an issue by its own inaction and unwillingness to use outside voluntary help. A trail is closed, becomes overgrown, takes longer to find, so becomes an issue. A catch-22 of CapeNature’s own making.”
Chadwick suggested the way forward here is to be proactive. He said in nature reserves globally trails are managed, not closed. So the environmental concerns mentioned by CapeNature, he said, are unconvincing.
“The trails existed before for decades, some even for centuries. The environmental danger comes when trails are ‘closed’ and allowed to degrade. Sorry, I am not advocating this, but the trails will continue to be used by frustrated hill goers. So, maintain the trails and there will be no damage to surrounding fauna.” Chadwick says not many people are skilled in maintaining hiking trails.
“We, the Friends of Table Mountain do this now, but so far our overtures of help remain unresponded to. Recently CapeNature spent money building two unnecessary picnic tables and benches high in Jonkershoek. Hikers are happy with boulders, instead of using a tight budget on rehabilitating the Kurktrekker trail.”
Chadwick said the issue of legal access also comes down to management.
“Set up a system of booking trails – hikers would pay more for this privilege. ‘Illegal’ crossings will lessen, hut bookings will be better managed, and CapeNature’s income would improve. Also, manage the gate at Jonkershoek, vet where folk are heading, and if they are ‘allowed’ they will happily book in advance for the trail and the hut.”
Chadwick believes the Jonkershoek/Nuweberg trails are among the best and easiest-to follow trails in the very picturesque mountains.
He wondered why closure decisions are made without consultation with hikers.
“In CapeNature we have a governing body that is supposed to look after our wild places. We can look up at our beautiful mountains but that is all we can do. These trails are quietly being hiked and run anyway. Don’t try to stop it but, rather, manage it.”
