South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the popular spiral trail up Lion’s Head in Cape Town will close for maintenance.
“(SANParks) wishes to inform all Table Mountain National Parks (TMNP) visitors of the pending trail maintenance that will take place on Lions Head from January 7 to February 15,” read a statement issued by SANParks.
Successful completion of this much-needed intervention on the popular spiral trail up the summit requires full closure of the trail during the maintenance period, according to SANParks.
In 2017, a Trail Audit Report for the Lions Head and Signal Hill footpath network was completed. The outcome of the report resulted in recommendations to improve the longevity of the trail, safety of hikers in the area, and the environmental protection of Lions Head and Signal Hill.
Since the inception of the report, TMNP management has formulated a phased approach to implement the recommended actions. Minor work that would cause least interruption to use of the trail has been completed and includes closure of unauthorised pathways and lines, directional signage erected to guide hikers along the official trails and completion of the assessment for certification of the climbing infrastructure along the trail.
TMNP will now embark on one of the more intensive phases of the project, where the condition of the trail will be addressed.
Access will not be permitted to hikers or runners via the track entrance along Signal Hill Drive. This includes the restriction on access after sunset and before sunrise. Due to maintenance in progress SANParks and TMNP cannot guarantee the safe passage of visitors along the pathway and therefore the entire trail will be closed.
Signal Hill will remain open to the public as a viewing point.
