South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that maintenance to the much-loved Lion’s Head trail will take place in 2019, meaning complete closure during the scheduled period.

Lion’s Head Closure

Table Mountain National Parks (TMNP) visitors are to be aware of the pending trail maintenance that will take place on Lions Head from 7 January 2019 to 15 February 2019. Successful completion of this much-needed intervention on the popular spiral trail up to the summit requires full closure of the trail during the maintenance period.

Improving Trail Longevity

During 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, the safety of hikers in the area and the environmental protection of the Lions Head and Signal Hill.

Since the inception of the report, the TMNP management has formulated a phased approach to implement the recommended actions. Minor work that would pose the least interrupted usage of the trail has been completed and includes the closure of unauthorised pathways and desire 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.

Lion’s Head Closure: What this means for climbers

No access will 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 the maintenance in progress SANparks cannot guarantee the safe passage of visitors along the pathway and hence the entire trail will be closed.

Signal Hill will remain open to the public as a viewing point.

For more information on which paths you may use for hiking or if you would like to talk to us, please visit the SANparks on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Alternatively, forward enquiries to: Mathabatha Matjila, Table Mountain National Park, Tel: 021 422 1601; Email

sanparks.org